The fourth generation to take the helm at his family firm, Richard Seale has super-premium rum running through his veins. His great grandfather, Reginald Leon Seale, founded rum distribution company R L Seale & Co in Bridgetown in 1926. Richard joined the business in 1993, and quickly set about turning a 17th century sugar factory into one of the world’s most compelling rum distilleries.
Seale was the driving force behind the creation of Foursquare, which sets the benchmark for what a Caribbean distillery can be. The straight-talking master blender is on a mission to shake up the category and dispel disparaging myths around rum.
For episode 102 of The Drinking Hour, Seale – the IWSC’s Industry Champion for 2023 – joins host David Kermode to discuss the history of rum in the West Indies, the sense of place that defines rum from Barbados, why quality rum deserves a place at the top table, and the trials and tribulations of working for a family business. He also touches on why he feels rum is the most diverse spirits category out there, and his ambition to capture the essence of the raw material in his rums, while adding complexity through the ageing process.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here
