Brinley Gold

In 1986, Bob Brinley began distilling rum on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, naming his company after an actual historic shipwreck: in 1782, a British troop transport ship sank off the coast of St. Kitts, most likely during the famous naval battle in which Admiral Rodney defeated the French under DeGrasse. In 2002, son Zach Brinley left Wall Street to join the family business, taking over as president.

That same year, Brinley Gold launched its first batch of vanilla rum; in 2011, after years of development, Brinley Shipwreck Spiced Rum followed. With Brinley Gold Coconut Rum, you will find one of the most popular flavoured bottlings from this family-run Caribbean brand in our selection.

Where does the name "Shipwreck" come from?

Bob Brinley began producing rum on St. Kitts in 1986 and chose a name for his company with historical significance: in 1782, a British troop transport ship sank off the island's coast – most likely during the famous naval battle in which Admiral George Rodney decisively defeated the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse. This shipwreck lent its name to the brand's later "Shipwreck" rum line.

How did a Wall Street banker become a rum company president?

In 2002, Zach Brinley, son of founder Bob Brinley, left his career on Wall Street to join the family rum business as president. That same year, the company released its first batch of vanilla rum on St. Kitts. After years of further development, Brinley Shipwreck Spiced Rum followed in 2011 – a four-year-aged rum finished with vanilla, nutmeg, orange, clove, and other exotic spices – becoming one of the brand's best-known bottlings. Today, the range includes numerous flavoured variants such as vanilla, coconut, mango, and coffee.

The most popular bottling at a glance

1. Brinley Gold Coconut Rum
Rum finished with natural coconut flavour.
Taste: Creamy and tropical with pronounced coconut notes.
Serving suggestion: Ideal for piña coladas and other tropical cocktails.

Facts and figures

Founded: 1986 by Bob Brinley, St. Kitts. President since 2002: Zach Brinley. Best-known line: Shipwreck Spiced Rum (since 2011).