King Charles samples specially distilled rum in Guyana

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 12:29 · Archive

King Charles drank a limited-edition rum called Royal Welcome during a state visit to Guyana.

King Charles drank a specially distilled rum during the beginning of a two-day state visit to Guyana. The limited-edition spirit, called Royal Welcome and dated 2026, was made by Guyanese food and beverage company Banks DIH and is more than 20 years old. It was presented to the King during a cultural evening hosted by Guyana's president, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, following talks between the pair.

The King smelt the rum before sipping it, pulling a surprised face and laughing as he gave his verdict of 'very good'. Before trying it, he asked guests: 'Do you drink this? Endless rum punches at the end of the day?' President Ali encouraged him to drink it, and King Charles took another sip before joking: 'That's very kind. Somebody else will have to finish it!'

Gregory Garraway, Banks DIH's rum plant executive, said: 'We wanted the King's visit to be something he could actually taste. Our description of the rum is extremely smooth, rich and flavourful and he loved it.' The cultural evening was attended by British figures with connections to Guyana, including musician Eddy Grant and former justice secretary David Lammy, whose parents came from the country.

King Charles arrived in Guyana from the Bahamas as part of a nine-day Caribbean tour, which will end in Antigua and Barbuda.

How it is being reported

• King Charles drinks specially distilled rum during Guyana tripKing Charles III has drunk some specially distilled rum during his trip to Guyana.Oxford Mail · 30 Oct, 12:00
• King Charles drinks specially distilled rum during Guyana tripKing Charles III has drunk some specially distilled rum during his trip to Guyana.Oxfordshire Guardian · 30 Oct, 12:00

In this story: King Charles III · Mohamed Irfaan Ali · Banks DIH · Gregory Garraway · David Lammy · Eddy Grant · Guyana

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