J. Wray and Nephew Ltd.

J. Wray and Nephew Ltd. is a distiller, blender, and bottler of rum, originating and operating in Kingston, Jamaica.

History

In 1825, John Wray opened "The Shakespeare Tavern" in Kingston. In 1860, Wray brought in his nephew Charles James Ward to run the business side of the company. Wray retired in 1862 and died in 1870, leaving Ward as the sole proprietor of the business.[1]

Ward developed the tavern and liquor-dealing concern into one of Jamaica's largest exporting commercial enterprises. At the International Exhibition held in London in 1862, J. Wray and Nephew won three gold medals for its 10-, 15- and 25-year-old rums. The company's rums also won several awards and prizes at international exhibitions in Paris—1878, Amsterdam—1883, New Orleans—1885 and Jamaica 1891.

In 1916, Lindo Brothers & Co purchased Wray & Nephew. Almost immediately thereafter, the new company, J. Wray & Nephew Ltd., purchased the Appleton Estates, a plantation which had produced rum throughout the period of chattel slavery. The Appleton Estate distillery was established in 1749,[2] in Saint Elizabeth Parish in Cockpit Country in central Jamaica, based around a unique 400 hectare sugar plantation.[3]

In 1997, Joy Spence was made the master blender at J. Wray and Nephew—the first woman ever to occupy this position in the industry.[4]

In late 2012, Wray & Nephew was purchased by the Campari Group.[5]

In 2021, the company launched Wray Forward, a program to support UK Black founders and businesses.[6]

Brands

Rums produced by J. Wray & Nephew include:[1] Rare 1940s bottles of Wray and Nephew rum are valued at $54,000 a bottle.[10]