Who said rum was just for pirates? You can now learn all about the spirit in Notting Hill following the launch of free masterclasses.

After smashing the Guinness World Record for having the most rums commercially available, a whopping 372, Cottons Caribbean Restaurant and Salon De Rhum in Notting Hill are offering the classes to rum newcomers and rumaholics alike.

And where better to learn about rum than in a bar surrounded by more than 370 bottles of the spirit?

Guests tried five different rums from the Angostura range

On the last Wednesday in every month throughout 2017, classes are being held at 2pm and 6pm and are open to everyone.

Each class lasts for around one hour and a half, leaving you plenty of time to start making your way through the 372 rums behind the bar afterwards.

GetWestLondon was invited along to try out the first class, which featured the well known rum, Angostura, famous for their bitters but now becoming increasingly well known for their award winning Trinidadian rums.

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Guests were treated to a rum cocktail on arrival, alarmingly called "Rum Suicide", containing Angostura 7, lime, sugar and mint.

Guests were treated to a Rum Suicide on arrival

After sipping on a fresh taste of the Caribbean, we were invited to sit down to a rum tasting class.

As rum apprentices, we were treated to some rum themed freebies, a detailed history of the Angostura rum and its origins, before being treated to a taste of five different rums, ranging in tastes to suit all palletes.

And to finish off the night, a slightly more rowdy crew were invited back into the bar to learn, hands-on, how to make the perfect rum cocktail with Barry Lamine, barman at Cottons.

Nadia Laaes, who was new to rum beforehand, was one of the guests who signed up for the first rum masterclass after.

She said she would recommend it to others, adding it was "very informative".

"I think I've learnt a lot more about rum being more than just a mixer, that it can be drunk by itself as well, which is something I never really considered," she added.

To sign up to one of the free classes, head to the website , but make sure you book well in advance as the classes are filling up fast.

The bar has 372 rums

In February, the chosen rum is Dominican Republic’s Brugal rum, with Stroh rum, Matusalem rum and Havana rum featuring at classes later on in the year.

So what are you waiting for? Release your inner pirate and sign up for a night of rum fun.

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