Richard Hammond may be best known for high-speed adventures, ambitious journeys and his enthusiasm for engineering, but Hammond’s Bearing Caribbean Spiced Rum takes a more relaxed approach.

This rich Caribbean spiced rum combines carefully selected rums from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Each component has been aged for five years in oak barrels before being blended, delicately sweetened and infused with a selection of spices personally chosen by Richard Hammond.

Bottled at a full 40% ABV, Bearing delivers soft vanilla, gentle caramel and warming spice with a smooth, lingering finish. It can be enjoyed neat or over ice, yet remains versatile enough for classic rum serves with cola, ginger beer or fresh citrus.

For fans of Richard Hammond, celebrity spirits and mature spiced rum, Bearing offers considerably more than a familiar name on the label. The five-year age statement, multi-country Caribbean blend and full bottling strength give it a depth and structure that distinguish it from many lighter spiced rums.

What Is Hammond’s Bearing Caribbean Spiced Rum?

Hammond’s Bearing is a five-year-old Caribbean spiced rum created as part of Richard Hammond’s premium drinks collection.

The blend brings together rums from three established rum-producing countries:

• Trinidad
• Venezuela
• The Dominican Republic

Every rum used in the blend has been matured for five years in oak barrels. The aged rums are then brought together and infused with a carefully selected combination of spices chosen by Richard Hammond.

The finished rum is delicately sweetened rather than being built entirely around sugar or flavouring. This allows the oak-aged spirit to remain present beneath the vanilla, caramel and warming spice.

Key details include:

• Five-year-old Caribbean spiced rum
• Created by Richard Hammond
• Produced using rums from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic
• Every component aged for five years in oak
• Infused with spices selected by Richard Hammond
• Delicately sweetened
• Bottled at 40% ABV
• Presented in a 70cl bottle
• Suitable for sipping and mixing
• Supplied unboxed

The combination of mature rum and restrained spicing gives Bearing a rounded style that can be approached as both a sipping rum and a versatile home-bar bottle.

The Story Behind Richard Hammond’s Rum

Hammond’s Spirits was founded by Richard Hammond in collaboration with Hawkridge Distillers.

The collection reflects Hammond’s interest in travel, landscapes, craftsmanship and the stories attached to different spirits. Rather than simply licensing his name, Hammond has described being closely involved with the development of the drinks, from selecting flavours and casks to shaping the presentation.

Bearing follows the launch of Hammond’s Ratio London Dry Gin and Iron Ridge English Single Malt Whisky, expanding the collection into Caribbean rum.

The rum draws on Hammond’s years of international travel, during which he encountered different cultures, landscapes and locally produced drinks. While much of his career has been associated with speed, Bearing is deliberately positioned around slowing down and enjoying a well-made rum.

The result is a spirit that connects the tropical warmth of its rum-producing countries with Hammond’s wider themes of discovery and adventure.

Customers can explore the complete Hammond’s Spirits range at HTFW, including rum, English whisky and London Dry Gin.

Why Blend Rum from Three Countries?

Rum can vary considerably depending on where it is produced, the raw materials used, the distillation method and the style of maturation.

By combining spirit from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, Bearing can draw on several different rum traditions rather than relying on one distillery or country.

Trinidad Rum

Trinidad is known for producing versatile rum with a clean structure, gentle fruit and spice. Its rums can provide a balanced foundation that works well within blends.

Depending on the production style and cask, Trinidad rum may contribute:

• Vanilla
• Light tropical fruit
• Caramel
• Gentle oak
• Peppery spice
• A clean finish

Venezuelan Rum

Venezuelan rum is often associated with rich, smooth and rounded flavours. Oak maturation can bring caramel, dried fruit, cocoa and brown sugar notes.

Within a blend, Venezuelan rum may contribute:

• Toffee
• Dark caramel
• Dried fruit
• Cocoa
• Vanilla
• A fuller texture

Dominican Rum

Rum from the Dominican Republic is frequently valued for its approachable character and balance between sweetness, oak and fruit.

