Summer is officially here and what better way to celebrate than with a rum cocktail - made with rum you’ve created yourself? After the pandemic forced them to close down temporarily, the Hotham’s team are back and better than ever in a stunning new venue, and with a brand new Rum School alongside their popular Gin School.

Based on their acclaimed Gin School model, guests will be treated to an insight into the world of rum before putting their newfound knowledge to the test by crafting their very own full-sized bottle of spiced rum. Of course, there’s plenty of rum sampling on the way, including Hotham’s twists on some classic rum cocktails. The school makes for a memorable day, corporate event or birthday treat and can cater to both small and large groups.

The post-lockdown launch of Rum School coincides with Hotham’s Distillery’s latest creation - a Spiced Rum showcasing founders Emma Kinton and Simon Pownall’s favourite flavours.

Simon described their new venture: “It’s been two years, two months and two days since we started work on creating our Spiced Rum, and we’ve had a lot of fun on the way. We’ve been trialling the rum in our Leeds Distillery Bar, and it’s gone down so well with our guests. They’re loving the fact that it’s not just a sweet rum - you can actually taste the spices and fruits we use. Rum School is a chance for us to share something of the journey we’ve been on over the past couple of years, and we’re sure that our guests will love making their own spiced rum as much as we do. We’ve picked some great cocktails too so that guests can get a feel for some of the different styles of rum out there.”

Hotham’s have recently celebrated their third birthday, having first launched their Gin School and Distillery in Hepwoth’s Arcade. Inspired by their shared love of artisan gins and the gin-making process, the brand enjoyed almost immediate success, thrilling both locals and critics alike with their expertly-crafted gins and vodkas.

The awards came thick and fast for the boutique distillery, kicking off with the local Food and Drink Awards, where they walked away with the Yorkshire Drink Award for their Hotham’s Cardamom Gin. This was closely followed with a Silver Medal at the 2019 International Wine and Spirit Competition, and four wins at the White Rose Awards 2019. The White Rose awards were particularly special, and included Gold for ‘Yorkshire Experience of the Year’, two silvers for ‘New Tourism Business’ and ‘Small Visitor Attraction’ and bronze for the ‘Producer and Makers Award.’

The popular Gin School came up trumps again in 2020, winning the White Rose Gold Award once again for ‘Experience of the Year’, and the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Award for ‘Remarkable Experience of the Year 2020’. The Hotham’s trophy cabinet received yet another addition with a Silver Award for ‘New Tourism Business’ in the coveted VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020.

The team were delighted to repeat their success in 2021, scooping silver medals for Hotham’s Cardamom Gin, Original Gin and Botanical Orange Vodka and a bronze for Hotham’s Leeds Dry Gin, in the prestigious London Spirits Competition 2021

The company recently relocated their award-winning distillery and Gin School to the luxury redevelopment of the old HSBC bank on Whitefriargate. Built in 1879, the Grade 2 listed building boasts stunning architectural features and the quirky design that Hotham’s has come to be associated with.

Co-founder Emma Kinton had this to say ahead of the Hotham’s Rum School launch: “Lockdown has been a tough time for everyone, but we’re seeing a steady return of guests who can’t wait to get out and make some memories. Our Rum and Gin Schools are a great way to spend time with friends, and we’re all geared up to offer visitors an unforgettable experience that’s fun, informative and, above all, safe.

“We have some very exciting plans for our new home on Whitefriargate, and Rum School is just the first. We’re so thrilled to be welcoming people back and giving our guests the best experience we can, whether that’s at our Rum and Gin Schools or our bars. We don’t just make spirits - we make memories!”

Book your place at hullginschool.co.uk