Bespoken Spirits Dark Rum

Bespoken Spirits Dark Rum is rum matured by machine learning instead of time — 750mL at 40% ABV (80 proof), built from sugar cane from the US Virgin Islands and finished in days with Bespoken's proprietary ACTivation process — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 40% (80 proof), non-chill filtered
• Size: 750mL
• Base: Sugar cane from the US Virgin Islands; distilled at Surf City Still Works, California; bottled at Treasure Island Distillery
• Process: Bespoken's proprietary ACTivation (Aroma, Color, Taste) — data-driven maturation in days instead of years; no artificial colorings or additives
• Company: Founded by Stu Aaron and Martin Janousek — Silicon Valley scientists who approached maturation like a lab experiment
• Awards: Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 and 2022 (retailer-cited)

The Rum Matured by Machine Learning

Bespoken's founders asked a simple question: what if maturation could be controlled instead of left to a warehouse? Their ACTivator uses toasted wood microstaves — "about the size of a pinky finger" — in a temperature-and-pressure-controlled reactor, cycling heat, pressure and churn to extract aroma, color and taste in days. The company claims 97% less wood consumption and no angel's share, with no additives — a precision approach to a centuries-old craft. Shop the rum collection at Del Mesa Liquor or explore the rest of the Bespoken Spirits lineup to taste the process across mash bills.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant golden-brown in the glass. The nose is fruit-forward — banana, pineapple, mango, coconut — with spice, caramel and vanilla. The palate brings cocoa cereal, spiced cider and lemon zest; the finish is smooth, with baking spice and a touch of confectioners' sugar.

How to Enjoy

This is a cocktail-first dark rum — a Daiquiri, Rum Punch or tiki build shows off the tropical fruit the process pulled out of the staves. Try it neat first to taste what "matured in days" actually drinks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bespoken's ACTivation process?
A proprietary finishing method — ACTivation stands for Aroma, Color, Taste — where microstaves go into a reactor with the spirit; controlled temperature, pressure and churn extract aroma, color and taste in days instead of years.

How old is Bespoken Dark Rum?
It carries no age statement — it is matured by the ACTivation process by design, not barrel-aged for years.

Where is it made?
Built from sugar cane from the US Virgin Islands, distilled at Surf City Still Works in California and bottled at Bespoken's Treasure Island Distillery in San Francisco.

Has it won awards?
Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020 and 2022, per retailer copy.

Curious how a data-driven dark rum drinks? Order Bespoken Spirits Dark Rum online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.