Following the launch of our Demerara series with the post here, where we introduced the legendary rums of this iconic region, we are excited to continue the journey with another extraordinary bottle: the Lemon Hart 151 Proof Demerara Rum.
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Lehman Hart, born in 1768 into a rum-importing family in Cornwall, was destined for the riches of the Caribbean. As a Jewish merchant of German origin, Lehman later took over the family business, moving it to London's West India Docks and renaming it Lemon Hart Rum Company to conceal his heritage. His Demerara blends quickly gained fame, and he became the first official rum supplier to the British Royal Navy.
After Lehman’s son David retired and sold the business to Mr. Norris, the brand found its way to rum-importing legends Portal and Dingwall. In 1941, during the London Blitz, many merchant districts, including the Alfred Lamb offices, were bombed. During this difficult time, Portal, Dingwall & Norris provided shelter for competitors, and by 1946, several companies formally joined to form United Rum Merchants. Under this new entity, Lemon Hart shifted focus toward golden Jamaica rums while allowing Lamb's Guyana rums to take the spotlight.
However, United Rum Merchants' independence was short-lived, as the company was sold to Bookers, a powerhouse in the sugar industry, in 1949. From their London offices on Tooley Street, Lemon Hart Jamaica Rum was heavily promoted, leading to the now-legendary advertising campaigns drawn by Ronald Searle starting in 1951.
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At our auction RCA2024-09, we are proud to present one of the rare Lemon Hart 151 Proof Demerara Rum bottles from the early 1950s. This bottle commemorates both the Guyanese legacy of the brand and the old premises of United Rum Merchants’ offices in 40 Eastcheap, as marked by the EC3 zip code on the label. With its vintage glassware, an impressive 75.5% ABV, and a blend of classic Demerara rums, this bottle is a true collector’s item.
For further reading on Lemon Hart and its legendary releases, we recommend checking out these insightful blog posts:
This article was contributed by guest author Artur Schönhütte, known for his blog DunderHut, where he regularly shares insights on this topic.