In a world full of loud-talking leaders and Internet-famous personalities, Andrew Cabot is the kind of guy you never really hear about—but when you do, you can’t forget it. Not only is he CEO and COO of Privateer Rum, one of America’s most admired craft distilleries, but he’s a man whose leadership begins with integrity, tradition, and an unshakable trust in doing it right—no matter how grim things get.
A Legacy Reimagined
Andrew Cabot was not a happenstance distiller. He had a background in tech and education. But he had a different path to take when he learned of his namesake ancestor—Andrew Cabot, a Revolutionary War privateer. And a rum distiller. That was more than coincidence. It was something personal.
In 2011, he co-founded Privateer Rum in Ipswich, Massachusetts, with a revolutionary mission: to bring honesty, transparency, and craftsmanship back to American rum. He wasn’t chasing trends. He was chasing excellence.
Privateer’s process is slow, intentional, and grounded in respect—respect for ingredients, respect for time, and respect for people. Unlike the majority of commercial rums, theirs contain no added sugar, no artificial coloring, and no gimmicks. Just spirit, skill, and story.
The Man Behind the Mission
You wouldn’t catch Andrew Cabot at the podium or bellowing commands out of a windowed office if you were to tour Privateer’s plant. You’d be more likely to spot him in the thick of things—tasting barrels, talking with workers, quietly tweaking to improve it. His leadership is not loud. It’s seasoned.
He practices doing the work before taking credit—and it shows. Peers characterize him as introspective, gracious, and strongly values-driven. The type of boss who hears more than he speaks. The type of founder who still signs off every bottle before leaving the plant.
At a time when so many CEOs pursue spotlight, Andrew fashioned a brand that grew quietly in the shadows—until now.
When Private Life Becomes Public
Andrew Cabot’s name was in the news in July 2025—but not for rum. A kiss-cam shot, now viral, at a Coldplay concert featured his wife, Kristin Cabot, Chief People Officer at tech company Astronomer, sharing an intimate moment with her CEO, Andy Byron. It was soon posted online and a media firestorm exploded.
For the public, it was shocking. But for Andrew Cabot, it was about personal matters.
The internet tends to turn intimate moments into public spectacle, without permission or framing. Overnight, people were reading through Kristin’s work history, learning about the $2.2 million home she and Andrew purchased in Rye on New Hampshire’s coast early in the year, and speculating about what their marriage will be like—all of which Andrew has not spoken about publicly.
And maybe that’s the point.
In a time when so many rush to make statements or fight narratives, Cabot just did what he always does: dignity vs. drama. He stayed mum, kept reporting to work, and just kept focusing on what he could manage—the quality of his rum and the well-being of his crew.
The Company He Keeps
Privateer Rum remains unscathed by the headlines. In fact, its reputation has never been better. Brand loyalists have rallied to Cabot’s side on the Internet, not only defending his work but his chill. And to many, the brand’s underlying values—honesty, transparency, craft—now seem to represent something even deeper: character.
Future fall drops stay on track, and Privateer expands its presence in high-end restaurants, bars, and collector circles. Even in personal adversity, Cabot’s steady hand has kept the ship on track.
More significantly, however, than “rising above” the battle, Cabot’s conduct has shown something: the brand that he built is not a facade. It’s a real expression of himself.
A Different Kind of Leader
What makes Andrew Cabot exceptional isn’t ability in producing world-class rum—it’s his ability to remain humble when the world is becoming unhinged.
He’s a different kind of leader in an age when we so desperately require them. Not image-driven. Not reactive. Not performative. Just real.
He reminds us that power does not necessarily have to be loud. It’s sometimes silent. It’s being at peace when your name is trending for all the wrong reasons. It’s keeping at your art when the world asks for a statement. It’s allowing your art to speak more than any rumour.
To date, no official word from Andrew Cabot on the personal side, and perhaps never will emerge. But this is what is absolute: Privateer Rum remains a shining example of integrity in American spirits, and Andrew Cabot remains its calm, committed captain.
Life is not always where you imagine you’re headed. But if we can glean anything from Andrew Cabot, it’s this: when the storms roll in, you don’t need to yell above the thunder. Every now and then, you just steer the ship with quiet strength, and continue making something lovely.