Rum production starts with hand-cut sugar cane from the volcanic soils of Papua New Guinea and Fiji, which is then distilled in traditional pot stills. The tropical maturation conditions and ex-bourbon casks give the rum a particular character before it travels to Australia, where it is blended, spiced and bottled in small lots. Every Cargo Cult expression is created with great respect for the raw materials and the craft behind them, and you can both smell and taste it in the glass.
Tasting notes: a trio of distinctive experiences
Cargo Cult Banana Spiced Rum (38%)
This variant is a harmonious fusion of ripe north Australian bananas and South Pacific rum. On the nose you meet sweet notes of banana, cinnamon and vanilla, almost like a banana flambé in liquid form. The palate is creamy and silky with undertones of caramel, baked fruit and a subtle spiced warmth rounded off by a dry finish. Perfect in cocktails such as the Banana Daiquiri, or simply over ice where the tropical aromas can unfold.
Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum (54.5%)
A powerful rum combining three-year-old rums from Fiji and Papua New Guinea, bottled at navy strength, meaning over 50% alcohol. The nose offers complex aromas of dark chocolate, tobacco, mocha and flamed orange peel. The palate is intense with notes of overripe tropical fruit, burnt sugar, spice and a light bitterness that gives a depth and complexity able to stand alone or in a strong cocktail such as a Navy Daiquiri or Rum Old Fashioned.
Cargo Cult Dry Spiced Rum (38.5%)
A dry, spiced rum that stands apart from the many sweet spiced rums on the market. The aromas include vanilla custard, ginger, clove and a lightly earthy spice profile. The palate is light to medium bodied with notes of cinnamon, ginger, citrus and a hint of vanilla ice cream, closing with a dry, spiced warmth that makes it perfect as a mixer in a Dark 'n' Stormy or for lifting a classic Cuba Libre.
Why Cargo Cult stands out
Cargo Cult is not just another rum brand on the shelf. It is a brand built on authentic stories, ethical sourcing and a craft that aims to bring out the natural qualities of the region. They use no artificial additives, no excessive sweetening and no make-up. Instead they stand by the raw, natural flavour that only good sugar cane, clean casks and time can produce.
For rum enthusiasts and adventurous souls, Cargo Cult is a chance to taste a real sense of place, a liquid journey to the South Pacific filled with both myth and modern distilling craft. Whether you pick the soft banana variant, the powerful navy strength or the dry spiced rum, an experience with depth, character and soul awaits.
Here's to the adventure, and to exploring the many layers of rum.
Cargo Cult is a blend of rums from Fiji, Australia (probably Beenleigh) and New Guinea, but the flavour is clearly dominated by the Fijian rum. The sugar cane grows in rich volcanic soil, is hand-harvested and distilled in a pot still before the rum matures tropically for at least three years.
Here are six lovely cocktail recipes that show off the three variants of Cargo Cult Rum, perfect for the home bar so you can impress your guests or simply treat yourself to a tropical drink.
🍌 Cargo Cult Banana Spiced Rum cocktails
Banana Daiquiri (twist with Cargo Cult Banana)
👉 Blend all the ingredients until you have a smooth, ice-cold cocktail. Serve in a coupe and garnish with a slice of banana or a dusting of nutmeg.
Banana Rum Old Fashioned
👉 Stir the rum, syrup and bitters with ice in a lowball glass. Garnish with orange peel, giving it a little twist over the glass.
⚓ Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum cocktails
Navy Daiquiri
👉 Shake all the ingredients hard with ice and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a lime wedge. The powerful navy strength rum gives this classic daiquiri extra punch and depth.
Navy Rum Old Fashioned
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6 cl Cargo Cult Navy Strength Rum
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0.5 cl demerara sugar syrup
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2 dashes of chocolate bitters or Angostura bitters
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Orange peel or cherry to garnish
👉 Stir the ingredients with ice in a glass and garnish with orange peel or a maraschino cherry. Perfect as an evening sipper.
🌶️ Cargo Cult Dry Spiced Rum cocktails
Dry Spiced Dark 'n' Stormy
👉 Fill a tall glass with ice, add the lime juice and ginger beer, and top slowly with the rum for the classic dark top effect. Stir gently and garnish with lime.
Spiced Cuba Libre
👉 Fill a highball glass with ice, pour the rum and lime over, top with cola and garnish with lime. The dry, spiced profile makes this simple cocktail more sophisticated.
