Norway-based Island Rum Company has successfully secured undisclosed funding from private investors to enhance its global market reach and upgrade its production facility in Cuba. The funding round, which was completed in November 2024, involved five private investors who acquired minority shares in the company.

The investment aims to strengthen distribution channels and brand marketing efforts, focusing particularly on strategic markets such as the UK, France, and Italy. Additionally, the funds will be allocated to modernizing and expanding the rum production facility in Cuba, which is vital for the company’s growth trajectory.

Henrik Björck, Chairman of the Island Rum Company Board, emphasized that this investment aligns with their global growth ambitions. He stated, "Both our international and Cuban teams have developed commercial and marketing plans for 2025 and beyond, supported by this new financial backing."

The Island Rum Company, established in 2012, produces about 100,000 nine-litre cases of rum annually. It operates in Cuba through a joint venture with Grupo Azucarero, known as Ron Vigia. The company is also gearing up for its next investment round, planned to close in April.

To facilitate the expansion and modernization at the Cuba production facility, Ron Vigia will oversee the project, which includes enhancing the bottling line and acquiring new mixing equipment. Plans also involve the installation of solar panels to ensure a reliable electricity supply. The company anticipates completing this work within the year, depending on results from the forthcoming investment round.

Island Rum’s flagship brands, Black Tears and La Progresiva, are distributed in 45 markets globally. Recently, the company announced its entry into the German market through a partnership with local importer and distributor Kammer-Kirsch, set to bring Black Tears and La Progresiva to German consumers this month.

For more information, visit Just Drinks.

The exhibition “Vodka Cola” by Matteo Gatti at Giampaolo Abbondio Gallery serves as a profound reflection on the intricate relationships between work, place, and exploitation. Gatti employs a signature irony to explore the transition from traditional industrial practices to modern-day realities where personal and professional lives have become indistinguishable. Central to his work is an inquiry into the concept of relentless productivity, contrasted with the notion of “heroic unproductivity.” This latter idea represents a space of personal freedom, a form of resistance against the corporate drive for constant output.

The exhibition’s title references a song from the album "Gli dei se ne vanno, gli arrabbiati restano!" by the band Area, released in 1978—a period marked by political tensions in Italy as the communist party and Christian Democracy sought common ground. The juxtaposition of Vodka, emblematic of the USSR, and Coca-Cola, synonymous with the USA, serves as a metaphor for the Cold War, highlighting how both capitalism and socialism exerted control over the populace.

Through a combination of installations, photographs, and site-specific interventions accompanied by texts from Alessio Barettini, Gatti interlaces history and contemporary issues, prompting viewers to consider the spaces of resistance they can create in present and future contexts.

Exhibition Details:

• Title: Vodka Cola, Matteo Gatti
• Dates: February 26 – April 24, 2025
• Location: Giampaolo Abbondio Gallery, Via Carlo Poma, 18, 20129 Milano (entrance via Via Archimede)
• Visiting Hours: Monday 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM / 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (by appointment)

WAKING with a jolt, my head and heart thumping, I had no idea where I was or any recollection of the night before. This feeling had become my new ‘normal,’ a terrifying reality brought on by the vodka and wine I consumed the day prior.

Drinking seven bottles of vodka a week had become routine for me at the height of my addiction, but I remained oblivious. What started as enjoyable nights with friends morphed into a chaotic lifestyle marked by blackouts, unexplained bruises, and apologies to friends for drunken behavior. I thought this was merely the cost of a good night out, especially as a sociable 25-year-old living in London. Yet, I failed to see how abnormal and spiraling my drinking had become.

Looking back, it was evident that the signs of my alcoholism were always present. My relationship with alcohol began with my first sip of Hooch at 15; I had always drunk to achieve a good buzz. During university, I thought I was mastering the art of partying, and once I entered the workforce, heavy drinking became commonplace.

British women are among the world’s highest female binge drinkers, according to a 2023 OECD report, revealing that 26% consume six or more drinks in a single sitting at least once a month. By my early twenties, I often drank far beyond that benchmark.

Dating life suffered due to my drinking; I would indulge to ease my nerves, leading many partners to describe my drunken episodes as “a nightmare.” I didn’t realize I was using alcohol to cope with any emotion—joy, sadness, or anxiety. After a severe assault while abroad at 28, I leaned on drinking to cope, marking a gradual decline in my relationship with alcohol.

As my drinking escalated, I opted to stay in with boxes of wine rather than risk embarrassment on nights out. My hangovers spiraled into anxiety and panic attacks, and I often resorted to sneaking off to pubs during work hours to "normalize" the day.

Despite recognizing my problems, I still considered alcohol the solution to my disarray. The tipping point came when I began to wake up with the shakes. Hopelessly addicted, I resorted to carrying vodka in water bottles to stave off withdrawal symptoms. My situation worsened, and I lost my job due to being drunk at work.

Things climaxed when my mother found me unresponsive at home, leading to a hospital stay where I received treatment for withdrawal. Acknowledging my addiction, I sought help from a local support group and attended AA meetings. However, my struggle persisted; I would momentarily quit drinking, only to relapse again.

Gradually, chaos unfolded further into my life. I would drink alone for days, often ending up in massive arguments with my family. I knew I needed to change. One day, I broke down—though still under the influence—and decided to seek help.

In three days, I began my stay at a rehab facility in Bournemouth, supported by my family. The first week was agonizing with withdrawal symptoms, but as time passed, I felt clarity. Through therapy, I confronted the unhealthy relationship I had with alcohol.

After six months in rehab, I emerged sober and grateful for the chance at a new life. I realized that if I had continued my path, I could have become another statistic in the rising number of women dying from alcohol-related liver disease.

Ten years have since passed, and while recovery hasn’t always been easy, it has been profoundly rewarding. I navigated ‘sober firsts’ and used the tools I gained to maintain my sobriety. Remembering the fear stemming from blackouts has reinforced my resolve; the relief of waking up without that dread feels like a victory.

Life has dramatically improved since I embraced sobriety. Relationships that once dissolved due to my alcoholism have been repaired, and I now enjoy sober dating—something drunk me wouldn’t have imagined. I’ve learned that confronting my emotions without alcohol is challenging, but it’s a far healthier existence. I can confidently say now that I don’t miss alcohol at all—escaping that toxic relationship only proved how much better off I am without it.

If you’re concerned about your drinking or someone else’s, a good first step is to see a GP. They can discuss services and treatments available. For help, you can contact:

• Alcohol Change UK
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Al-Anon Family Groups