Guyana’s XM rums, Maximum Vodka strike gold at Monde awards 

Banks DIH has secured yet another international accolade, with XM Rum and Spirits recently winning gold medals at the prestigious Monde Selection International Quality Awards for its premium aged rums and vodka.
The company’s five-, 12-, and 15-year-old rums, along with Maximum Vodka, earned gold medals at the internationally recognised Monde Selection Quality Awards. Company officials attributed the recognition to employees’ dedication, precision, patience, and the company’s longstanding commitment to maintaining global quality standards and excellence in taste, aroma, and craftsmanship.
Only a few weeks ago, Banks DIH Limited received the 2026 Monde Selection International Gold Quality Award, securing multiple Gold Quality Awards across five of its outstanding beverages.
Monde Selection is a globally renowned quality institute. A gold medal from the organisation signals excellence in taste, aroma, and craftsmanship. Management said this international recognition belongs entirely to the dedicated employees of the Rum Factory, adding that their patience, precision, and hard work made the achievement possible.

Before delving into the details of the award, Rum Factory Executive Gregory Garraway explained that the recognition is strongly backed by the company’s commitment to global standards.
“I am proud to highlight that our rum and vodka plant is fully ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management certified and ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management certified,” he said.
He also stated that the achievement reflects Guyanese excellence competing and succeeding on the world stage. Addressing employees of Banks DIH Limited, he added that the gold medals are the result of collective effort aligned with the company’s mission statement.
“We are committed to building on our tradition of excellence by providing quality products and services, financial results, and management performance that meet the interests of our shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate.”
He further emphasised that innovation has been central to earning the recognition, highlighting the XM rums as key examples.
“That fusion of legacy and innovation is why we win today. Every rum we craft begins with premium alcohol, aged to perfection in oak bourbon barrels. Each bottle carries a distinct character that reflects its precise age,” he explained.
He noted that the XM Five-Year-Old Rum offers a versatile and well-balanced profile within the XM portfolio. Matured for five years, it achieves a pleasing harmony between oak influence and vibrant fruit character, making it both approachable and premium in style.
He described it as golden amber in appearance with brilliant clarity, delivering fresh tropical fruit aromas accented by hints of oak, molasses, and vanilla. Medium-bodied on the palate, it features notes of ripe banana, caramel, gentle spice, and light wood, followed by a smooth, warm, and remarkably clean finish.
He further highlighted that the XM 12-Year-Old Special Rum is another distinguished expression of Guyana’s rum-making heritage.
“Our XM 12-Year-Old Special, aged for twelve years in oak casks, has developed remarkable depth and complexity while remaining one of the Caribbean’s most respected rum profiles. With its deep amber colour and mahogany highlights, it presents rich aromas of vanilla, toasted oak, dried fruit, and warm baking spices.”
Turning attention to the XM 15-Year-Old Rum, he described it as one of the pinnacle expressions of the company’s rum-making excellence. Carefully matured in oak casks, this prestigious blend commands respect among rum connoisseurs worldwide. Complex, refined, and deeply satisfying, it embodies the rich heritage of Guyana’s rum-making tradition.
He added that the XM 15-Year-Old Rum delivers a full-bodied and exceptionally smooth profile with layers of caramel, ripe tropical fruit, dark chocolate, and aged wood, finishing with lingering notes of oak and vanilla.
He further highlighted the maximum vodka as a key product in the range.
“Maximum Vodka stands as Banks DIH’s flagship premium vodka, produced to the highest standards of quality and consistency for discerning consumers who expect excellence in every glass.”
Some weeks ago, the award-winning products spun across many of the company’s signature beverages in the beer award category, including Banks Beer, Classic Premium Lager Beer, Malta Supreme Coconut and Ginseng, Malta Supreme 0.0 per cent and Sorrel Shandy, evidence of the consistent, high-calibre standards that Banks DIH Limited has maintained throughout its over 70-year history of production excellence.