NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum partners with C.F. Martin & Co.® to release two Ink & Wood limited edition guitars. With more than 50 hours of work time dedicated to each individual instrument, the guitars, “Homeward Bound” and “True Love,” feature iconic imagery from Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, and the craftsmanship known to C.F. Martin & Co. The guitars will retail for $19,999.00 and be available to order worldwide beginning January 2019 through Martin’s established dealer and distributor networks. 

Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum was created to honor Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, a Navy vet who built his rep inking soldiers and sailors in WWII-era Honolulu where he established his legendary tattoo parlor and himself as the undisputed father of American old-school tattooing. Whereas Martin revolutionized the industry with X bracing and the first dreadnought sized guitar, Norman Collins revolutionized color in his tattoos as the first artist to use purple ink and popularized the hardline tattoo style still used today. Where Martin focused on the art of music, Collins turned to the art of the body, making strides in their own industries that would inspire the minds at C.F. Martin & Co.® to create these special designs. Throughout their history Collins and Martin’s paths crossed in unusual ways, with Koa-wood guitars responsible for the spread of Hawaiian music across the nation and Collins’ Island-inspired designs following soon after. The Ink & Woodseries celebrates these histories and pays homage to the two men behind them.

“Being approached by Martin Guitars for this partnership shows the lasting impact that Norman Collins has had, not only in the tattoo world, but in greater pop culture as well,” said Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum Global Ambassador Daniel “Gravy” Thomas. “With Martin Guitar’s legendary craftsmanship, this partnership is the ultimate compliment and testament to Norman’s legacy.”

C.F. Martin & Co. used state-of-the-art techniques to craft the nautical and floral themed instruments, including a method known as inlay, the art of removing fragments of wood from the guitar base to replace them with a specified design. Never painted or drawn, the images on the guitars are made from different colored pearl and wood that has been reworked and reimagined to create the iconic designs of Norman Collins, shared by the Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum bottle. With the goal to mimic the visual of tattoos on skin, the added technique of sand shading the wood adds a three-dimensional quality by placing individual pieces in hot sand to burn it to just the right shade. This creates a gradient effect that adds depth and weight to the designs.

“Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins and the rum brand he inspired has a story that’s both inspirational and unique,” said C.F. Martin & Co. Custom Shop Director Scott Sasser. “His artistry transcends the tattoo world, and our work on the Ink & Wood series celebrates this.”

The “True Love” and “Homeward Bound” Ink & Wood guitars feature many hand-crafted design elements.

Built to honor both Norman Collins and C.F. Martin & Co., the two guitars will debut on January 24-27 at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, California, before embarking on a nationwide tour at Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum events throughout 2019.

To learn more about Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum visit www.sailorjerry.com. 
To learn more about C.F. Martin & Co. visit www.martinguitar.com.

RESPECT HIS LEGACY. DRINK SAILOR JERRY RESPONSIBLY. NEVER DRINK & DRIVE. 
2019 Sailor Jerry Rum, 46% Alc./Vol. William Grant & Sons, Inc. New York, NY.

About Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum 
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum was created to honor Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, a Navy vet who built his rep inking soldiers and sailors in WWII-era Honolulu where he established his legendary tattoo parlor and himself as the undisputed father of American old school tattooing. Crafted in the traditional Navy way by William Grant & Sons, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is bold and smooth, with hints of caramel and vanilla. Just like the man who inspired it, this 92 proof rum speaks for itself and holds itself to the traditional values and standards of craftsmanship that Norman Collins espoused. Made in America from Caribbean Rum and blended with spices including ginger, cinnamon, clove and vanilla, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is an exceptionally smooth drink with an ABV of 46%. From the liquid itself to the packaging, every detail of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum stays true to the vision of Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins. For more information, visit www.sailorjerry.com or follow www.twitter.com/sailorjerry and www.facebook.com/SailorJerry.

About William Grant & Sons 
William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich^®, The Balvenie^® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch, Grant’s^®, as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s^® Gin, Sailor Jerry^® Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W.^® Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder^® Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Drambuie^® Scotch Liqueur.

William Grant & Sons has been honored as “Distiller of the Year” by the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition and International Spirits Challenge 12 times over the past 13 years, including the most recent award in 2018.

Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the USA with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Drambuie, Milagro Tequila, Grant’s, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson’s Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Flor de Caña Rum, The Knot and Raynal French Brandy. For more information on the company and its brands, please visit www.grantusa.com.

About Martin Guitars and Strings 
C. F. Martin & Co.^® has been Inspiring Musicians Worldwide^® for nearly two centuries with their superior guitar and string products. Martin guitars and strings remain the choice for musicians around the world for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. Throughout the company’s long history, Martin products can be seen and heard across all genres of music and in all segments of pop culture, from concert and theater stages to television and movies.

With an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, Martin continually drives the acoustic guitar market forward, introducing innovative features that have become standards across the industry. These groundbreaking innovations include the introduction of X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the “Dreadnought” size guitar.

Martin has also led innovations in strings, such as introducing the first high-tensile strength steel-string core wire; the first nickel acoustic strings (Martin Retro^®); the proprietary Titanium Core strings; and now the groundbreaking, new Authentic Acoustic line, which offers unmatched stability, tone, comfort, and longevity. Learn more here: www.martinguitar.com/aa.

SOURCE Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum