Richland distillery

Introduction to Richland

A Distillery with a Passion for Craft

Richland Rum Distillery is a remarkable American craft distillery located in the heart of Georgia. With an unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity, Richland has established itself as one of America’s premier rum producers, creating exceptional spirits from locally grown sugar cane. Their field-to-glass approach has earned them widespread recognition among spirits enthusiasts worldwide.

Unlike mass-produced rums, Richland crafts their spirits in small batches, giving each release its own distinctive character and depth. This dedication to craftsmanship has positioned Richland as a true pioneer in American rum production.

Why We Have a Soft Spot for Richland

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish distilleries that remain true to their principles while pushing boundaries. Richland captivates us with their single-estate approach, where they control every aspect of production from growing their own sugar cane to bottling the final product. Their commitment to traditional copper pot distillation and patience in aging creates rums with extraordinary complexity and character.

We particularly admire their resistance to additives, artificial colorings, or flavorings – each bottle of Richland Rum represents the pure expression of Georgia terroir and masterful distilling technique.

The History Behind Richland

Origin and Development

Richland Rum was founded in 1999 by Erik and Karin Vonk in the small town of Richland, Georgia. Erik, originally from the Netherlands with a background in corporate America, abandoned the conventional path to pursue his passion for creating authentic, world-class rum in the American South. Starting with just a small experimental still, the Vonks planted their first sugar cane fields and began developing what would become America’s only single-estate rum distillery.

Over the years, Richland has expanded thoughtfully, adding a second distillery location in Brunswick, Georgia in 2019, while maintaining their artisanal approach and unwavering commitment to quality.

The People Behind

The distillery continues to be led by founder Erik Vonk, whose vision and determination have been the driving force behind Richland’s success. Alongside his wife Karin, Erik oversees a dedicated team of local craftspeople who share his passion for authentic rum production. Their collective expertise in agriculture, fermentation, distillation, and aging ensures that every bottle of Richland Rum reflects generations of tradition combined with innovative American craftsmanship.

Each team member contributes to Richland’s reputation for excellence, from the field workers who tend the sugar cane to the master distillers who monitor every step of the production process.

The Craft and Production

From Raw Materials to Finished Product

Richland’s rum-making process begins in their own sugar cane fields, where they cultivate heritage varieties of sugar cane specifically chosen for their flavor profiles. After harvesting, the cane is crushed to extract pure cane juice, which is then reduced to create a syrup. This syrup serves as the base for fermentation, preserving the complex flavors of the fresh cane.

Fermentation takes place using proprietary yeast strains, and the resulting wash is distilled in traditional copper pot stills. This method, while less efficient than modern column stills, preserves more flavor compounds and creates a richer, more complex spirit. Each batch is distilled just once, maintaining the rum’s distinctive character and terroir.

Aging and Maturation

Richland ages their rum exclusively in new American white oak barrels with a heavy char. These virgin casks impart robust vanilla, caramel, and oak characteristics while allowing the natural sugar cane flavors to shine through. The warm Georgia climate accelerates the aging process, creating intense interaction between the spirit and wood.

What sets Richland apart is their patience – rums are aged for a minimum of two years, with some expressions matured for up to six years or more. Each barrel is monitored individually, and only bottled when it reaches optimal maturity. This approach means that every release may vary slightly, reflecting the true nature of small-batch production.

Selected Products from Richland

Richland Single Estate Old Georgia Rum – The Signature Expression

This flagship offering perfectly captures Richland’s house style. With notes of vanilla, butterscotch, toasted oak, and a distinctive grassy freshness from the sugar cane, it provides an excellent introduction to true American rum. The smooth palate offers hints of baking spices, honey, and dried fruits, finishing with pleasant warmth and remarkable length.

Bottled at 43% ABV, this rum showcases both the quality of Georgia-grown sugar cane and the skill of Richland’s distilling team.

Richland Single Estate Cask Strength – An Experience for Connoisseurs

For those seeking a more intense experience, Richland’s Cask Strength releases offer an unfiltered, undiluted expression of their craftsmanship. Bottled directly from the barrel at approximately 55-58% ABV, these powerful rums deliver concentrated flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, black cherry, and oak-driven spices. The viscous texture and remarkable complexity make this a contemplative sipper for serious rum enthusiasts.

Each batch is unique, reflecting the individual characteristics of the specific barrels selected for this premium expression.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and Tastings

Richland offers immersive visitor experiences at both their original Richland location and their Brunswick distillery. Guided tours take you through the entire rum-making process, from the sugar cane fields to the barrel aging warehouses. The knowledgeable guides explain each step in detail, sharing insights into the art and science of rum production.

Tastings typically include several expressions, allowing visitors to experience the range of flavors in Richland’s portfolio. The distillery also offers special events throughout the year, including barrel selection opportunities and food pairings featuring local Georgia cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Richland?

Richland is an American craft rum distillery that produces single-estate rums from locally grown sugar cane in Georgia. They are renowned for their field-to-glass approach, traditional production methods, and their commitment to creating authentic, additive-free rum that reflects Georgia’s unique terroir.

Where is Richland located?

Richland operates two distillery locations in Georgia, USA. Their original distillery is in the small town of Richland in Stewart County, while their second location opened in Brunswick along the Georgia coast in 2019. The contrasting environments of these locations contribute different characteristics to their aging process.

What characterizes Richland rum?

Richland rum is distinguished by its pure expression of sugar cane, with no added flavorings, colorings, or sweeteners. The rums feature a distinctive profile that balances natural cane sweetness with robust oak influence from new American barrels. Their small-batch approach means each release has its own unique character, though all share remarkable depth, complexity, and a smooth finish that reflects their careful distillation and patient aging.

Where can I buy rum from Richland?

You can find selected bottles from Richland at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate both their core expressions and limited-edition releases, ensuring you have access to these exceptional American rums. Our collection includes both their standard bottlings and occasional single barrel selections that showcase the unique character of individual casks.