When Eric Winter invites you to a drinks tasting with his rum, Palm Republic, it’s an offer you can’t resist.
The Rookie star met HELLO! in downtown Manhattan to talk us through his brand’s two bespoke rums, while discussing the story behind his career pivot and the support he’s received along the way from his many loyal fans, not to mention his co-stars – who have been known to sip a Palm Republic cocktail or two at cast parties.
“To me, this is not just another celebrity spirit, this has been a passion of mine over the past 20 years – the real star here is our unique blend of rum,” Eric said as we sampled the first of his two rums – a silver rum with banana and nutmeg among its notes.
The liquor tasted incredible – clean and highly sippable. Eric – who founded Palm Republic in 2024 with business partner Brad Parkes – proudly showed us that he was changing the design of the bottles too, which were months in the making.
The elevated new design was made with everything in mind, from the length being easy to fit into a bartender’s hand during a busy shift “you want big when you’re pouring”, to standing out as the ideal gift in a liquor store. What’s more, the ridges of the bottle are shaped like leaves of a palm frond, while the wave at the base of the bottle symbolises the Caribbean sea.
“Our aged rum is from Panama, Jamaica, and USVI. There are three distinct palm fronds on the label as a little Easter egg