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A deep dive into our Spiced Rum label

25 September 2025

A deep dive into our Spiced Rum label

Our Fynoderee Spiced Rum label is a striking addition to The Fynoderee Distillery’s collection. Once again, the magical artwork was illustrated by local artist Julia Ashby Smyth, who has brought all our labels to life, and digitised for print by the talented team at 572, our local design agency.

This particular design draws you deep into the watery realm of the Glashtyn — a mysterious creature of Manx folklore said to haunt the shallow coastal waters of the Isle of Man.

The Glashtyn is a shapeshifter, appearing as a powerful water-horse in his aquatic home, yet transforming into a bedraggled but strangely handsome gentleman when he comes ashore. Cloaked in a dripping hooded coat, he does his best to conceal the one detail he cannot change: his telltale horse’s ears. 

The Details Within the Design

The Shape-Shifting Glashtyn

On our label, he emerges from the swirling brine of the Irish Sea, his pearlescent eye catching the moonlight. Legend has it that the Glashtyn has a weakness for treasure — hoarding pearls from shipwrecks and stealing them from unlucky souls he has dragged into the depths. Be warned: this intriguing character is no kindly spirit.

Mending the Nets

Though the Glashtyn takes centre stage, the Fynoderee himself hasn’t been forgotten. In folklore, he was known for helping humans in secret — particularly those who worked the land and sea. One tale tells of him mending the fishing nets of Ramsey’s fishermen overnight, and so, in quiet tribute, he makes a subtle appearance here too.

Gulls

Above the Fynoderee, you will spot Herring Gulls. Our distillery is located in Ramsey, a bustling fishing town and the starting point of the Raad Ny Foillan — the famous “Way of the Gull,” a 100-mile coastal footpath circling the island. It’s a place alive with seabirds and marine wildlife… though after nightfall, who knows what else you may encounter?

Queenies

No Manx seascape would be complete without Queen Scallops, or “Queenies.” These delicious local delicacies, harvested by Ramsey’s fleet, bring a bright pop of pink to the artwork.

Kelp

Ramsey Bay — the Island’s first Marine Nature Reserve — is rich in seaweed and seagrass meadows. These lush kelp forests are the perfect lurking ground for a sneaky Glashtyn, waiting in the shadows of the tide.

The Manx “Nickie”

Also featured is the Manx Nickie, the traditional red-sailed fishing boat of the Island. Inspired by the Cornish herring drifters of the 1800s, the Nickie takes its name from 'Nicholas'—a common Christian name among Cornish crews. It was later succeeded by the Manx Nobby, a more efficient design that required fewer crew members.

The Moon

And, as with every Fynoderee label, the full moon shines above. Known as “the light that rules the night” in Celtic mythology, the moon governed the rhythms of ancient life — from farming to fishing to feasting. Fittingly, it also illuminates the hours when our spirits are most enjoyed!

 

A Label Full of Lore

Our Spiced Rum label is more than packaging — it’s a window into Manx myth, maritime heritage, and the wild beauty of our island home.

A huge thank you to Julia Ashby Smyth for conjuring another spellbinding design, and to our friends at 572 for helping us share it with the world.





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