J. Wray and Nephew Ltd.

J. Wray and Nephew

Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum 63%
Type	Rum
Region of origin	Jamaica
Introduced	1825; 200 years ago (1825)

J. Wray and Nephew Ltd. is a distiller, blender, and bottler of rum, originating and operating in Kingston, Jamaica.

History

In 1825, John Wray opened "The Shakespeare Tavern" in Kingston. In 1860, Wray brought in his nephew Charles James Ward to run the business side of the company. Wray retired in 1862 and died in 1870, leaving Ward as the sole proprietor of the business.[1]

Ward developed the tavern and liquor-dealing concern into one of Jamaica's largest exporting commercial enterprises. At the International Exhibition held in London in 1862, J. Wray and Nephew won three gold medals for its 10-, 15- and 25-year-old rums. The company's rums also won several awards and prizes at international exhibitions in Paris—1878, Amsterdam—1883, New Orleans—1885 and Jamaica 1891.

In 1916, Lindo Brothers & Co purchased Wray & Nephew. Almost immediately thereafter, the new company, J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., purchased the Appleton Estates, a plantation which had produced rum throughout the period of chattel slavery. The Appleton Estate distillery was established in 1749.[2]

In 1997, Joy Spence was made the master blender at J. Wray and Nephew—the first woman ever to occupy this position in the industry.[3]

In late 2012, Wray & Nephew was purchased by the Campari Group.[4]

In 2021, the company launched Wray Forward, a program to support UK Black founders and businesses.[5]

Brands

Rums currently produced by J. Wray & Nephew include:[1]

Brand	Notes
Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum	ABV 63%. Widely popular in Jamaica, often mixed by locals with Ting ("Wray & Ting"), sometimes used in rituals.[6]
J. Wray Gold Jamaican Rum
Sainsbury's Superior Dark Rum	Gold medal, Rum category, 2010 International Wine and Spirit Awards[7]
Coruba Jamaica Rum
Appleton Special Jamaica Rum
Appleton Estates Jamaica Rums	Brands : Signature, Magnum Tonic Wine, 8-Year-Old Reserve, 12-Year-Old Rare Casks, 15-Year-Old Black River Casks, Master Blender's Legacy, 21-Year-Old Nassau Valley Casks, Blackwell Rum. The estate encompasses more than 4,452 ha (11,000 acres) of sugarcane, a sugarcane refinery, and the distillery.[8]
Koko Kanu
Old Tom Gin

Rare 1940s bottles of Wray and Nephew rum are valued at $54,000 a bottle.[9]

References

1. Hlousek, Petr. "J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. (Jamaica)". Peter's Rum Labels.
2. Meara, Mallory (2021). Girly drinks: a world history of women and alcohol. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Hanover Square Press. p. 307. ISBN 978-1-335-28240-8. OCLC 1273729039.
3. "Interview: Joy Spence, Master blender, J Wray and Nephew Ltd, Jamaica". Harpers. 28 June 2005. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
4. Britner, Lucy (3 September 2012). "Campari buys Appleton rum brand". drinksint.com. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
5. Feilden, Eloise (19 April 2024). "Wray & Nephew launches fund to support Black businesses". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
6. Punch (29 August 2018). "How Wray & Ting Became the Unofficial Drink of Jamaica". PUNCH. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
7. "j Sainsbury's Superior Dark Rum".^[permanent dead link‍]
8. "Wray & Nephew – Overproof Rum – Royal Mile Whiskies  – Royal Mile Whiskies". www.royalmilewhiskies.com.
9. "5 of the World's Most Expensive Rums Ever Sold". Bottle Raiders. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2024.