Entrepreneur Donald Smith keeps tradition alive with rum cream brand
Published:Thursday | March 6, 2025 | 12:05 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
When it comes to enticing palates, flavours such as vanilla, butterscotch and coffee have one thing in common – they are a part of an exciting lineup for one of the newest premium brands to hit the local market. Looking to elevate your sipping experience? Smith’s Rum Cream offers the perfect blend.
“I’ve always appreciated the richness of rum cream, but my passion for it deepened over time. As I explored different variations, I realised there was an opportunity to create something unique; something that truly embodied the bold, authentic spirit of Jamaica while being accessible to more people,” creator and owner Donald Smith told Food.
His family has a rich history of making a ‘strong back’ recipe that is both creamy and nourishing. With that in mind, along with his developed love for rum cream, he decided to keep the tradition alive and share it with others to enjoy. “I observed that there was a gap in the market for a lactose-free rum cream that delivers the same smooth, creamy experience to a growing subsection of health conscious individuals who were just waiting for our kind of product,” he said.
He continued, “Beyond that, I wanted to create a brand that represents more than just a drink. It’s about independence, individuality, and breaking barriers. Smith’s Rum Cream is a way of taking a premium experience traditionally enjoyed by the few and making it accessible to everyone.”
After months of meticulous testing, it took trial and refinement to achieve the desired flavour profiles. Unofficially, the rum cream was released in 2022, but August 2023 at the Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show marked the brand’s formal debut on the market. The reviews thus far, he says, have been phenomenal, with many making special mention of the smooth textures and bold flavours.
“Each flavour is crafted to deliver a premium, well-balanced taste experience. And while all, inclusive of the original, have their own fan base, we have noticed that the butterscotch and coffee flavours have emerged as customer favourites,” Smith revealed.
Lactose-free rum cream
Securing distribution deals, managing production costs, and increasing brand awareness are a few of the challenges the entrepreneur has faced since going into business. But one of the biggest hurdles to date is providing customers with a clear understanding that a lactose-free rum cream can still be rich and indulgent, “We tackled the latter through tastings, strategic partnerships, and staying consistent with our messaging. Slowly but surely, we’ve built trust and a loyal customer base.”
Having won the emerging manufacturer and services of the year award at the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s M&E Awards was a distinguished honour for the businessman. But the biggest reward comes from knowing that the customers enjoy the product and return for more.
“The best part has been seeing people connect with the brand, whether it’s through the taste, the story, or the values we stand for. Seeing customers excited about our product and hearing their feedback makes all the hard work worthwhile. I also love the creative process of constantly refining and innovating to make the experience even better,” he explained.
With word getting out through pop-up shops, Smith’s Rum Cream is now available at Select Grocers across the island and in select restaurants. The goal is to expand the brand’s reach locally and establish it as a staple in the Caribbean, Latin America, and key markets in the United States and Europe. “We’re also working on new products, flavours and collaborations that will keep our brand fresh and exciting,” Smith shared.