King Charles III sampled a special Guyanese rum during a reception at State House in Georgetown, where President Mohamed Irfaan Ali welcomed him on the opening evening of the King’s two-day state visit.

The rum, Royal Welcome, is a limited-edition 2026 blend produced by Banks DIH in honor of the visit. After smelling and tasting it, Charles described the spirit as “very good.” The president encouraged him to take another sip.

Banks DIH rum plant executive Gregory Garraway said the blend was more than 20 years old, offering the King an example of Guyana’s rum-making craft. The bottling also drew attention to the company’s XM range: its five-, 12- and 15-year-old expressions received Gold Quality Awards at the 2026 Monde Selection competition, according to Banks DIH.

Guyana has a distinctive place in Caribbean rum culture, with a tradition closely associated with Demerara. The country’s rum heritage includes El Dorado 15, known for notes of brown sugar, coffee, oak and dried apricot, as well as El Dorado Single Barrel ICBU. El Dorado is made by Demerara Distillers and is separate from Banks DIH’s XM brand.

The visit came as Guyana marked 60 years of independence. After his stay in The Bahamas, the King was due to continue to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In Georgetown, the aged, specially blended rum offered a memorable introduction to the country’s spirits and craftsmanship.