Our Story
Two Drifters Distillery is the perfect blend of rum, science, innovation and passion.
At the heart of Two Drifters is a relentless drive to improve—perfecting our rums, adopting cutting-edge sustainable practices, and inspiring others to embrace a more sustainable way of life. This ethos underpins everything we do.
The idea for Two Drifters was born in Vancouver, Canada, and brought to life in 2019 by husband-and-wife team Russ and Gemma Wakeham. From their first date (a rum tasting) to their honeymoon in St. Lucia, rum has been at the heart of their story—and the spark for their dream to create a distillery that reflects their values of quality and care for the planet.
The name Two Drifters holds a special place in their hearts, inspired by the moment Gemma walked down the aisle to Moon River, a song that perfectly captured their adventurous spirits: "Two drifters, off to see the world."
While Russ’s background in chemistry and Gemma’s passion for storytelling and marketing have taken them far and wide, they always knew they wanted to create something meaningful together. Today, they combine their expertise, creativity, and vision to craft exceptional rums while leading the charge in sustainability.
Two Drifters isn’t just a distillery—it’s a love letter to rum, adventure, and the planet we call home.
“As of right now we are influencing how the drinks business (and indeed all businesses) think about the production of their products with a view towards their carbon footprint.”
Two Drifters mission is to capture 1% of the UK rum market by 2025 and to have 1% of the Global rum market by 2030. We aim to achieve this without harming the earth by producing all of our rum with a carbon negative footprint.
Russ's academic career was deeply rooted in chemistry research, specifically focusing on carbon capture, storage, and utilization—finding ways to give CO2 tangible value. CO2 is a colorless gas with a dramatic impact on the planet’s atmosphere, yet its invisibility often makes it harder to grasp as an urgent issue. Unlike the stark visuals of plastic pollution, CO2’s buildup in the sky is invisible, making it easier to overlook despite its critical role in climate change.
Plastic pollution is rightfully receiving attention and progress, but if CO2 were as visible as plastic waste, it would be impossible for the world—and businesses—to ignore. Raising awareness about this invisible problem has always been Russ’s passion and has now become part of Two Drifters' mission.
Through Two Drifters, Russ aims to make sustainability accessible, approachable, and a topic of discussion. And what better way to have that conversation than over a delicious glass of sustainably crafted rum? Together, we’re showing that small changes and meaningful conversations can lead to big solutions for the planet.