The Rumstyler Returns

     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.



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)     

Returning from a Rumstylin' Adventure

     I do have to say that this has been a non-stop cover the gammit kind of trip.    Panama has too much to comprehend in such a short period of time,it is sort of like trying to do all the bars in Key West in one day, it just isn't going to happen.     I discovered a new cocktail last night that is very popular here in Panama.     It is called  "Lord Panama" and it is a wonderful blend of lightly sweetened tea and Ron Abuelo Anejo Rum with a squeeze of lime.    Very light and refreshing.     Between the Seco and the Abuelo rums a rumstyler can really get lost in the many ways to enjoy these spirits.    

     Headed for the plane soon so I'm going to check out from Panama and  the adventure will resume from Key West on Saturday.    I again want to say thanks to our hosts at Varela Hermanos for their kindness and hospitality during this fabulous week here in Panama.  ;o)

Rumstylin is coming to an end here in Panama

     It's our last day here in Panama and we can't leave without visiting the canal and seeing a ship or two go through the locks.     This is an amazing work of engineering and construction.     Between the seriouly heavy duty work of excavating, construction, and the enviornment, the Panama Ccanal killed way too many people during the construction.  

     Since the canal was turned over to the people of Panama iDecember 31, 1999 ti has been providing jobs and revenue for the region.    It takes a ship approximately 8 hours to pass from the Atlantic to the Pacific at a cost of approximately $200,000 each direction for every large ship.     The locks raise the ships up to the level of the lake and then lowers it back to the level of the ocean as it completes the journey across the ismas of Panama.

     After leaving the Canal Zone, we headed back to Panama City and visited the Old Town, Casco Viejo, to see the old architecture and the narrow streets.      Many of the buildings are in a state of disrepair now, but between the government and private investors the Casco Viejo is coming back to life.     The old city is coming back to life with a plethera of shops, squares and beautiful scenery that is unmistakeable of the early spanish influence.     One of the old buildings that is still in use is the French Embassy.     Located in the heart of Casco Viejo, this beautifully maintaind complex is a great facility to see.      As you look over the walls to the sea, you'll see surfers and a sea with waves that keep breaking fo such a long distance that you feel that the break will never end.     As you wander through the square, you'll find statues and a straw market fom which you can purchase curios of all type from the local venders.

     From Casco Viejo we went to the Valera Hermanos Bottling plant and the corporate offices in Panama City.     There we were treated to a tasting of some of the products that we hadn't seen before in the United States.   In addition we tasted some of the components that make up these fine aged rums.     After a discussion with the Master Blender, we learned of the components and the aging process that gives Abuelo it's fine taste, color, and clarity.     We were told of the history of the Abuelo line and how the Abuelo Anejo was first introduced in 1970, the Abuelo 7 year in December of 2005,and the Abuelo 12 year in December of 2008.     We were able to taste each of these fine aged rums along with rums from their early days.    

     The height of this whole trip is being a part of the introduction and the coming to America of the Abuelo Centuria Reserva de la Familia.    This is a pure solera process aged rum that has components that range in age from 7 to 30 years.     Everything about this fine rum from the special wooden box that houses the special bottle to the rum itself is a work of art.    This rum is the culmination of more than 100 years of rum making in Panama by Varelo Hermanos.     This is  by far the best effort to date.     When the only 200 cases of this fabulous rum comes to America you don't want to miss out on owning a bottle even at its $125 price tag,because  it is a real rumstylin' bargain.

     I would at this time like to say a special thanks to all of the people at Valera Hermanos for the warm and gracious hospitality given us throughout this week here in Panama.    I look foward to returning to Key West and introduce you to some new coctails and beverages from this very special operation.     ;o)

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



Ron Abuelo Centuria Reserva de la Familia



Ron Abuelo Centuria

      As the name would indicate, this is a rum made to celebrate the 100 years of rum making at Varela Hermanos.      100 years ago Don Jose Varela Blanco, with courage and extra ordinary values opened a sugar mill in Pese Panama: Ingenio San Isidro.  It is in the honor of a 100 years of sticking to his values and dreams that Varela Hermanos embarked on the making their finest rums ever.     Luis Jose Valera, the "hands on" second in command at Valera Hermanos chose a blend of the finest rums from the oldest aged rum reserves, some of which are 30 years old, and created the "Reserva de la Familia".     Following the traditional "solera" aging system allows Valera Hermanos to preserve the character and flavor of these fine rums throughout the years.     This new rum "Ron Abuelo Centuria" is not only a celebration of 100 years in the rum business, but a celebration of their commitment to quality and the passion for making the best aged rums.     Nothing was spared in making this limited quantity aged rum.




