Welcome to the Taste of Tradition

History

Our History
The Great Exchange

Long before any Canadian liquor board was created, the Jamaican rum that was eventually to be known as Screech was a mainstay of the traditional Newfoundland diet.

At this time, salt fish was being shipped to the West Indies in exchange for rum. This resulted in fish becoming the national dish for Jamaicans and rum becoming the traditional drink for Newfoundlanders.

Our History
The Early Days

Not being overly concerned with alcohol content, the early fishermen tended to drink the rum at incredibly high strength with no attempt made to temper the taste.

When the government took control of the alcohol trade in the early 20th century they put the rum in a sophisticated, unlabeled bottle and fortunately did not alter the rum itself.

Our History
The Screecher

This delightful product may have continued indefinitely as a nameless rum except for the influx of American servicemen to Newfoundland during World War II.

As the story goes, a visiting American WWII serviceman downed the rum in one quick toss. His howls of distress caused a bystander to rush to his aid, roaring “What the cripes was that ungodly screech?” The taciturn Newf simply replied, “The screech?” ‘Tis the rum, me son.” As word of the incident spread more soldiers began trying this mysterious rum, adopting it as their favorite. Thus a legend was born.

The funny name stuck, and today the rum and its place in Newfoundland’s culture have become legendary.

Screech Products

Screech Rum

Newfoundland
Screech Rum

#1 Selling dark rum in Newfoundland and, enjoyed from coast to coast in Canada.

An award-winning Jamaican rum, steeped in history – crafted in Newfoundland. Sweet taste of caramelized sugars, ripe fruits, vanilla and oak. A smooth, balanced blend with no sugar added.

Imported from Jamaica for over 200 years, Screech is a true part of Newfoundland culture & tradition.

Screech Honey

Newfoundland
Screech Honey

The first honey flavoured rum on the market.

Sweet taste of honey and citrus, with subtle notes of vanilla & spice- provides perfection to your glass! Garnish with a lemon wedge.

A very smooth, high quality rum with no sugar added.

Screech Spiced 100

Newfoundland
Screech Spiced 100

For drinkers who enjoy a little heat in their glass!

A sweet taste of caramelized sugars, spices, oak and vanilla.

A powerful, but smooth high quality rum with no sugar added!

A powerful, but smooth high quality rum with no sugar added.

Screech Spiced

Newfoundland
Screech Spiced

Screech Rum’s newest flavoured extension – Exclusive for the  US market only!

Screech Spiced Rum is a blend of 4 to 8 years aged Demerara (Guyana) Rums. Infused with a select blend of natural spices, the product has a sweet taste of caramelized sugars, spices, oak and vanilla.

A smooth high quality rum with no sugar added.

A smooth high quality rum with no sugar added.

Recipes

Screech
Metropolitan

Forget the Cosmo, make a “metro!”

  • 2 oz. Newfoundland Screech Rum
  • 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Orange Liqueur
  • Juice of One Lime
  • Splash of Club Soda

Shake all ingredients except club soda with ice; strain into martini glass, top with splash of club soda and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Screech
Dark & Dirty

See if you have what it takes to be a Newfoundlander!

  • 2 oz. Newfoundland Screech Rum
  • Cola or Diet Cola

Fill a tall glass with ice, add Newfoundland Screech, and top with your favourite Cola.

Screech
Punch

Sit back and listen to the sound of the waves against the shore…

  • 1 oz. Newfoundland Screech Rum
  • 1 oz. Coconut Rum
  • 1 oz. Orange Juice
  • 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • 1 oz. Cranberry Juice

 

Shake all ingredients together and serve over ice, garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

Screech
Muffled

No one can hear you scream...

  • 1 oz. Newfoundland Screech
  • 1/4 oz. Triple Sec or Grand Marnier
  • 2 ozs. Cream or Milk

Place a few ice cubes in a glass; layer Screech and Triple Sec or Grand Marnier and top with cream or milk.

Screech
Christmas Cheer

Light the fire, hang the stockings and wait for good ‘ole St. Nick.

  • 1.5 oz. of Screech
  • 3 oz. Egg Nog

Combine Screech and Egg Nog, over ice; stir and top with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Screech
Honey Hound

Shake and strain over ice in a salted glass. Grapefruit garnish.

