New El Dorado blend marks DDL’s 12-year partnership with CPL

Marking its 12th year as the spirit of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Demerara Distillers Limited on Monday evening took the opportunity to launch their El Dorado Master Blender 2024 Special Edition Rum, which has become a customary practice prior to the commencement of the Biggest Party in Sport annually.
The Marriott Hotel was transformed into a buzz of activity when this event was held.
Aged for 12 years, the new El Dorado blend features historical marques from the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still, Versailles Single Wooden Pot Still, the Uitvlugt French Savalle Still, and the Diamond Coffey Still. According to the company, the El Dorado Master Blender Special Edition Rum embodies the essence of DDL’s 12-year partnership with CPL — a journey marked by passion, commitment, camaraderie, and countless unforgettable moments. Just as CPL brings the Caribbean and the world together through cricket, this rum unites rich flavours to deliver an experience that’s meant to be savoured with every sip.

Sharing remarks during the unveiling on Monday, DDL’s Chairman Komal Samaroo spoke of the relationship between rum and cricket, indicating why DDL seized the opportunity to partner with the CPL.
“Now rum is part of the history of this country as sugar was, and cricket was a game that was promoted by the sugar industry. On the sugar estates, there (were) cricket fields, and the industry promoted and built cricket in Guyana. So, rum and cricket are related through the sugar industry,” Samaroo elucidated.
He went on to add, “And so, when the CPL started here in the Region 12 years ago, we thought that this is a good time to link our Rum brand to the game of cricket, because we have produced so many great players who have made their name on the global cricket stage. So, Guyana is famous for two things on the global stage: great rums and great cricketers.”

Master Blender at DDL, Sharon Sue-Hang-Baksh, was on hand to take the audience through the notes of the new Rum blend.
“The three main notes [of smell] that we’re looking for is the honey roasted nuts, the caramelised carambola or dried fruit, and the banana. So, the three key notes on the taste (are) the aniseed, the clove and the molasses. So, that’s your 2024 CPL Rum blend,” Sue-Hang-Baksh related during a taste test.
In a statement, CPL CEO Pete Russell shared, “Demerara Distillers Limited has been a fantastic partner for the CPL since the tournament’s inception in 2013, and we are delighted to still have them supporting us and Caribbean cricket as we enter our 12th tournament.
“The CPL is the Biggest Party in Sport, and the responsible enjoyment of El Dorado has done much to make the tournament what it is today. We would like to thank them for once again joining us in bringing the Caribbean vibes to the world, and look forward to our partnership continuing for many years to come.”
The El Dorado Master Blender 2024 Special Edition Rum will be available for purchase in local retail and duty-free stores. (G6)