Auckland-based Bayside Rum Co. has launched a campaign on crowdfunding platform PledgeMe to help the rum start-up branch into new rum line categories and build resilience into its supply chain.

Bayside Rum Co. launched its kūmara-based ‘Three Moons’ Rum last year, which won Silver at the 2022 NZ Spirits Awards and has stockists and on-premise presence around New Zealand, but founder and managing director Egor Petrov says that despite the initial success the business faced some pandemic-related supply-chain problems.

“Looking towards 2023, our goal is to expand the product range and develop supply chain resiliency to ensure that products can be replaced as quickly as they leave the shelves,” says Petrov.

The PledgeMe campaign includes a single barrel partner programme and a limited edition ‘Sugar and Spice’ bottled rum pre-order campaign.

The Single Barrel Partner Programme looks to work with up to ten rum enthusiasts and connoisseurs each year to co-develop products that represent the different regions of New Zealand, while the pre-order is for a new line of limited release products called Sugar & Spice using sweet orange peel, chai, vanilla, cocoa and horopito.

“This PledgeMe campaign will not only help us establish a more robust supply chain, but will also give Kiwis a chance to play an active role in writing the next chapter in the history of New Zealand spirits,” says Petrov. “We developed a successful recipe, and we want it to be available in Aotearoa and beyond.” 

W: Bayside Rum Co. PledgeMe campaign