Banter Rum
Our Story
Banter is revival rum. For more than 200 years, rum was the most important spirit in the U.S., and despite Americans consuming more than 25% of the world's rum today, the continental U.S. produces less than 1% of the global supply. The American rum shelf has grown stale, with the same beige bottles and tired pirate themes dominating the market. Banter is high-quality, approachable, and affordable rum designed for the American community that shaped it, built for casual, at-home occasions and versatile enough to shine on the bar.
The Founders
Banter Rum is the first release from The House of American Cane, founded in Louisiana in 2025 by Maggie Campbell, Darin Vest, and Chaz Vest to rekindle America's love affair with rum. Maggie Campbell serves as CEO, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience as former President of Privateer Rum and a member of Mount Gay's Private Projects leadership team, with training through the Siebel Institute, a WSET Diploma, coursework through the Institute of Masters of Wine, and study at Jamaica's alcohol school. Both Banter expressions were custom blended by Maggie for the thoughtful mixologist.
How We Make It
Banter White and Banter Amber are both pot-and-column blends of cane juice and molasses rums sourced from across the Caribbean and Central America rather than distilled from scratch in-house. Banter White blends Dominican cane juice with Jamaican molasses rum, unaged. Banter Amber blends Dominican cane juice with Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Guatemalan molasses rums aged up to four years. Both are additive-free, with no added sweeteners, flavorings, or shortcuts.
Details
- Location
- Lafayette, LA
- Founded
- 2025
- Website
- www.thebanterisbetter.com/
- @thebanterisbetter
Gallery
Meet the Team
Maggie Campbell
CEO & Co-founder
Formerly President of Privateer Rum and a member of Mount Gay's Private Projects leadership team, with training through the Siebel Institute, a WSET Diploma, coursework through the Institute of Masters of Wine, and study…
Darin Vest
Co-founder
Chaz Vest
Co-founder
