Jamaica Rum (geographical indication)

"Jamaica Rum" was registered as a geographical indication on 1 December 2016 in the name of the Spirits Pool Association, whose shareholders are the island's rum producers. In 2020 and 2021 two shareholders and the Association asked the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office to change the specification.

In its decision of 2 October 2024, JIPO rectified the register: fermentation only with Saccharomyces or Schizosaccharomyces yeasts, cultured or naturally occurring, with locally grown bacterial and yeast cultures allowed and genetically modified yeast forbidden; ageing only in Jamaica, in approved food-grade wooden barrels of no more than 250 litres; and nothing added after distillation except filtered water and cane-sugar caramel for colour. Producers holding rum overseas were given 24 months to seek certification.