We’re proud to be Welsh and we’re passionate about Pembrokeshire so it was only natural that we work with Welsh funders who share our vision of Barti becoming the best-selling rum in the world.
Jonathan Williams, Director
Business overview
Barti Rum specializes in crafting premium spiced rum infused with unique ingredients from the Pembrokeshire coast.
The company blends the finest Caribbean rum with vibrant notes of vanilla and hand-picked laver seaweed, creating a smooth and flavourful spirit.
Founder
Jonathan Williams - Jonathan set up Bartin Rum in the summer of 2017. He was once described as a ‘crazy seaweed man’ by TV Chef James Martin.
Jonathan also runs The Old Point House, East Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire where the menu is infamous for seaweed lobster rolls, sea plant salads and beach burgers at ‘Café Mor’at Angle near Pembroke.
Business purpose
In 2017, Jonathan wanted to combine his favourite things, Seaweed and rum. He began developing the flavour profile and sourcing expertly distilled rum from the Caribbean.
Despite the hardship for the hospitality sector during the pandemic, Barti secures itself as the third best-selling spirit in the portfolio of the biggest regional food service wholesaler in Wales, behind only mainstream brands Gordon’s Gin and Smirnoff Vodka.
The Pembrokeshire-based business uses vanilla, cinnamon, clove and sweet citrus to make up the main flavour profile of its Barti Spiced Rum and Barti Cream Liqueur. Wild laver seaweed is infused before being bottled in recycled glass and branded using labels that are a biproduct of cane sugar at bottling and distribution unites in Neyland and Hensol in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Now stocked by Tesco and Co-op, the award-winning Barti Spiced Rum and Barti Cream Liqueur are available in retail stores throughout Wales in addition to independent outlets and online.
Barti Rum are also certified as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing movement of companies that are reinventing business for the benefit of all people and our shared planet. Verified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, the achievement demonstrates that Barti Rum meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Working with us
Barti were able to scale-up production with a £200,000 investment from the Development Bank of Wales and a loan of £27,000 from Pembrokeshire Lottery. The loans were used to fund product development and pursue export global opportunities in Canada and Japan. Barti also looked to build a bespoke mobile bar for use at outdoor events.
What people are saying
This is the golden quarter for our industry, so it was important that we had the working capital required to purchase the stock needed to fulfil the increasing demand from Tesco and Co-op customers. We are also excited to be developing some new products as well as exploring export opportunities for our product range.
Barti is a great tasting and stylish product that celebrates Pembrokeshire and is also environmentally friendly. We’re proud to be Welsh and we’re passionate about Pembrokeshire so it was only natural that we work with Welsh funders who share our vision of Barti becoming the best-selling rum in the world.
Jonathan Williams, Director, Barti Rum
Jonathan has turned his passion for cooking, local storytelling, sustainability and the sea into a thriving business that has every potential of becoming another great Welsh export given the increasing market demand for premium, artisanal craft drinks. Barti is a great brand that is gathering real momentum with customers wanting to enjoy a unique flavour combination. The mobile bar will mean that Barti will be found at events and festivals next year in addition to a growing list of retail stockists.
Kelly Jones, Portfolio Executive, Development Bank of Wales
