Overview: Barti Rum, a Pembrokeshire-based distillery, has achieved significant recognition at the 2026 World Drinks Awards with its new canned cocktail offering. The brand secured five international accolades for the Sea Buckthorn Fizz, highlighting both its flavor profile and distinctive packaging design. This release marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory.
The Full Story
Barti Rum’s Sea Buckthorn Fizz was recognized at the 2026 World Drinks Awards, receiving UK Gold in the Spirit and Mixer category and being named a Global Style Winner. The cocktail also won three design honours, including Gold for Can Design, Best Can Design and Best Label Design. Launched in February, the drink combines Barti Spiced Rum with sea buckthorn, a bright orange coastal berry known for surviving in harsh conditions and nutrient-poor soil. The berry gives the cocktail a crisp citrus flavour and tropical character rarely found in alcoholic drinks, particularly in the ready-to-drink market.
The award-winning can features a walking puffin inspired by nearby Skomer Island. Its artwork was created by Welsh artist Tom Frost, who has worked with Barti since the brand’s earliest days. Barti Rum founder Jonathan Williams said: “Tom has been part of the Barti journey from day one and was responsible for bringing our now internationally recognised Barti Rum label to life. It is a true celebration of Welsh coastal culture.”
When it came to flavour combinations, sea buckthorn was at the top of the list. Not because it was trending, and not because we were trying to be different, but because, like Barti, it is shaped by the coastline, thriving against the odds and producing something truly memorable. To receive international recognition for the cocktail’s flavour and design is a huge moment for our little Welsh rum company and a testament to the creativity, craftsmanship and heritage behind the brand.
Brand & Industry History
Barti Rum was founded in Pembrokeshire in 2017 by former street food chef Jonathan Williams and has since become one of Wales’ best-known independent spirits brands. The Sea Buckthorn Fizz is one of three ready-to-drink cocktails recently launched by Barti. The range also includes Barti Ginger and Lemon Iced Tea and Apple and Barti. Each flavour draws inspiration from the Pembrokeshire coastline where the company was founded.
What This Means
The awards come as Barti expands the canned cocktail range across Wales, with its first international shipments now on their way to Japan. Jonathan Williams noted that receiving international recognition for the cocktail’s flavour and design is a huge moment for our little Welsh rum company and a testament to the creativity, craftsmanship and heritage behind the brand.
Consumer Takeaway
The Sea Buckthorn Fizz offers drinkers a crisp citrus flavour and tropical character derived from a coastal berry that thrives against the odds. The distinctive walking puffin artwork on the can provides a visual connection to Skomer Island, while the product represents an expansion of Barti’s canned cocktail range across Wales with international availability now reaching Japan.
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