By Emma Sun
FEW people can call themselves a Bundaberg Rum patriot, but Berwick’s Glenn Hamilton can proudly consider himself one of them.
The self-proclaimed connoisseur of rum is a true enthusiast and has enjoyed the rum for more than 15 years.
He began collecting limited edition bottles a few years ago and currently has more than 20 bottles in his collection.
“I just like watching the value appreciate, not that I’d ever sell them but that sort of hooks me in,” Glenn said.
“I think I’d keep them for my collection because I like watching the collection get bigger too.”
The 35-year-old assumes his inclination towards Bundaberg Rum originated from his old place of residence, in Queensland.
“I think it’s more of a Queensland drink, so that’s probably why I like it,” he said.
“I don’t really enjoy any other alcohol, I do just stick to the rum.”
So keen was his interest that when he entered a competition to be one of the first 30 people to try the Port Barrel rum from the Master Distiller’s Range, he was selected.
He thought he would get a free bottle from the experience and he did… a 30ml sample.
“I think it is probably the best tasting one, ever, so I ended up buying four more since then,” Glenn said.
“It was aged in the old port barrels, which gives it a unique flavour and it’s very smooth. It’s also a limited edition so you definitely wouldn’t just go and get it and take it to a party.”
Glenn makes a habit of buying two bottles of every limited edition rum in order to have one bottle to enjoy and another for his collection.
He said his friends and family haven’t been as appreciative of his collection as he is.
“My wife likes to tell me how much money I’ve spent over the years because she thinks it’s a waste of money.”
Despite what other people think, Glenn said he would continue collecting Bundaberg Rum for years to come, and has even persuaded others to enjoy his taste too.
“I’ll definitely keep collecting it,” he said.
“I always try to convert bourbon drinkers to rum by giving them different rums because everyone knows the plain Bundaberg Rum and not about the different types.
“I’ve converted a few and my father-in-law in particular, who used to always drink Bacardi and now drinks Bundaberg Rum as well.”
