A Rumstyler at the Panama Beachside Resort

Resort as seen from the helicopter as we arrived.

     Yesterday was spent relaxing and getting set for today in Panama City and touring the canal.       We stayed at the Buenaventura located in Farallon at Cocle province.     This beautiful seaside resort is located about an hour and 1/2 from Panama City on the Panama's PacificCoast.      We spent 24 hours in luxury as the guests of Buenaventura.   I was allowed to be a "guest bartender" at the pool bar and share my "Painkiller" with the some of the locals and our Rum XP group.    We were able to savor the flavor of several local cocktails made with Abuelo Anejo and Seco.

     Seco is a curious local favorite that was created in 1908 by Valera Hermanos.     Seco was the product that moved Valera Hermanos from a sugar plantaion to a rum producer in 1908.      The Pese Valley is an area that is optimal for producing sugar cane and ideal for the production of this very neutral product.     Seco has many of the qualities of Vodka and a great neutral mixer that doesn't over power the mix.    I enjoyed  seco with cola, cranberry, orange juice, and gingerale.     Looking foward to making a "Seco Mary"  when I return to the Rum Bar on Saturday.    Traditionally Seco Herrarerano is mixrd with grapefruit and pineapple juices, "Chichita Panama" a drink that is still popular after more than 40 years.   On the Atlantic side of the country it is often served in a curious coctail called "Seco con Vaca", Seco with milk and coconut milk.    Panamanians consume this most of the Seco produced, but it is exported to the United States.     



Pool Bar at Buenaventrua



     Today we are going to the Offices of Valera Hermanos in Panama City for another round of rum tasting and discovery there.     The driver will then take us over to the canal where we will be able to see it's workings.    So far this trip has been fast paced, but the amount of information and pictures that I've collected is well worth the "speed of light" travel.      With the tempuratures in the low 90's and humidity tollerable, this is all and all pretty nice break from the "freezing temperatures" of last week, I know you feel sorry for me.     ;o)

Artwork at  Buenaventura

Beach facing the Pacific

        



Lighthouse over Pool Bar