Rum made from seaweed from the Yorkshire coastline to go on sale as Yorkshire Explorer and SeaGrown team up

York-based artisan spirit producer Yorkshire Explorer has joined forces with Scarborough sea farmers, SeaGrown, to create the first Yorkshire seaweed rum, harvested and distilled in the region.

Yorkshire Explorer, who have been making gin for almost two years, are the driving force behind the new creation. The brand will sell the new range, which launches tomorrow (August 20) through its website and bar network.

Providing the seaweed flavouring is seaweed farming and processing company, SeaGrown. The Scarborough-based sea farmers, who have set up their own seaweed farm on the Yorkshire coast, have provided Yorkshire Explorer with their home-grown Sugar Kelp, which helps give the rum its unique taste of the sea.

Click here to enter The Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business AwardsSugar Kelp is the key ingredient in the Yorkshire Explorer seaweed rum. It is combined with the sweetness of vanilla, locally sourced heather and honey and the rich warmth of clove and ginger to create the Explorer’s unique sweet and salty flavour profile, which is as rich in flavour as it is in the provenance of its ingredients. Each bottle is hand finished, checked for perfection, and sealed by hand.

Yorkshire Explorer was founded by Callum Houston, Director of events company, The Yorkshire Bartender. Over the last few months, Callum has used his time to perfect his new rum recipe, which marks a significant move forward for the business.

With the Coronavirus pandemic impacting the events side of the business, Callum has focused his time on growing the spirits side of the business and saw a gap in the market to give customers a unique flavoured rum.

He said: “This launch is a big step for our business, having focused on the gin market for the last 12 months, I’m really excited to branch out into rum. Working with SeaGrown to produce this unique tasting rum has made it extra special and a great thing for Yorkshire. As a Yorkshire business, we’re proud of our heritage so being able to keep as much of the production in our home county is very important.

“We’ve already had a great take up, even before we have officially launched, so I’m confident that it will be a big seller. Following the success of the craft gin movement, we can see rum going in the same direction so it’s important that we offer our customers not only something that tastes good but is authentic and true to our roots.”

Commenting on their involvement, SeaGrown Director, Wave Crookes said: “Working with Yorkshire Explorer is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the diversity of our seaweed. Our seaweed farm is now well established and an ethical way to produce sustainable crops that we hope will transform industries over the next few years. Our Sugar Kelp has a very distinctive taste and every customer can guarantee a taste of Yorkshire with every sip.”

To launch its exciting new venture, Yorkshire Explorer has organised a regional Treasure Hunt, giving Yorkshire rum lovers the opportunity to be one of the first to taste their new creation.

Starting on Monday (24th) and driven through its social media channels, The Explorer team will be taking the Yorkshire Explorer Defender on tour to five towns and cities across the region to giveaway a limited number of bottles.

Clues for where the Explorer Defender will be each day will be posted throughout the week on Yorkshire Explorer’s Facebook and Instagram channels.