Velier Tiger Shark is a formidable second edition in the "Velier Rum Shark" series, crafted to highlight the incredible depth of pure artisanal distillation. Unlike many blended rums that prioritize consistency over character, Tiger Shark is a "vatted" rum composed exclusively of 100% pot still rums. This expression represents a meticulous selection of marks that have been matured entirely in a tropical climate in ex-bourbon barrels. By focusing on the interplay of heavy esters and tropical oak, Luca Gargano has created a spirit that embodies the "predatory" power and elegance suggested by its namesake.

Bottled at a robust 54% ABV—a nod to the classic strength favored by many rum connoisseurs—the profile is a masterclass in Jamaican "hogo." The nose is greeted by an intense wave of overripe bananas, charred pineapple, and the savory, ester-rich funk that defines Jamaican rum. On the palate, the rum is remarkably oily and concentrated, unfolding layers of dark cocoa, exotic spices, and a subtle nutty dryness from the bourbon wood. It is a bold, uncompromising spirit that bridges the gap between high-end sipping rums and raw, untamed energy.

The Story of RURUKI

Tiger Shark, or "squalo tigre", is the "battle name" that Luca Gargano earned one day while fishing in Polynesia on the island of Anaa, where he is called Ruruki—which means "tiger shark" in the local language. As he recounts in his book Nomade tra i barili (Edizioni Velier):

"The first day I go fishing with Tupana, a shark arrives and starts circling me. So, I do as Tupana told me: I strike my harpoon against the water and watch the shark swim away. Then, suddenly, I look up and see Tupana waving his arms, running through the water toward me. He is screaming something, though I can't hear him over the roar of the waves crashing against the coral reef. His gestures, however, are unmistakable: he is signaling me to run, to race toward the beach.So, without knowing what is happening, I clutch my catch to my chest and scramble out of the water, tripping and wounding myself. Only later, once we are safe, does Tupana tell me that the shark I had brushed off was no small fry. It was a Tiger Shark. A very rare presence in the lagoon. And that is how I was given my Polynesian name, Ruruki. Not, as many believe, because I am somehow similar to that animal, but because of this specific episode."