Typical flavours can include:

• Vanilla
• Banana
• Soft spice
• Brown sugar
• Toasted oak
• Gentle tropical fruit

The three-country approach allows the blender to build depth and balance. One component can provide structure, another richness and another softness, creating a more complete final rum.

What Does the Five-Year Age Statement Mean?

The five-year age statement indicates that the rums used in Hammond’s Bearing have each spent five years maturing in oak barrels.

Time in oak allows the spirit to extract flavour and colour from the wood while gradually developing through oxidation.

During maturation, the rum may acquire flavours including:

• Vanilla
• Caramel
• Toasted oak
• Baking spice
• Coconut
• Dried fruit
• Brown sugar

The warm climates of Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic create active maturation conditions. Higher temperatures encourage the spirit to move more deeply into the oak, increasing interaction between rum and barrel.

Warm-climate ageing also creates higher evaporation than is typically experienced in cooler regions. This can concentrate flavour, but it also means the producer must monitor the casks carefully to maintain balance.

Using five-year-old rum gives Bearing more mature oak and caramel character than a spiced spirit built from very young or unaged rum.

Is Hammond’s Bearing a Real Rum?

Bearing is made from oak-aged Caribbean rum before spices and a controlled amount of sweetness are added.

The additional spices place it within the spiced rum category rather than presenting it as an unflavoured aged rum. However, the five-year-old spirit remains an important part of its character.

At 40% ABV, Bearing also has the same alcoholic strength as many traditional rums, whiskies and gins. This gives it sufficient structure for sipping and allows its flavour to remain clear when mixed.

It should therefore be approached as a mature spiced rum rather than a low-strength rum liqueur.

What Does Hammond’s Bearing Rum Taste Like?

Bearing has a rich and rounded profile centred on soft vanilla, warm spice and gentle caramel.

The oak-aged rum provides the foundation, bringing body, sweetness and mature wood beneath the selected spices.

Nose

Soft vanilla and caramel lead the aroma, followed by warm baking spice and gentle oak.

Further time in the glass reveals brown sugar, light tropical fruit and a subtle toasted character.

Palate

Smooth and rounded, with vanilla, caramel and warming spice.

The sweetness is measured rather than overwhelming, allowing the aged rum and oak to remain noticeable. At 40% ABV, the palate has enough weight to carry the spices without becoming thin.

Finish

Smooth and lingering, with vanilla, caramel, gentle oak and persistent warming spice.

The finish remains approachable, making Bearing suitable for sipping as well as longer mixed drinks.

Is Hammond’s Bearing Sweet?

Bearing is delicately sweetened, giving it a softer and more approachable profile than a dry, unflavoured aged rum.

However, the sweetness is balanced by its 40% ABV strength, five years of oak maturation and warming spices.

Drinkers can expect caramel and vanilla rather than an intensely syrupy or confectionery-led style.

Its level of sweetness also makes it versatile. It is smooth enough to enjoy over ice, but it does not disappear completely when mixed with cola, ginger beer or citrus.

Those who normally prefer dry rum may enjoy it with soda water, fresh lime or a large ice cube. Sweeter-rum drinkers may prefer it neat or with cola.

Is Bearing a Spiced Rum or Dark Rum?

Hammond’s Bearing is primarily described as a Caribbean spiced rum.

The five-year oak maturation gives it some of the richness, colour and wood influence associated with aged and darker rum styles. However, the selected spices and delicate sweetening define its final category.

A traditional dark rum may gain its flavour mainly from molasses, distillation, oak and blending. A spiced rum introduces additional ingredients to create flavours such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove or citrus.

Bearing combines both approaches: mature rum provides its body and depth, while the spices add warmth and accessibility.

How to Drink Hammond’s Bearing Rum

Bearing has been designed to work in several different serves.

Neat

Pour a small measure into a tumbler or tulip-shaped tasting glass.

Allow the rum to rest for several minutes before drinking. This gives the vanilla, caramel and spices time to open.

Serving it neat provides the clearest view of the underlying aged rum and prevents mixers from covering its oak character.

Over Ice

Pour Bearing over one large ice cube.

