Now in its fifth year, the three-day celebration of rum attracted a near 7,000 visitors this year and recognised the achievements of the rum industry for the second time at an event at London’s Hilton Olympia Hotel.

The awards are as follows:

Rum Distillery of the Year: Foursquare Distillery, Barbados

Rum Distiller of the Year: Richard Seale (Foursquare, Barbados)

Rum Blender of the Year: Tito Cordero (Diplomatico, Venezuela)

Rum Ambassadors of the Year (International) - sponsored by Drinks International: David Cordoba (Bacardi Rum) and Jim Wrigley (Ron St Teresa)

Rum Ambassador of the Year (UK): Meimi Sanchez (Havana Club)

Best New Rum (Gold): Abuelo Centuria, Panama

Best New Rum (White): Banks 5 Island, Several Countries

Best New Rum Package: Bacardi 1909

Boutique RumFest Award (for the best tasting rum): Doorly's XO Rum, Barbados

The Rum Experience Pioneers Award: Joy Spence (Appleton Jamaica rum) and Ed Hamilton from the (Ministry of rum - web page and rum forum).

Rum Blogger of the Year (Europe): The Floating Rum shack

Rum Blogger of the Year (The America’s): RumConnection.com

Ian Burrell, global rum ambassador and RumFest founder said: “Saturday’s RumFest attracted thousands of eager rum enthusiasts experiencing the busiest day ever in RumFest history with tickets selling out in record time, followed by an equally busy Sunday.

“Across the three days six and half thousand visitors enjoyed the ultimate rum experience with over 400 different rums and 75,000 tots of rum tasted throughout the event.”