Preserve the Legacy:
American Brandy & Rum
AMBRU Campaign
The Historic Legacy of American Brandy & Rum on the Global Stage
The AMBRU Campaign champions American Brandy and American Rum, working to position these spirits as iconic signatures of the United States on the global stage. Founded in 2020 by Caroline Porsiel and Christopher Brooks, the campaign emerged from a shared passion for uncovering the historical significance of American distilling and advocating for its economic potential. Our mission is to protect and elevate these made-in-USA liquors in international markets, ensuring their legacy as quality products with deep roots in America’s path to independence.
AMBRU Campaign
“American Brandy and Rum beat British taxes in 1776—now they’ll beat foreign rivals in 2025.“
Caroline Porsiel
Founding Member
Caroline Porsiel oversees the crafting of fine spirits and liqueurs at House of Applejay Distillery in East Ellijay, Georgia. With over a decade of experience, she steers the development of premium spirits inspired by all-natural ingredients. Her deep appreciation for the history of distilling and traditional practices shapes her innovative approach, earning her recognition and awards in the craft distilling industry.
Christopher Brooks
Founding Member
Christopher Brooks is a historian and professor at East Stroudsburg University, specializing in legal and constitutional history. Since his studies at the universities of Edinburgh and Kassel, he has acquired over two decades of experience researching US and transatlantic history. His passion for historical legal traditions informs his teaching and writing, earning him recognition in the Federalist Society and beyond.
AMBRU Campaign
Reviving American Spirits, Rebuilding American Jobs
American Brandy and American Rum aren’t just drinks—they’re pillars of U.S. history and engines of untapped economic power. Distilled since the 17th century, they fueled colonial trade and stoked the fires of independence. The AMBRU Campaign isn’t after Geographical Indicators like Cognac or Scotch—we’re fighting for a distinct designation status to lock in their place as premium American spirits, aged in North American oak, with a heritage predating bourbon. This isn’t a history lesson; it’s a blueprint for a $5 billion industry and thousands of jobs. The numbers don’t lie.
A Multi-Billion-Dollar Market Ready to Soar
The global brandy market hit $22.12 billion in 2023 and is on pace for $36.5 billion by 2030, growing at 6.8% annually (Grand View Research). Rum’s global market is tracking toward $21 billion by 2029 (Statista). Bourbon, with its U.S. designation, pulls in $4.5 billion domestically (Distilled Spirits Council, 2023). American Brandy and Rum can play in that league. A designation status highlighting their quality and heritage could snag 5% of those global markets—$2.8 billion yearly. Lean into premium branding, and we’re talking $5–6 billion, matching bourbon’s heft. That’s a future where American spirits dominate.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs—5,000 to 10,000 Strong
Spirits drive employment—1.6 million jobs nationwide, with bourbon powering 22,000 direct roles (American Distilling Institute, 2023). Craft distilleries added 12,000 jobs in five years, growing 17% annually (IBISWorld). A designation status for American Brandy and Rum could ignite 5,000–10,000 jobs over a decade: distillers refining recipes, farmers harvesting sugar cane and fruit, tourism workers welcoming visitors, and logistics crews shipping bottles. Each distillery injects $5.5 million into local economies (ADI, 2023). Fifty new or expanded operations? That’s $275 million annually, lifting communities coast to coast.
Exports: Making American Spirits Great Again
U.S. spirits exports reached $2.1 billion in 2023—bourbon led with $1.2 billion. Brandy hit $249 million and rum lags behind Caribbean powerhouses (DISCUS, 2023). A designation status could push brandy and rum exports to $750 million–$1 billion by 2035, eating into the $1.5 billion rum import pile. Today’s exports are a sliver next to imports; tomorrow, it’s a billion-dollar turnaround. That’s not just revenue—it’s American craftsmanship conquering the world.
Tourism: Trails That Turn Legacy into Cash
Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail drew 2.5 million visitors in 2023, pumping $300 million into the state (Kentucky Distillers’ Association). Craft distilleries nationwide hosted 5 million. An “American Brandy Trail” and “American Rum Trail,” tied to a national designation, could attract 1–2 million visitors yearly, generating $100–$200 million and 1,000–2,000 seasonal jobs. From California vineyards to Northeast rum strongholds to Southern cane fields, it’s heritage you can taste, spanning the nation.
“American Brandy & Rum—older than bourbon, outshining imports—need designation status to ignite a $5 billion giant. Let’s make spirits great again and create 10,000 American jobs!”
The AMBRU Vision
We’re not copying Europe’s GI rulebook—American Brandy and Rum deserve their own spotlight. Bourbon earned its designation in 1964; our spirits, born in colonial stills that defied British taxes, are past due. This status safeguards quality, sparks jobs, and carves a legacy bigger than any barrel. It’s a market poised to soar, an economy ready to thrive, a nation set to shine.
Join us to make American spirits great again—5,000+ jobs start here. Share the mission, raise a glass to what’s possible, and support us with a free signup—American Brandy and Rum are primed. Are you?
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