Passion turns to profession for rum connoisseur

AFTER years travelling the world while working on mega yachts in Europe and the Caribbean, Whitsunday resident Justin Boseley developed a taste for fine rum which he is now turning into a new career.

After returning to Australia he decided to put his plans into practice and spent years sourcing superior, award-winning quality boutique rum that would be appreciated by all rum drinkers.

Mr Boseley's company La Rumbla Imports now has the licence to import the award-winning Cubaney line of rums from the Dominican Republic and with recent figures showing the Whitsundays as the largest consumers of rum in Australia, he is confident that his product will take off.

"I'm looking forward to giving people in Australia a quality rum experience. First rum was a passion for me, then it turned into an obsession, and now it's my profession," he said.

"The Whitsundays is the sailing capital of Australia and there has always been a strong connection between rum and sailors - going back hundreds of years."

Although the spirit business is mostly controlled by large international companies, Mr Boseley believes he has a quality product which will appeal to the market in the Whitsundays and beyond.

Using the sophistication of online distribution, La Rumbla has set up an online store where anyone over the age of 18 can order boutique rum over the internet and have it delivered to their doorstep.

The boutique rum has already been well-received by bottle shops, bars and nightclubs in the region. For more information visit www.larumblaimports.com.au.