  • 2 oz. Screech Honey Rum
  • 1 oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
  • .5 oz. simple syrup
  • .5 oz. fresh lime juice

Screech
Summer Toddy

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

  • 2 oz. Screech Spiced Rum
  • .75 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • .75 oz. honey simple syrup (1:1 honey and hot water dissolved)

 

Screech
Newfoundland Flower

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

  • 2 oz. Screech Rum
  • 1 oz. St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur
  • .75 oz. fresh lime juice

 

Screech
Storm

  • 2 oz. Screech (any varietal) into highball glass full of ice
  • Fill with ginger beer
  • Lime slice squeezed in

Screech
Submit your own recipe

Share your favourite drink recipe with us & all over the globe!

Traditional Screech-ins

Screech-in
Introduction

How-to Guide

Would you like to join the Royal Order of Screechers? In just a few minutes you can become an honourary Newfoundlander!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First you must learn how to conduct your very own official Screech-In Ceremony.

Follow these six simple steps and you’ll be a honorary Newf in no time!

Screech-in
Ceremony

Choosing the Master of Ceremonies

First, are any Newfoundlanders present? Lucky you, your the Master of Ceremonies!

No? No problem! On the count of three, everyone call out the name of the person in the room who most likes the sound of his or her own voice.

Now, being the Master of Ceremonies is an important job – it’s up to you to read the instructions aloud and make sure that everyone follows them.

Screech-in
Preparation

Preparing the Screech

Now it’s time to set the scene.

You’re about to prepare your very own sample of our delicious rum. Pass the bottle of Screech around and pour the drink of your choice into a shot glass.

Mixed or not mixed? It’s your choice!

Screech-in
Pucker Up

Pucker Up!

Even the most landlocked mainlander knows that the traditional Newfoundland Screech-In ceremony means kissing a cod.

Why? Because, kissing the cod meant a simple bon voyage to those who were sailing South and returning with the rum!

Don’t be shy, they never get tired of a nice kiss from an attractive Come-From-Away!

Screech-in
The Creed

Reciting the Screecher's Creed

Everyone: “From the waters of the Avalon, to the shores of Labrador,

We’ve always stuck together, with a Rant and a Roar.

To those who’ve never been, soon they’ll understand,

From coast to coast, we raise a toast, We love thee Newfoundland!”

Screech-in
The Creed - Part 2

Reciting the Screecher's Creed

Master of Ceremonies – ask your audience:
“Is ye a Screecher?”

Audience Replies:
“Deed I is me old cock, and long may your big jib draw!”

They may need to say it a couple of times to get a feel for it.

Screech-in
The Creed - Part 3

Screecher's Creed Translation

You might be a bit lost, so here’s a basic translation:

Deed I is: Indeed, I am.

Me Old Cock: And old English Cockney term of endearment, meaning buddy or friend.

Long may your big jib draw: A mariner’s term meaning good luck – may there always be wind in your sails.

Screech-in
Bottom's Up

Bottom's Up!

It’s now time to taste the famous Newfoundland Screech Rum.

Ready, steady, go!

 

Newfoundland-Screech-Certificate

Download the Certificate

Book your Screech-in here

Awards

Check out our
Awards

  • Craft Spirits Award

    Craft Spirits Award

    These high honours were received by Screech Rum from the 2014 Craft Spirit Awards held in Los Angeles, California:

    Screech Original – GOLD

    Screech Spiced – GOLD

    Screech Honey – SILVER

     

  • SIP Awards (Consumer's Choice) - 2014

    SIP Awards (Consumer's Choice)

    SIP Awards (Consumer’s Choice) 2014:

    Screech Rum – Platinum Award (Best in Class)

    Screech Spiced Rum– Platinum

    Screech Honey – Bronze

  • World Spirits Competition - 2014

    World Spirits Competition

    World Spirits Competition 2014

    Screech Spiced - Platinum Award (Best in Class)

  • Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition - 2014

    Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition

    Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition Las Vegas 2014

    Screech Rum – Gold Medal Winner

    Judged by reputable Tasting Panel Magazine

  • Ultimate Spirits Challenge - 2014

    Ultimate Spirits Challenge

    Screech Rum was rated 92 points by the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and named a ‘Great Value!’

    Screech Honey and Screech Spiced also received a “Recommended” rating.

  • San Francisco Spirits Competition - 2013

    San Francisco Spirits Competition

    San Francisco Spirits Competition 2013

    Screech Rum – Double Gold Medal

  • Rum Howler Award - 2013

    Rum Howler Award

    In 2013 our Newfoundland Screech Spiced Rum was named “Best Spiced Rum” and also that year our Famous Newfoundland Screech Rum” was the runner-up for “Best Rum Bottled in North America.”

  • Rum Howler Award - 2011

    Rum Howler Award

    In 2011 our Newfoundland Screech Rum was named “Best Rum From North America” and in 2012 was runner-up for the same award.