As the ice melts, the rum becomes softer and slightly lighter. Vanilla and caramel move forward, while the alcohol and spice become gentler.

This is one of the best serves for someone who wants to enjoy the rum slowly without drinking it completely neat.

With Premium Cola

The producer recommends lengthening Bearing with premium cola and a slice of fresh orange.

Cola naturally complements the rum’s caramel, vanilla and warming spice. Fresh orange provides aroma and enough citrus freshness to prevent the serve from becoming overly sweet.

With Ginger Beer

Ginger beer adds spice and carbonation, producing a brighter and more refreshing drink.

Fresh lime works particularly well here, adding acidity and balancing the sweet rum and mixer.

With Soda Water

Soda water creates the lightest and driest long serve.

It allows the rum to remain the principal flavour while adding carbonation and dilution. Finish with orange peel or fresh lime.

Hammond’s Bearing and Cola

This is the signature long serve recommended for the rum.

Ingredients

• 50ml Hammond’s Bearing Caribbean Spiced Rum
• 125ml premium cola
• Plenty of ice
• Fresh orange slice

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice and add the Hammond’s Bearing Rum.

Top with cola and stir gently.

Garnish with a fresh orange slice, lightly squeezing it over the glass to release the citrus oils.

The orange complements the vanilla and caramel while providing a fresher finish.

Bearing Rum and Ginger Beer

Ginger beer reinforces the warming spice without adding the heavier caramel character of cola.

Ingredients

• 50ml Hammond’s Bearing Rum
• 125ml ginger beer
• 15ml fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wedge

Method

Fill a highball glass with ice.

Add the rum and fresh lime juice before topping with ginger beer.

Stir gently and garnish with lime.

A drier ginger beer will create the most balanced result.

Bearing Rum Old Fashioned

The mature rum and integrated sweetness make Bearing well suited to a simple rum Old Fashioned.

Ingredients

• 50ml Hammond’s Bearing Rum
• Two dashes of aromatic bitters
• Up to 5ml sugar syrup, optional
• Ice
• Orange peel

Method

Add the rum and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.

Taste before adding sugar syrup, as Bearing already contains a degree of sweetness.

Stir until chilled, then strain over one large ice cube. Express an orange peel over the surface and use it as a garnish.

The bitters add complexity, while orange connects naturally with the caramel and spice.

Caribbean Rum Punch

Bearing can also be used in a simple fruit-led punch.

Ingredients

• 50ml Hammond’s Bearing Rum
• 75ml pineapple juice
• 50ml orange juice
• 15ml fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Orange or pineapple garnish

Method

Add the rum and fruit juices to a shaker filled with ice.

Shake until chilled and strain into an ice-filled glass.

Garnish with orange or pineapple.

The fruit brings out the rum’s tropical side, while the lime controls the sweetness.

Bearing Hot Apple

Apple and warming spice make this a useful autumn and winter serve.

Ingredients

• 40ml Hammond’s Bearing Rum
• 150ml cloudy apple juice
• Cinnamon stick
• Orange peel

Method

Warm the apple juice gently without boiling it.

Pour the rum into a heatproof glass and top with the warm juice.

Stir with a cinnamon stick and garnish with orange peel.

The caramel, spice and oak work naturally with warm apple.

Bearing Rum Hot Chocolate

Vanilla, caramel and chocolate create a rich after-dinner combination.

Ingredients

• 25ml Hammond’s Bearing Rum
• 150ml hot chocolate
• Whipped cream, optional
• Grated dark chocolate or nutmeg

Method

Prepare the hot chocolate and allow it to cool slightly.

Stir in the rum before finishing with whipped cream, chocolate or nutmeg.

Avoid boiling the rum directly.

What Food Pairs with Hammond’s Bearing?

Bearing’s vanilla, caramel and warm spice make it particularly versatile with grilled foods, desserts and cheese.

Barbecued Meat

Glazed ribs, pulled pork and grilled chicken work well with the rum’s caramel and oak.

A sauce containing spice, citrus or brown sugar can create a natural connection with the spirit.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate provides bitterness and richness, balancing the sweeter vanilla and caramel.

