At the beginning of Prohibition, boats could legally stow rum as long as they were three nautical miles off the U.S. coast. In popular smuggling destinations, one could typical see several boats anchored on what became known as the “Rum Line.”
KIRK AND SWEENEY was a wooden schooner, best known for smuggling rum from the Caribbean to the Northeast during the early years of Prohibition. In 1924, it was seized off the coast of New York with a massive amount of rum aboard. The schooner was subsequently re-named “Chase” and pressed into duty as a Coast Guard trainer, serving until the late 1940’s when it was retired and salvaged.
Kirk and Sweeney 12 Year Rum is another premium selection from the 35 Maple Street Spirit Co., purveyors of Masterson’s Rye Whiskey and Bib & Tucker Bourbon. Their rum is aged in American oak barrels at the Bermudez’ family’s bodega, in the city of Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