Jaun Carlos Varela

       After being blessed with the opportunity to taste the Centuria during the past couple of days I can't help to believe that the passion has come through in the product.     This fine solera boasts a rich aroma and a dark color that draws you in immediately.     The tase on the palate is rich and sweet with subtle woody overtones.   The finish is dry and lasts for a long time leaving you with a state of enjoyment rarely reached.

     The tour of the Bodega where the solera is rested and maintained through out the process was especially rewarding when we were able to partake of a "barrel sample" from one of the fine resting rums in the uncut (135 proof) condition.     This was a warm and rich flavor that had a very light burn (for such an overproof sample) with a flavor that lasted for a very long time.    In fact it lasted close to 5 minutes as all of us shared the sample.     These results are here because of the attention to detail throughout the process from the hand cut sugar cane, to the passion from the employees and ownership to produce a unmistakeable fine aged rum.



The Barrel Sample



     Ron Abuelo Centuria will be available in very limited quantities in the United States very soon at a price point of about $125.     Don't miss the opportunity to have this fine aged celebration of the dreams and passion of Varela Hermanos in your collection.    ;o)



Ageing Bodegas



Replacing the "Angel's Share"



Rumstylin' at Varela Hermanos with Abuelo

     Today the adventure started at 8 o'clock when the van picked us up at the hotel and took us to the airport to meet the helicopter.     After an hour or so flight, we were touching down at the Varela Hermanos distillery and sugar plantation.     The flight was a special treat for me because I haven't been to Panama before.     Being able to view the land, the beaches and the ocean was spectacular.     As we approached the distillery, we circled the plantation and could see the thousands of acres of sugar cane and the hubub of activity going on in the fields.     This is harvest time in the sugar cane world in Panama.     Varela Hermanos still cuts the sugar cane by hand and hauls it back to the cane crusher with carts that are pulled by oxen.    You want to talk about a green operation, all the work is done by machetes, man and oxen.

     Once the cane reaches the processoing plant, the cane is unloaded from the carts and placed in a hopper that carries it up to the crusher which extracts all of the juice from the cane and sends it directly to the fermenting tanks.     This is the beginning of the process which will produce the "Seco" a rum like product that is very popular here in Panama.    The dregs of the crushing if you will are baled and dried to become the fuel that fires the burners that heat the stills and boil the sugar cane juice.     

     Once the fermentation is complete, the product is run down to the huge column stills and the alcohol is extracted and purified.   Varela Hermanos only uses column stills in the production of both the Seco and the rums produced at the plant.     There is no molassas produced here at the plant, but cane juice and cut cane is shipped about an hour down the road to the suger processing plant that makes sugar and sends back molasses to the plant for fermentation and distillation into the rum products.    

Today's adventure was an interesting trip because it was good to see a company that is interested in taking care of the local people and providing jobs rather than modernizing and leaving the people of the town of Pese without work or a means to survive.     This tradition of caring for the towns people is a great thing, and the work is appreciated by the towns folk that work the fields, plant and the grounds of the plantation.     Tomorrow I'll get into the rum portion of theoperation and talk about the process and the new Ron Abuelo Centenuria rum.     ;o)

I'm in Panama, Rumstylin with the Abuelo Represenatives

     Today has been spent traveling to Panama from Key West.     I had an uneventful drive to Miami, boarded the flight and arrived safe and sound.     This is going to be one of those adventures that keeps getting better and better.       We are staying at the Decapolis Hotel here in Panama City, Panama tonight.     The Helicopter will pick the group up at 9:00 am tomorrow morning and fly us to the distillery in Pese.    

     Tonight we will be dinner guests of Ricardo March, Vice President for Sales and Marketing and learn of a new rum, a solera if you will that Abuelo will soon be marketing.     I'll keep everyone informed of what we are doing here on a daily or maybe even twice daily if time permits.     ;o)

Headin' to Panama

     I'm going out on the road tomorrow with some of my rum ambassador friends to Panama for the next 5 days.     I'll be putting out daily reports and stories of the fun and new rum stuff that I'm introduced to.     This is a place I've never been to so I'm really excited about being able to go.      We'll be flying to Panama City, Panama tomorrow and then to the Abuelo Distillery on Tuesday.    It is planed to spend 3 days at the distillery and return to Panama City on Thursday evening.     This is one of the fine rum distilleries in the world and an honor to be able to tour  such a facility.     I'll be sending you pictures and stories each day, but because of the travel, I'll not be putting anything up tomorrow.     Talk to you soon from Panama.     ;o)