Chocolate with orange or sea salt can be especially effective.

Banana Desserts

Caramelised banana, banana bread and banoffee pie complement the tropical fruit and caramel character.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

The rum’s brown sugar, vanilla and oak fit naturally alongside dates and toffee sauce.

Mature Cheese

Aged Cheddar or Gouda provides savoury contrast against the sweetness and spice.

Roasted Nuts

Pecans, almonds and cashews reinforce the toasted oak and caramel without overpowering the rum.

Fruit Cake

Dried fruit, orange peel and baking spice mirror many of the flavours found in mature spiced rum.

Is Hammond’s Bearing a Good Gift?

Bearing is a strong gift for both rum drinkers and Richard Hammond fans.

Its appeal goes beyond celebrity branding because it combines a five-year age statement, full 40% ABV strength and rums from three different producing countries.

It is particularly suitable for:

• Richard Hammond fans
• Top Gear and The Grand Tour enthusiasts
• Spiced rum drinkers
• Celebrity spirits collectors
• Birthdays
• Father’s Day
• Christmas
• Retirement gifts
• Home-bar gifts
• Rum tasting evenings
• Motoring enthusiasts

The bottle can also be combined with premium cola, ginger beer, an orange and quality glassware to create a complete rum gift set.

Although supplied unboxed, the bottle design and Hammond’s branding give it clear shelf and gifting appeal.

Is Hammond’s Bearing a Celebrity Rum?

Yes. Bearing was developed as part of Richard Hammond’s own premium spirits collection.

However, it has been created around a clear production concept rather than relying only on Hammond’s fame.

The blend includes rums from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, with every component aged for five years in oak. The spices were personally selected by Hammond, while the finished rum is bottled at 40% ABV.

This gives it a stronger production story than many celebrity drinks created primarily for novelty or merchandise.

Fans may initially discover it through Richard Hammond, but the combination of mature rum, measured sweetness and warm spice allows it to stand as a credible bottle in its own right.

Explore More Hammond’s Spirits at HTFW

Bearing forms part of a wider collection covering rum, gin and English single malt whisky.

Hammond’s Ratio London Dry Gin

Hammond’s Ratio London Dry Gin is Richard Hammond’s personal interpretation of a classic London Dry.

Created in collaboration with Hawkridge Distillers, it reflects his interest in travel, local ingredients and spirits with a sense of place.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Ratio is suited to a classic gin and tonic, Martini or citrus-led gin cocktail.

Choose Ratio for someone who enjoys crisp botanical spirits and Bearing for richer vanilla, caramel and spice.

Hammond’s Iron Ridge Reserve No.2

Hammond’s Iron Ridge Reserve No.2 English Single Malt Whisky is a 10-year-old English whisky bottled at 40% ABV.

It offers a more contemplative and oak-led experience than Bearing, with mature whisky flavours suited to neat drinking.

Iron Ridge is the natural choice for an English whisky enthusiast, while Bearing is more versatile with mixers and tropical cocktails.

Hammond’s Iron Ridge Reserve No.1

Hammond’s Iron Ridge Reserve No.1 English Single Malt Whisky was the first release in the Iron Ridge series.

Its limited nature and place within the early Hammond’s collection give it particular appeal to Richard Hammond and celebrity-spirit collectors.

Availability can change as individual reserves sell through.

Signed Hammond’s Bottles

HTFW may also stock signed editions of Ratio Gin, Iron Ridge Whisky and Bearing Rum.

These bottles contain the same spirit as their standard counterparts but carry additional collectable value through Richard Hammond’s signature.

Signed releases are produced in smaller numbers and may sell out more quickly than standard bottles.

Customers can check the complete Hammond’s range at HTFW for the latest standard and signed editions.

Bearing Compared with Other Spiced Rum

Many popular spiced rums focus primarily on sweetness, vanilla and simple mixing.

Bearing offers a more mature structure through its five years of oak ageing and full 40% ABV strength. This gives it greater versatility when served neat and helps the rum remain present alongside mixers.

