Ian Burrell
One of the most travelled figures within the drinks industry, the award winning “EduTainer” and ex Bartender, has redefined the definition of an international spirits ambassador. An ex-professional basketball player in the UK and international recording artist, he has now established himself as the world’s ONLY recognised Global Ambassador for the RUM category. He has conducted masterclasses and seminars, sipped cocktails and judged competitions on no less than 7 continents around the world. And in 2014 he even took the time to break the Guinness World Record for the largest organised rum tasting & masterclass. His passion for rum and cocktails is infectious and in 2007 he not only created the world’s first international Rum festival (The UK RumFest), he also inspired the birth of rum festivals around the world including Miami, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Prague, Hong Kong, California, New York, Chicago and Mauritius. As an “Edu-tainer”, he is in constant demand by various rum companies and organisations to give keynote speeches, rum tastings, cocktail presentations and demonstrations to trade & consumers alike.
In the UK, Ian is currently also the rum & cocktail specialist on National TV’s channel 4,” Sunday Brunch Show”, and the Rum on ITV’s Love Your Weekend, where he is seen regularly by millions of viewers educating celebrity guests on various rums and rum cocktails. But what is even more remarkable is that he is the Spirited Awards 7-time final four nominee and 2018 winner of the International Brand Ambassador of the year at the Spirited Awards part of The Tales of the Cocktail celebrations in New Orleans, even though Ian doesn’t represent any single brand, but a category.
Recent Awards/Acclaims
2020 Ian founded and created Equiano Rum, The world’s first African & Caribbean rum.
2023 Ian was awarded The Class Bar Award for outstanding contribution to the industry.
2023 Ian was awarded International Wine & Spirits communicator of the Year.
2024 Ian was voted for the 5th year in a row as one of the top 50 most influential persons in the Bar World top by The Drinks International panel of expert judges
2024 September will see the launch of Ian Burrell’s first Rum book. Rum. A Tasting Course on Amazon.