After 5 days in Panama that were incredible, it is good to be home again. Got home with three bottles of Ron Abuelo Centuria Reserva de la Familia in hand and went straight to the Rum Bar to share the find with Anne, the owner. We tasted, imagine that an compared it to the other fine Abuelo rums, and concluded that it is the best rum that we have in the bar. We feel privileged to be able to score this find, as there are only 2 bars in the United States that currently have it, and the other is the Martin Cate's Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco, California. It was a great evening back home at the rum bar and back to work behind the bar today.
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| Panama City's new Trump Tower |
Just one little final note on Panama, it is a wonderful place to visit, the people are friendly and the nightlife is out standing. They have Calle Uruguay, which is like our Duval Street in Key West, that boasts some really exciting restaurants and night clubs. A command of Spanish is really helpful, for there are few that speak English, making communication sometimes difficult. The infrastructure is expanding rapidly in Panama City and the Old City is being renovated at a very fast pace. This is a city that is going to be huge and beautiful in the next couple of years when the work is completed.
On the coasts there is a huge resort that looks more like a city rather than a resort, The Bristol Buenaventura is a place well worth that will absolutely take your breath away and pamper you as they cater to your every need. The restaurants serve fine gourmet prepared food that lingers on the palate as you enjoy your meal. The pool bars and the more formal bars are well stocked with fine spirits and knowledgeable and friendly bartenders to make you visit a memorable one. The facility is awe inspiring visually and functionally. There is a new Jack Nicklaus 18 hole, par 72 golf course is being built and opening soon. There are residential opportunities at the resort designed for the retirees of the baby boomer era about to be spread through out the world very soon.
All in all this was a very busy and restful rumstylin week that Panama provided for all of us from Rum XP. It is my true belief that none of us will soon forget the courtesies bestowed upon us by the wonderful people at Varela Hermanos, especially Ricardo March, VP for Sales and Marketing and Daniel Fabrega, Exportation Director. We were very impressed with the people, the operation, the loyalty and pride and the products they as a group produce and make available to us. ;o)
