How am I compensated

I'm compensated through brand sponsorship fees in exchange for my time and effort in coordinating in-person events and creating social media content. 

Social media outlets include Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. 

My rum club, The Rum Curious Club, obtains sponsorship fees in exchange for coordinating, promoting and hosting in-person events to increase the sponsored brand(s) awareness.

I partner with rum brands I genuinely believe in, sharing their stories through curated events and educational experiences. 

My time is divided across these partnerships: for some brands, like Rhum Barbancourt (announced 3/1) and El Dorado (announced 3/4). I dedicate around 25% of my time to an ongoing brand ambassador role. These contracts have renewed and are in effect until 12/31/25.

The remaining time is reserved for one-off or event-based sponsorships with brands such as Kō Hana, Myrtle Bank, Down Island Spirits, Goslings Rum, Privateer, Flor de Caña, and others.

If I've been paid explicitly for social media content, it is declared via hashtag as #ad. For example, Angostura cocktail was advertised via Instagram on 8/16/23 and Angostura cocktail on Instagram on 8/29/24. 

I do have several affiliate links with various clothing companies, such as Yiume and Proper Cloth. I also have a affiliate links with RumX and Curiada, and I will be compensated if someone uses any of these links to make a purchase.

Not all of my work is compensated. Much of the content I produce on social media, including reviews, is unpaid, and I often share my genuine experiences without sponsorship. While I have a collection of 690 bottles, nearly a large portion of my collection has been purchased at my own expense.

For example, all content about the following brands—Sampan, Hampden, Holmes Cay, Foursquare/Doorly's, Black Tot, Ron del Barrilito, A1710, Appleton, Monymusk, Neisson, and Hamilton Rum—is unsponsored. I have neither received free bottles nor financial compensation for sharing favorable reviews for these brands and many others.

TO THE RUM! Podcast
As of now, my co-host and I have not accepted any sponsorships for the podcast. Although we've considered the possibility, we have not had formal conversations on this topic. If this changes, we will disclose it promptly.

Liquor Store Partners

To date, I have not made any money from the liquor stores I have promoted. These would include Chips Liquor, Showcase Wine & Spirits, K&L Wine Merchants, and Hi-Time Wine Cellars. What I have gotten from some, but not all, of the liquor stores listed is a discounted price on bottles OR the occasional bottle gifted for promoting their business.