John Prine in Key West

     The Florida Keys showed up in force last night as John Prine  took us through the past and present with his unique thought provoking music.     I remember John from my days in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60's and 70's.    His songs of the Vietnam era, "Six O'clock News" or "Spanish Pipe Dream" songs and the fun of "Illegal Dreams" or "Your Flag Decal", set John Prine apart from the rest entertainers of the time.     John's style keeps you smiling, crying, and laughing again in the flip of a coin.    He has so many gut wrenching songs that tear at you heart, "Sam Stone" and "Hello in There".    His style has carried him through 5 decades in the music world and after last nights concert, I know that he hasn't lost a thing.     His look at everyday life and getting through life and making it to the top "Inspite of Ourselves".   

     John Prine's concert is a great value in these days of soaring concert ticket prices and big productions that loose the personal touch of seeing your favorite celebrities in person.     The Glynn Archer Center is one of those venues that offers the personal touch and the feeling that he is singing just to you.     This was the perfect location for John's freewheelin' music and entertainment.     I especially enjoyed when John turned off the big amps and sang with just his acoustic guitar and the mike like the coffee shop days of the 60's.    

     Just want to say thanks for the memories and the pleasure of traveling through you view on the world, how the your words keep returning to the surface with meaning are as true today as they were back 40 years ago.     I also say if you get a chance to go to one of his concerts, don't miss it, if you don't know about his special style of music that includes "Rumstylin'" in "Lets Talk Dirty in Hawaiian" you need to invest in a ticket and setback and let him entertain you.     ;o)

Rumstylin' at Large.

     Today is one of those days that makes me smile when I get out of bed.     Been to the gym already and now I'm sitting at the computer thinking about how really great things are right now.     Tonight is a real treat for me I'm attending a John Prine concert here in Key West.     John is a songwriter, composer that has been around since the 60's and shares a unique vision of  life and the world that few people ever think about.     I had just moved here 2 days after his last Key West concert and was disappointed that I had missed it.     Tonight that is all forgotten as I will be in attendance.    You will have a full report tomorrow.

          Yesterday at the Rum Bar was another of those experiences that puts a smile on my face, I spent some time talking with a couple that had just returned from Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.     It is always a pleasure to share the experiences and the tales from other peoples perspective.     Listening to the fun stories of party and exploration from White Bay made me want to head out right then for another adventure in the Islands.     So many thins that have yet been done both here in Key West and  all over the Caribbean.     I guess that is why I really fee blessed in that I get to live in paradise and meet very colorful and interesting people every day as part of this great big party that I call a job.     

     I guess I almost forgot that I am leaving the "rock" on Monday for 5 days in Panama to visit and widen my knowledge of the Ron Abuelo line of fine rums.     This will be my first visit to Panama and I am really excited about seeing a new country and new distilleries.     I won't have a blog on Monday as I will be en route to Panama, but I will be sending reports and pictures as each day progresses.      I will be traveling with a group of rum ambassadors of which I am a member, it is our job to keep on top of the latest changes in rum production and marketing and spread the word about the rums, their taste and what new products are coming out.    

     Seeing that today is only Friday and I have "so little" to do today that I better start preparing for a day at the Rum Bar and how many new and exciting people that I'll get to have "too much fun" with.     I'd like to thank all of you who have been following all my wanderings for the past month or so and looking forward to  babbling on about the exciting world of rumstylin'.     If you have any pix and stories you want to relay to me that I can pass along to others, please send me a note on facebook ( click on the badge to the right) .     ;o)

Rumstylin with Flor De Cana

     Flor de Cana is specially crafted in Nicaragua by some of the finest rum crafters anywhere.     Flor de Cana was first created at the Ignenio San Antonio Sugar Mill, a plantation that Companio Licorera de Nicaragua planned to develop.    They built their first distillery at Chichigalpa in 1890, but it wasn't until 1937 that Flor de Cana was first introduced.    In 1959 was the first time that it was exported, but only to Venezuela, Costa Rica, and other Central American  countries .     In the mid 60's it plantation in Chichigalpa was modernized and a second distillery established in Honduras.     Flor de Cana is recognized today as one of the best of the Central American rums.     This fine line of rums has received more that 100 awards since 2000.          The distinctive label that is present on all of the bottles was inspired by the palm trees in either side of the railroad that leads to the Santonio Sugar Mill.     The Volcano in the center is the San Cristobal, Nicaragua's tallest.

