On September 16, Agitator Chestnut Reserve Rum will be launched at Systembolaget, marking the first large-scale Swedish rum. Agitator, the whisky producer behind Sweden’s best-selling whisky, has created this new rum based on the same successful philosophy of quality and innovation.
The innovative and award-winning Agitator has demonstrated since its first whisky launch in 2021 that it’s possible to think differently in spirit production. By challenging conventional methods of fermentation, distillation, and aging, this forward-thinking craft distillery has reshaped the whisky world. Now, their focus is on the next trend and beverage: rum.
“The interest in rum has never been greater,” says Oskar Kalmaru, CEO of Agitator. “We in Sweden have already proven that we can create our own interpretations of gin and whisky that are so good they win international awards, but there’s never been a serious attempt with rum. We believe the time is now.”
The Swedish spirit phenomenon is built on historical traditions and has grown internationally in modern times with Absolut Vodka and continued with domestic pioneers like Hernö Gin. Swedish food and drink account for hundreds of billions annually in exports, and the industry is flourishing thanks to entrepreneurs and local efforts that challenge the global giants. Moreover, spirits are the second-largest and fastest-growing category in the Swedish beverage industry, according to the latest Beverage Industry Report.
“It’s simply typical of Sweden to produce high-quality spirits,” says Oskar Bruno, Agitator’s distillery chief and co-founder. “Many probably associate rum with the Caribbean, but now, for the first time, we’re creating a distinctly Swedish rum through genuine Swedish craftsmanship.”
Proven methods
Agitator Chestnut Reserve Rum will be launched at Systembolaget on September 16, 2024, becoming a permanent addition to Agitator’s product range. The innovative whisky production methods for which the distillery is known also form the basis for creating this new rum.
First, the molasses is fermented using Agitator’s special yeast blend. The future rum is then vacuum-distilled under low pressure and at low temperatures in the distillery’s copper stills—half in tall stills and half in short ones. The different characteristics of these stills result in a uniquely complex raw spirit. For aging, Agitator employs the same method used in whisky aging: the raw spirit is diluted to 55 percent instead of the usual 65 percent to enhance the cask character of the rum, and it is then aged in Agitator’s signature chestnut casks for a more pronounced wood sweetness.
Vacuum distillation reduces energy consumption and is gentle on the raw materials, which, combined with the lower alcohol content during aging, creates a smoother, cleaner, and more natural flavor.