149 Proof Florida Rum??

Seth Benhaim has never been one to play it safe in the spirits world. You might know him as the founder of Infuse Spirits Group, or from Broken Barrel Whiskey, the brand that shook things up by aging whiskey with broken staves to deliver bold, distinctive flavor. From the start, Seth’s reputation has been built on breaking convention and creating something memorable.
 
Now, he’s bringing that same creative energy to a new frontier: Mainland Rum.
 
Launched last year, Mainland American Rum Company is rethinking what rum can mean in the U.S. As an independent American rum bottler, Mainland shines a spotlight on rums made right here at home, celebrating local distilleries, distinct terroirs, and craftsmanship that is often overshadowed by imports.

Nearly 90% of the rum Americans drink comes from abroad. Meanwhile, thousands of craft distilleries across the country are quietly producing exceptional rum that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Mainland’s mission is simple: identify the best of them, bottle them thoughtfully, and help put American rum on the map.
 
Last year, we sold out of our 8-year California hazmat rum, a powerhouse that reminded us more of high-proof bourbons from producers like 13th Colony or Kings County than a traditional rum. Today, we’re back with another molasses-based 8-year hazmat release, this time sherry cask matured Florida rum  drinking even closer to well-aged American whiskey or light whiskey profiles.
 
If you’re a high-proof whiskey drinker looking to explore rum without leaving your comfort zone, this is a fantastic place to start. Alongside it, we’ve also secured a small selection of Mainland’s other limited, small-batch rums from California, Louisiana and Georgia, each with a story worth discovering.
 
Deep and intensely viscous, this 8-year Florida rum opens with a dense, fruit-forward richness that immediately showcases the influence of its sherry cask finish. 
 
The palate is luxuriously chewy and rounded, almost American whiskey-like in weight, with layers of dark dried fruit, fig, sweet cherry and earthy molasses sugars unfolding with each sip. Burnt caramel and roasted nuts add depth, while toasted oak and subtle baking spice provide structure without overshadowing the rum’s natural sweetness.
 
As it settles, the presence of proof adds grip and  heat, carrying the flavors into a long, clinging finish of spiced sugar, vanilla cream, molasses, and lingering warmth. The result is an indulgent, velvety rum that balances sherry-driven richness with a bold, structured mouthfeel.