Its main qualities include:

• A genuine five-year age statement
• Rums from three different producing countries
• Full 40% ABV bottling strength
• Controlled sweetness
• Personally selected spices
• Suitability for sipping and mixing
• A recognisable celebrity connection

Drinkers looking for an intensely sweet, low-strength or heavily flavoured rum may find Bearing more restrained. Those who want vanilla and spice supported by mature oak and caramel are more likely to appreciate its style.

Why Buy Hammond’s Bearing Rum from HTFW?

HTFW has specialised in premium, rare and unusual whisky and spirits since 1991.

Customers purchasing Hammond’s Bearing Caribbean Spiced Rum from HTFW benefit from:

• Authentic stock sourced through trusted channels
• Specialist protective bottle packaging
• Fast UK delivery options
• Worldwide delivery to eligible destinations
• Same-day dispatch on qualifying orders
• Free personalised gift messaging
• Access to the wider Hammond’s range
• A large selection of celebrity-owned spirits

The current bottle contains 70cl, is bottled at 40% ABV and is supplied unboxed.

Current pricing, stock availability and delivery options can be found directly on the product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes Hammond’s Bearing Rum?

Bearing was created by Richard Hammond as part of Hammond’s Spirits, working in collaboration with Hawkridge Distillers.

Where does the rum come from?

The blend contains rums from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

How old is Hammond’s Bearing Rum?

Every rum used in the blend has been aged for five years in oak barrels.

What strength is Bearing Rum?

It is bottled at 40% ABV.

What size is the bottle?

The standard bottle contains 70cl.

Is Hammond’s Bearing a spiced rum?

Yes. It is an oak-aged Caribbean rum blend infused with spices selected by Richard Hammond.

What does it taste like?

The main flavours are soft vanilla, warm spice, gentle caramel and mature oak, followed by a smooth and lingering finish.

Is Bearing Rum sweet?

It is delicately sweetened, giving it a rounded flavour without making sweetness its only characteristic.

Can it be drunk neat?

Yes. Its five-year maturation and 40% ABV strength make it suitable for neat drinking or serving over ice.

What is the best mixer?

Premium cola with fresh orange is the producer’s recommended long serve. Ginger beer, soda water and fruit juice also work well.

Can Bearing be used in cocktails?

Yes. It works in rum Old Fashioneds, highballs, punches and warm apple or chocolate drinks.

Is Bearing an English rum?

No. It is a blend of Caribbean and Latin American rums from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. It forms part of Richard Hammond’s British spirits collection.

Is it connected to Top Gear and The Grand Tour?

Bearing was created by Richard Hammond, who is widely recognised for his television work and motoring adventures. The rum itself is part of his independent Hammond’s Spirits collection.

Does the rum come in a box?

The current HTFW listing is supplied unboxed.

Is a signed edition available?

Signed editions have been produced, although availability is limited and can change as stock sells through.

Is it a good gift for a Richard Hammond fan?

Yes. The personal involvement, motoring connection and place within the wider Hammond’s collection make it a strong gift for adult fans and collectors.

Final Thoughts

Hammond’s Bearing Caribbean Spiced Rum brings together mature spirit, warm spice and Richard Hammond’s enthusiasm for travel and discovery.

Rums from Trinidad, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic each spend five years ageing in oak before being blended, delicately sweetened and infused with spices selected by Hammond. The result is a rounded 40% ABV rum with soft vanilla, gentle caramel and warming spice.

Its mature foundation gives it enough depth to drink neat, while the restrained sweetness and bold flavour allow it to work particularly well with cola, ginger beer and fresh citrus.

The Richard Hammond connection gives Bearing immediate appeal to motoring fans and celebrity-spirit collectors, but the liquid has a clear identity beyond the name on the bottle. Its multi-country blend and five-year age statement provide substance, while its approachable flavour makes it easy to share.

Whether enjoyed slowly over ice, mixed with premium cola and orange or added to a winter drink, Bearing is a versatile introduction to the growing Hammond’s Spirits collection.

Shop Hammond’s Bearing Five-Year-Old Caribbean Spiced Rum at HTFW.