Dave Marsland

Dave Marsland is an award-winning spirits expert and entrepreneur with 18 years of industry experience. He owns the brand agency Drinks Enthusiast and founded the Manchester Rum Festival. A published author and historian on Saint Lucian rum, he also serves as a UK brand ambassador for St. Lucia Distillers. Colleagues describe him as passionate, knowledgeable, and professional.

Dave has transformed a lifelong passion for rum, which began in his local pub, into a multi-faceted career. He dedicates himself to educating consumers and bartenders, frequently traveling to host tastings, judge competitions, and visit distilleries. His social media highlights his deep engagement with the global "rum family" and the broader drinks community.

He authored and self-published the first definitive history of Saint Lucian sugarcane and rum, a five-year passion project involving extensive archival research and interviews.