NATIONAL Rums of Jamaica Limited (NRJ), owners and operators of Long Pond Distillers and Clarendon Distillery Limited, has gone to court to challenge the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) decision of 2 October regarding the geographical indication of ‘Jamaican Rum’.

The almost four-year struggle over the definition of Jamaican rum ended when JIPO added the word “only” to its criteria for Jamaican rum; this is a change that prevents the soul from aging outside the island.

The change was one of eight rules added to the Jamaican rum geographical indication by the JIPO due to a dispute between the NRJ and the Spirits Pool Association.

But the NRJ has now gone to court for what it says is “an effort to protect the legacy and value of its brands and those of its buyers who have helped establish Jamaican rum as a premium product around the world.”

According to the NRJ, the appeal was filed with the Supreme Court on October 31, 2024, and raises important issues for the court to review and decide.

The NRJ, which has aged some of its Greeks abroad, also requested urgent assistance from the court pending the hearing of the appeal, given the immediate consequences arising from the decision and subsequent actions taken by the registrar.

“For more than two centuries, NRJ and its predecessor companies and distilleries have proudly contributed to Jamaica’s rum tradition, building a global reputation that supports both Jamaica’s economy and its rich cultural heritage,” said Martha Miller, NRJ’s chief executive officer.

“This enduring tradition, adopted by leading international spirits brands sourcing Jamaican rum from NRJ, has not only solidified the global standing of our brands, but has also sustained hundreds of Jamaican families, businesses and communities, particularly in Clarendon and Trelawny. “We expect the decision to be reviewed by the courts,” Miller added.

He said NRJ is committed to preserving the essence of Jamaican rum and defending the long-standing traditions that have earned it worldwide respect.

The Spirits Pool Association represents four major distilleries: National Rums, J Wray & Nephew, Worthy Park and Everglades Farms Limited.

Following JIPO’s decision, the Spirits Pool Association said in a press release: “As a result of this decision, our public will be reassured that Jamaican rum can only be produced in Jamaica using naturally filtered limestone water from limited and specific geographical areas and molasses using special stills made of copper.” and produced from sugarcane substrates such as sugarcane juice, aged in small barrels made of food-grade wood, no larger than 250 litres, and most importantly, no sugar or other substances are added after distillation and it is aged exclusively in Jamaica.”

NRJ is represented in court by Lindo Legal, who instructed Patrick Foster, KC, Grace Lindo and Mark Paul Cowan on the appeal.