Brand
Stolen
Stolen is a spirits brand founded in New Zealand, known for smoked rums and ready-to-drink products like Rock & Rye; it also offers expressions of whisky/american whiskey and overproof rums, with a strong focus on marketing and international distribution.
- New Zealand
- Since 2010
- 1 product
The story
According to industry sources the brand was founded in 2010 by two rum enthusiasts in New Zealand. Initially focused on rum (including smoked and overproof versions), the range was later expanded to whiskey and ready-to-drink products such as Rock & Rye. The brand has attracted investment from industry operators (including Liquid Asset Brands/Spirit Investment Partners) to expand distribution, particularly in the United States and other international markets.
Production philosophy
Irreverent, product‑focused positioning: Stolen emphasizes a strong identity and bold flavor impact rather than traditional narratives, highlighting format innovation and sensory finishes.
Territory
Origin New Zealand, distribution and commercial presence in international markets (including the United States and Europe).
Production method
Stolen operates as a brand that selects, blends and finishes distillates produced by third parties: for rum reported components include column‑distilled spirit from Trinidad & Tobago and pot‑still Jamaican components for some expressions; for whisky the brand sources distillates on the market (e.g. MGP) then ages and/or finishes them with smoked staves or in used barrels. Some expressions include added aromatic ingredients (coffee, vanilla, fenugreek) and smoking treatments with American wood.
Distillation
Sources indicate use of column‑distilled rum components (e.g. Trinidad & Tobago) and pot‑still components for Jamaican expressions; for whisky the brand uses sourced distillates (e.g. MGP) which are then aged and/or finished by the brand.
Ageing
Aging in used barrels (e.g. ex‑whisky / ex‑bourbon) and finishing with smoked/toasted staves; some expressions undergo short finishing in toasted barrels or on staves.
Characteristics
- Type
- Brand
- Categories
- spirits brand
- smoked rum
- overproof rum
- American whisky (bottled / finishes)
- ready-to-drink / Rock & Rye
- Raw materials
- cereals
- cane sugar / molasses
- Botanicals
- Arabica coffee (used in some expressions)
- vanilla (Madagascar, cited for some recipes)
- fenugreek
- rosemary (mentioned in Rock & Rye descriptions)
- honey
- orange peel
- Casks and ageing vessels
- used ex-whisky barrels
- ex-bourbon / used barrels
- toasted/charred staves for finish
- Representative products
- Cereal Spirit Drink Rock & Rye 70cl - Stolen
- Stolen Smoked Rum
- Stolen Overproof Rum (SX9 / Overproof)
- Stolen American Whiskey 11 Year
What makes it distinctive
- Brand founded in New Zealand and launched in 2010.
- Diverse range: rum (including smoked), overproof, aged whisky and ready-to-drink Rock & Rye.
- Works with third‑party producers/distilleries for distillates (e.g. components from Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica) and applies distinctive finishes such as smoked staves.
- Has received investment from industry operators to support international expansion.