The Pirate Story Behind an Award-Winning Welsh Rum

The Pirate Story Behind the Award-Winning Barti Rum

A Pirate’s Tale and a Pembrokeshire Spirit

Wales is a land steeped in myth, legend, and maritime mystery. From ancient druids to daring sea captains, the coastline of Pembrokeshire has long inspired stories that blend fact with folklore. Among these tales sails a pirate with a soul as bold as the waves—Bartholomew Roberts, better known as Barti Ddu, Wales’s most notorious buccaneer.

In 2017, a new chapter in Welsh legend began when Barti Rum was born on the shores of West Wales. More than just a drink, Barti Rum is a celebration of history, flavour, and local craftsmanship. A uniquely Welsh spiced rum infused with a taste of the sea and a swashbuckling spirit, it’s fast become one of the UK’s most acclaimed artisan rums.

The Legend of Barti Ddu: Pembrokeshire’s Pirate Prince

To understand Barti Rum is to understand the pirate who inspired it. Bartholomew Roberts, born in 1682 in Casnewydd Bach, Pembrokeshire, may not be a household name like Blackbeard or Captain Kidd—but he should be. Known as Barti Ddu (Black Bart), Roberts was one of the most successful pirates of the Golden Age, capturing over 400 ships in a career that spanned just four years.

Barti Ddu was known not only for his daring but for his unusual discipline and charisma. Unlike many pirates of his time, he implemented rules aboard his ships, including bans on gambling and drunkenness, and was rumoured to conduct himself with a surprising degree of civility. He was a figure of both fear and admiration—and now, centuries later, his legacy has been bottled with finesse in Barti Rum.

The Flavour of Barti Rum – A Taste of the Pembrokeshire Coast

Barti Rum is no ordinary spiced rum. It brings together the warmth and sweetness you expect, with a surprising ingredient that firmly anchors it to its coastal homeland: wild hand-foraged laver seaweed from Pembrokeshire.

Yes, seaweed—and it works beautifully.

Spiced with notes of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and sweet citrus, the Caribbean base rum is expertly blended with this unique Welsh seaweed to create a flavour that’s subtly savoury, rounded, and unmistakably coastal. The result is a spiced rum with depth, complexity, and a smoothness that appeals to both seasoned rum lovers and newcomers alike.

By using laver—an ingredient that’s long been part of traditional local Welsh produce—Barti Rum doesn’t just pay homage to the sea; it integrates the very essence of Pembrokeshire into every bottle. It’s a proud example of Welsh tradition meeting global craft.

From Local Story to National Success

Launched in 2017, Barti Rum began as a small, ambitious idea: to create a drink that would honour Pembrokeshire’s rich coastal culture and the legendary Barti Ddu. But it wasn’t long before this distinctive Welsh rum caught the attention of critics and customers alike.

With bold branding, a compelling backstory, and—most importantly—a delicious product, Barti Rum quickly sailed from local favourite to national acclaim. Today, it is widely recognised as one of the UK’s best-tasting spiced rums. The company has become a symbol of modern Welsh entrepreneurial spirit, proving that a small idea born in the west can make waves across the country.

Behind the scenes, the Barti Rum team continues to source and produce with care, never losing sight of their Pembrokeshire roots. They’ve demonstrated how regional identity, when embraced authentically, can become a powerful brand asset.

How to Enjoy Barti Rum

Whether you’re a seasoned rum enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Barti Rum offers a range of ways to enjoy its rich, spiced character.

• Sip it Neat or Over Ice: The rum is smooth enough to drink straight, allowing you to savour the full depth of its spices and the subtle umami hint of seaweed. Over ice, it’s a coastal breeze in a glass.
• Add a Splash of Mixer: Pair Barti Rum with a premium ginger beer or cola for a refreshing, easy-drinking serve that still lets the unique flavour profile shine through.
• Cocktail Creations: The rum’s warmth and complexity make it ideal for cocktails. Try it in a spiced rum mojito, a coastal twist on a dark and stormy, or even a Welsh espresso martini.

Whatever your preference, Barti Rum elevates the experience with its quality and character, enhancing traditional rum cocktails with a uniquely Welsh twist.

A Welsh Legend, Reborn in a Bottle

Barti Rum is more than a drink—it’s a story in a bottle. A tribute to Pembrokeshire’s coast, to Welsh ingenuity, and to a pirate who once ruled the seas, this Welsh spiced rum has earned its place among the finest in the UK.

Rooted in local heritage and driven by a spirit of boldness and creativity, Barti Rum proves that modern Welsh brands can honour the past while innovating for the future. Barti Rum is yet another part of a new wave of passionate Welsh producers, from coastal spirits to artisan coffee roasters like Mug Run.

Ready to discover the pirate spirit of Pembrokeshire for yourself?

Raise a glass to Barti Ddu—and to the new Welsh legends being written every day.