Renowned food expert and TV personality Merlin Griffiths has awarded Barti Spiced Rum a gold Badge at this year’s Great British Food Awards.

The team behind Barti Rum is proud to announce that they have been awarded a gold accolade at the Great British Food Awards 2024 within the spirits category for its spiced rum.

The winning entry from Pembrokeshire, will now be regarded as one of the very best products available within the UK’s exciting food and drink sector in 2024.

Barti Spiced is a rum described by its creators as the most flavourful spiced rum on the market. A symphony of classic spices such as vibrant vanilla, subtle cinnamon and sweet citrus are combined and infused with wild picked laver seaweed, the seaweed serves to lift and enhance the traditional warming taste and make the drink exceptionally smooth. Barti boasts it’s chameleon like ability to be savoured as a sipping drink, while being equally enjoyable and unlost with a mixer or cocktail.

The item was judged by top industry expert Merlin Griffiths who some will know as the head bar tender in Channel 4’s First Dates. Griffiths also runs a chain of successful bars in the North of England.

Category judge Merlin Griffiths described Barti Rum as follows: “What a wonderful spiced spirit Barti is. It has lashings of vanilla, citrus, cinnamon and cloves all underpinned by a subtle umami note from Welsh seaweed. Satisfying both neat on the rocks, and in Daiquiri or Swizzle. Add solid eco credentials and stylish packaging, and we have really fun spiced rum. Truly excellent spiced spirit.”

Having been awarded the highest accolade within the Great British Food Awards 2024, Barti Spiced Rum will now be promoted across Great British Food’s print, online and social channels in celebration of its achievement.

Of the win, Fran Barnikel, managing director at Barti Rum said, “This is an enormous badge of honour for our much loved spiced rum. There are so many wonderful spirit brands in the UK today, to get this recognition nationally is really very special. We’re glad the judges like it as much as we do!”

Barti’s win comes within the first weeks of the product appearing on the shelves of Tesco regionally in Wales. The now award winning Barti Spiced as well as a second product, Barti Cream Liqueur launched in Tesco in September this year and Tesco shoppers cannot get enough of it, so much so that shelves are starting to become sparse while the Tesco supply system struggles to keep abreast of orders to fulfil demand. Paul Johns, store manager inHaverfordwest stated “Sales are excellent! I’m struggling to keep up with it!”

Sources suggest that huge surges in sales in hot spot areas is seriously unusual for a newly listed product, so much so it’s causing the algorithm which generates orders to get confused leading to empty space in store where the bottles should be. Barti Cream has been the main victim of this meaning shoppers are struggling to get their fix of the unique, creamy, plant-based liqueur. Not ideal given the creators behind it struggled to keep at this very same time last year when Barti Cream was initially launched.

Erin at Barti Rum said “People actually call it the great Barti cream drought of 2023, we really don’t want to be in that situation again.”

Barti Spiced, winner of the Great British Food award for “Best Rum” is available from lots of brilliant independent stockists around the country, Tesco and Co-op in Wales, and of course online at www.bartirum.wales for updates and serve suggestions follow @bartirum on social media.

THREE new wind turbines to bolster renewable capacity at Waterston Renewables Energy Park

DRAGON Energy’s plans for three wind turbines at the Waterston Renewables Energy Park have gained planning approval. Supported by Dragon LNG, the company acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders, including residents of Waterston, Llanstadwell, and Blackbridge, who have engaged since community consultations began in March 2022.

The turbines, designed to complement the park’s 18,500 solar panels, aim to cut emissions and support decarbonisation goals. The new energy infrastructure is expected to be operational by Q4 2026, boosting local renewable energy output.

Community fund to support skills

In line with its community-focused mission, Dragon Energy has established a community benefit fund, suggested by local residents and set to operate for at least a decade from the project’s launch. Beginning in September 2025, the fund will provide upskilling opportunities and energy subsidies specifically for Waterston, Llanstadwell, and Blackbridge residents.

Simon Ames, Managing Director of Dragon, said: “The addition of three wind turbines will bring both immediate construction jobs and lasting benefits to our community. Combined with our solar farm, these renewable assets will help offset about 11,500 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. When on-site demand is low, clean electricity will also be fed into the local grid. We’re immensely grateful for the project team’s hard work and the support from our stakeholders, allowing us to capitalise on this prime location for onshore wind, significantly reducing our scope II carbon emissions.”

Dragon Energy is partnering with Boralex, its consenting and construction advisor, and will maintain open communication with the community and stakeholders throughout the project.

THE NUMBER of Welsh companies with overdue invoices on their books reached a 2024 high in September, according to new research from R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body.

R3’s analysis of data provided by Creditsafe shows that 18,360 Welsh businesses had unpaid invoices on their books last month – the highest monthly total of the year so far.

The number of Welsh firms with overdue invoices on their books rose by 3.7% in September 2024 when compared to September 2023’s total of 17,709.

Bethan Evans, Interim Chair of R3 in Wales, says: “The rise in businesses failing to pay their bills on time is a clear sign that economic recovery in Wales is still fragile.

“While some sectors may be bouncing back, many firms are still grappling with the ongoing effects of rising costs, wage pressures, and reduced consumer spending, which is making it harder for them to manage their cash flow effectively.”

The number of overdue invoices in Wales also reached a 2024 high in September, with a total 145,687 recorded. This is a slight yearly rise of 0.3% when compared to September 2023’s total of 145,273.

Bethan, who is a partner at Menzies LLP, continues: “Wales’s business debt burden has crept up every month since March and this is creating a growing financial pressure for businesses.

“Without a consistent improvement in payment practices or cash flow, many companies may find it increasingly difficult to manage their debt and maintain operations, and we could see more and more businesses in Wales turning to a formal insolvency solution as a result.

“I would urge business owners and directors that are seeing their debt levels rise to seek advice as soon as they can from a qualified professional. Most R3 members in Wales will be happy to provide a free initial consultation so you can explain the challenges you’re facing, and help you understand the best course of action for you and your business.”