     There is a very full line of rums that are now available here in the United States today.     There is a 4 year old Extra Dry, a 4 year old Gold, a 7 year old Gran Reserva, a 12 year old  Centenario, and an 18 year old Centenario Gold.     The 18 year old Centenario Gold is a warm, full bodied  sipping rum that offers a palate taste of chocolate, carmel, nuts and spices.     The finish is one of length leaving smokey oak, and sugars.     Serving it on the rocks opens up something of a sweeter taste on the palate.    

     Compania Licorera de Nicaragua produces more that 4 million cases of rum per year and boasts the largest stock of aged rums in the Caribbean.  

     The 4 year Old Extra Dry and Gold are fine mixing rums that will put character and depth to your Mojito, Rum Punch or a Cuba Libra.     You'll find these rums a valued addition to any Rumstyler's collection.   ;o) 

Mojito's on my Mind

     The Mojito originated in Cuba, but the exact origin of this classic cocktail is still something of a mystery.     One theory traces the drink back to a 16th century drink that honored Sir Francis Drake, "El Draque".     Other Historians claim that African Slaves that worked in the Cuban sugar cane fields were the force behind this marvelous cocktail.     "Guarapo", the sugar cane juice was often used in Mojito's was a popular drink among the slaves who helped coin the nave of the sweet nectar.     The name is a derivitive of Mojo, a Cuban spice made from lime and used in many dishes.    Other theories contend that the name comes from "mojadito", meaning "a little wet".   Hemingway's favorite drink while in Cuba was the Mojito made at La Bodeguita Del Medio bar , where he wrote on the wall, "My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita", this is still on the wall of La Badeguita in his handwriting today.

    This mixture of lime juice, sugar cane syrup and mint  has a sweet taste of sugar cane and lime and the freshness of the mint.     With just the right amount of light rum, this drink is the most refreshing cocktail you will find anywhere.     Though the mojito recipes are far flung and varied, I feel the best mojitos are the ones that stick to the Cuban origins.   Too many bartenders try to turn this fabulous cocktail into something that it wasn't suppose to be by dumping in flavored syrups and ruining the delicateness of the original cocktail.     The use of different rums through the history of the mojito is a source of interest to me, because the rum is a vital part of the mojito's flavor.     I've found that some of the gold, herbal, and dark aged rums add a hint of dimension that the white rum lacks.     When you find a bar that can make you a good mojito, then you need to stay with them.    There are too many variations that are made from mixes and flavors to cover their  inability to properly make this marvelous cocktail.       Get out and do some Mojito searching, it is so worth while when you find a good one. 

Rumstylin in Key West at the Speakeasy Inn

     Key West during the prohibition era was a bastion for illicit importation of liquor.     These smugglers known as moonshiners,racketeers, rum runners, or keepers of "dives" and "blind pigs" were an important part of the Key West economy of the era.   These felonious characters  were a part of the everyday color that made Key West the crazy city it is today.     One of the more interesting marauders of the time was Raul Vasquez.     Born in Tampa on August 21, 1890, he came to Key West as a child and learned the trade of "cigar selector" and worked at the Gato Cigar Factory.     At the age of 21 he married Concepcion Magrinat Pellon from the Canary Islands.     Together they had a daughter Mary Onella born on March 1, 1920, known today as Mrs. Ernest Betancourt, who til her retirement taught music at the Convent of Mary Immaculate.

     Raul set out to establish his importing business, with the support of the Cuban underground of the era.     He was a friend of Fulgencio Batista , who lead the revolution in 1933.     Raul purchased this home in 1920 and setup his speakeasy in the back .     The club know as the "Florence Club" , was a successful and popular club named for many of his patrons with wives named Florence.     Not able to advertise in a normal manor and unlike some of the other owners who would use a simple sign that read "club in the rear" Raul came up with a unique way to promote his speakeasy.     Like today it is not a large place, it had eight chairs and one large bench ( the bench was out on Duval Street as a convenience to the people waiting for the electric street cars of the era.)    On one trip from Cuba, Raul brought back his elaborately carved balustrade made in Sagua la Grande, Cuba.   These poinent that advertisements adorn the porch even today at 1117 Duval Street  Speakeasy Inn..

     Raul was away much of the time, but the Florence Club had an honor system, he had a large white marble slate that the patrons would write what they drank and at some later time Raul would settle up with them.     Raul swore that nobody ever stole from him during those days.     Raul had many rubs with the law, but they all seemed to be something like a story from Andy Griffin and Mayberry.     He is fabled to have his own key to the jail so he could return from his "work release" program at night without having to wake up the jailer.

