Rum was the drink of the New World, a bold brew of molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane, found in the tankards of both gentlemen and scallywags. According to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, by 1770, there were more than 140 rum distilleries making about 4.8 million gallons annually across the American colonies. 

Today, Chesapeake Bay Distillery [LINK] and Virginia Eats + Drinks [LINK] partner to bring you 4 Farthing Spiced Rum, a historically-inspired rum harkening back to the days when tall ships lined the Norfolk, Va. waterfront, then known as Four Farthing Point, with exotic spices from the Caribbean, including ingredients to make America’s first drink - rum.

4 Farthing Spiced Rum is the perfect blend of those spices, creating a spirit great for sipping or mixing in your favorite cocktails. Cocktail recipes coming soon.

Find 4 Farthing Spiced Rum at Chesapeake Bay Distillery, located in the ViBe District at 437 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. and special order at ABC stores across Virginia (and in stores at the beginning of 2020). Find the closest ABC store to you here [LINK]

A STATEMENT ON RUM’S DARK SIDE

A good part of the New World’s colonization took place at the abhorrent abuse of others. This included the Triangle Trade between England, Africa, and North America where slavery was a detestable part of the equation. 

The Triangle Trade included the shipment of commodities between each point in the triad, including tobacco, molasses, sugar, rum, spices, and, disturbingly, enslaved humans. 

Four Farthing Spiced Rum strongly condemns this historic practice, and in no way intends to glorify it with our product. 

Four Farthing Spiced Rum looks solely at the historic flavors of 17th and 18th century Virginia in an effort to create an imbibe for adults of all walks of life to enjoy responsibly.