An artisan rum distillery has won a prestigious award for its spirit and is now set to bring out even more flavours in 2023.

Goldstone Rum began producing its premium alcohol in 2022, becoming the newest in the spirit’s growing market.

Now husband-and-wife team John and Georgina Bowell have been recognised for their efforts after their classic white rum won a silver medal in the London Spirit Competition.

Georgina, who helps to run the business alongside her job in marketing, said: “It has been a whirlwind and we were a bit shocked by the award win.

“We are still new and some really established brands have won that award.”

The Argus: John and Georgina BowellJohn and Georgina Bowell (Image: Goldstone Rum)

John added: “We are delighted to be recognised on a global stage for our quality Sussex Rum. The development and hard work sourcing fine ingredients to make our rum has played centre stage in winning the silver medal and we are excited to see where this year takes us.”

Judges at the competition described the white rum as “elegant and smooth on the nose and palate with herbaceous hits and a sweet finish”.

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John and Georgina areready to expand their Henfield-based business with new flavours including spiced and amber rums.

Goldstone will also release flavoured rums such as a ginger and lime spirit, which is a play on the Dark and Stormy cocktail.

So far, the distillery has sold over 500 bottles of their premium spirit in four months, with bottles available in around 40 bars, restaurants and off-licenses across Brighton, Sussex and Kent.

The distillery’s amber rum was a featured spirit in the Craft Rum Club, a subscription delivery service for premium spirits.

The Argus: The Spirit Lab rum making school based at the distilleryThe Spirit Lab rum making school based at the distillery (Image: Goldstone Rum)

It is designed as a sipping rum and is made to be enjoyed neat or with mixers.

Georgina said: “Everyone is really behind the local nature of the product and what we are doing, it has been quite humbling.

“The Ivy restaurant have some bottles and they just keep asking us for more. It’s really nice to see that people have been enjoying it and giving great feedback.”

The distillery has now also launched distillery tours and a rum school, where groups can make their own customised bottle of rum or gin and take it home with them.