Nolan is new Tortuga CEO

The Tortuga Rum Company has appointed Eugene Nolan as Chief Executive Officer, responsible for overseeing the company’s operations as the leading liquor retailer and distributor of beers, wines, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages as well as food in the Cayman Islands.

Since the passing of Tortuga’s founder Robert Hamaty in 2020, the family-owned business has faced the challenges of the pandemic and closed borders controlled by family members and the board of the directors. With business back to pre-pandemic levels, Nolan will steer the company forward.

“I’m excited to work with the Tortuga team to amplify Tortuga,” said Nolan, who has worked in the Cayman Islands for more than 30 years. “Mr Hamaty was an extremely passionate leader and entrepreneur who, together with his wife Carlene, grew an original idea for a local rum and rum cake into an international business. I look forward to leading Tortuga on the next stage of its journey.”

With more than 30 years’ experience, prior to joining Tortuga, Nolan was the Managing Partner of Savage Consulting a leader in business development where he offered operational, financial and business development expertise to local and international clients.

Tortuga Rum Company was founded in 1984 when Robert and Carlene Hamaty introduced Cayman’s first private label rums: Tortuga Gold and Tortuga Light and Tortuga Rum Cake. Three years later, they opened a duty-free liquor store in George Town and became licensed as a wholesale distributor, laying the foundations for Tortuga’s operations today as Cayman’s leading retailer for beers, wines and spirits with 19 stores in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, and the distributor for over 300 brands including Coca-Cola, Flor De Cana Rum, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Hendrick’s Gin and Stoli Vodka.

Tortuga’s famous rum cakes are still made on the premises at Tortuga’s visitor centre on North Sound Road, and there is a newly renovated visitor centre where the famous rum cakes can be viewed being baked, expansion of the company information, and of course pick up a freshly baked Tastee Patty and beverage.

“As business continues to pick up post-pandemic, our main priority for 2023 is to boost our existing assets – our stores, our people,” said Nolan who is familiar with the company’s operations having acted as a consultant last year. “We are very excited with the launch of our new website allowing for seamless on-line shopping which has been made easy for our customers, delivering a delightful customer experience including a new tracking feature which allows you to track your order right to your front door step.”

As Tortuga’s Chief Executive Officer, Nolan will work closely with the board of directors which is chaired by Wilfred Baghaloo and includes members of the Hamaty family.