Exclusive: Eric Winter talks exciting career away from The Rookie and how his co-stars are supporting him every step of the way

When Eric Winter invites you to a drinks tasting with his rum, Palm Republic, it’s an offer you can’t resist. 

The Rookie star met HELLO! in downtown Manhattan to talk us through his brand’s two bespoke rums, while discussing the story behind his career pivot and the support he’s received along the way from his many loyal fans, not to mention his co-stars – who have been known to sip a Palm Republic cocktail or two at cast parties. 

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« To me, this is not just another celebrity spirit, this has been a passion of mine over the past 20 years – the real star here is our unique blend of rum, » Eric said as we sampled the first of his two rums – a silver rum with banana and nutmeg among its notes. 

The liquor tasted incredible – clean and highly sippable. Eric – who founded Palm Republic in 2024 with business partner Brad Parkes – proudly showed us that he was changing the design of the bottles too, which were months in the making. 

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The elevated new design was made with everything in mind, from the length being easy to fit into a bartender’s hand during a busy shift « you want big when you’re pouring », to standing out as the ideal gift in a liquor store. What’s more, the ridges of the bottle are shaped like leaves of a palm frond, while the wave at the base of the bottle symbolises the Caribbean sea. 

« Our aged rum is from Panama, Jamaica, and USVI. There are three distinct palm fronds on the label as a little Easter egg from those various locations, » Eric shared. And what will happen to the old design when it’s discontinued? « It will be a collectable. » 

The second bottle, a 92 proof aged rum, was just as nice – with notes of dark chocolate and gingerbread. « Most [standard rums] are 80 proof. This is 92. It’s a little stronger, more pop, a little more burn because you’re up in alcohol, but it brings out the flavor. I hate when I order a drink and think, ‘Did they put anything in this’, » Eric said. 

It’s obvious just how passionate Eric is about his brand, and his goal is to elevate rum into the same circles as gin and tequila are now in too. « If you look at the rum category, it’s dark. It’s dingy… bats, pirates. Every bottle is a ‘heritage’ brand. We really wanted to lean into elevating the category to where the market is, » he said. 

Eric’s co-stars at ABC couldn’t be more supportive either. In fact, Palm Republic has even made it into the show. « I got it in one of the episodes – the old bottle design – it’s in Bradford’s house, » he shared. What’s more, it’s also now the drink of choice at ABC parties. « They’ve been very supportive, » he shared. « Everybody has it, » Eric said of his co-stars owning a bottle or two of Palm Republic. « I converted a lot of them [to rum], » he added.