     Today those days are recalled in the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn, where you can take a "Rum Run" on a replica of a "black boat" (rum flight if you will) from the era, or just  relax with one of the 200 plus rums on the front porch and watch the traffic of tourists and trolleys going by.     By the way if you hadn't guessed by now, this is the bar that I'm employed.     You can find me on Wednesday through Sundays behind the bar from 11am til 6pm telling tales and sharing good rumstylin times with my new and old friends.     ;o)

Rumstylin' the Super Bowl

     Last night I jumped into my dinghy and headed over to the Hurricane Hole, my watering hole here in Key West, to find a group of people intensely glue to the TV sets.     Not of the football persuasion myself, i found it very curious how serious people are about the Super Bowl.      I found it funny how the 2 factions can be excited and upset and switch back and forth so quickly.     I sat back with a couple of people who like myself were neutral as to who we wanted to win and proceeded to watch the game and the people that were surrounding us.   

     The Packers seemed to be making the game kind of one sided at the start, but the Steelers  were able to make it interesting before the end of the second quarter.     This kept the crowd at the bar and helped the liquor sales tremendously.     It was fun to listen to the taunting back and forth as the game went on and enjoying my rum at the same time.     Fans dressed it their teams hats, beads, jerseys,  and other garb were everywhere and all had the full intensity in their clothing that was on the TV screens.



Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas (Getty Image)

      From a non-fan's point of view I found the game was only kept as close as it was by the large number of errors that were made on the field.     I really didn't expect to see a fumble and interception fest that I did.     Yea, that's just my observation and really has little interest to the purest fans.     Anyway, I really enjoyed my evening of people watching and sipping my rum as the entertainment went on for hours.    Yes I did enjoy all the commercials, as usual they were a real hoot.     The production starring the Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas during the half time show was one of the best that I have ever seen during the Super Bowl for many years.   

     All in all a really great show between the fans and the Super Bowl and thanks to my bartender for keeping me in rum and food for the evening.      ;o)

Rumstylin' in Key West at Sloppy Joe's

     Sloppy Joe's has a colorful history here in Key West.     It was started back in the prohibition days by Joe Russell at 428 Greene Street ( Present location of Captain Tony's).     Joe was one of several enterprising  people that operated an illegal speakeasy during the era in Key West.     Joe became a legitimate saloon keeper on December 5, 1933 the day prohibition was repealed.     His saloon was called the Blind Pig, located in a shawdy rundown building he rented for 3 dollars a week.       After a dance floor was added the rough and tumble saloon was renamed "The Silver Slipper".      The name change wasn't any help as the saloon remained a rowdy place for friends to gamble and drink 15 cent whiskey and 10 cent gin shots.       This place was always wet with melted ice, and many of the patrons would taunt Spanish Joe about running a "sloppy" place.    It was Hemingway, Joe's good friend that encouraged him to rename the place "Sloppy Joe's after the Jose Garcia Rio Havana club.     

     Sloppy Joe's moved to the vacant Victoria Restaurant building on May 5, 1937 over the famous $1 a week rent raise that Joe refused to pay.   You really couldn't blame him, if my landlord raised my rent 25%,I'd probably move out also.      Following in true Key West tradition without closing the bar the move was accomplished with patrons simply carrying their drinks up the street to the present location at the corner of Duval and Greene Streets.     The new saloon boasted the longest bar in Key West at the time, and a walled off room for gambling.     In the Gambling room were paintings of prize fighters and a 119 pound sailfish caught by Hemingway.     After the official opening of the bar, Hemmingway and many of his friends ("Mob") were regular visitors to the bar.     Such notable locals as John Dos Pasos, Waldo Pierce, J.B. Sullivan, Hamilton Adams, Captain Eddie Saunders and Henry Strater were among the regulars.    Little did these people know they were building the place as a legend at the time.

     Joe Russel passed away in 1941 of a heart attack (53 years old) after he was immortalized in Hemingway's  "To Have and Have Not.    Hemingway called him "Jose Grunts"  the owner of Freddy's Bar and captain of the Queen Conch.    Hemingway and Joe were companions for 12 years, and as captain for Hemingway, they caught an amazing 54 marlin in 115 days.    Joe Russell was a charter boat captain, rumrunner, and saloon owner in some of the most colorful days of Key West.

     Today the venerable old saloon is still at it's Duval and Greene Street location and flourishes with the lively party goers and revelers of the 21st century in the tradition of Hemingway and his mob.      The bar is open 365 days a year boasting hospitable bartenders and servers that keep the customers come in at all hours of the day and night.      Sloppy Joe's remembers who had a lot to do with the fame by honoring "Papa" Hemingway with the "Hemingway Days Festival" each year   and the Hemingway Look-a-Like contest.

     This is a must visit should you come to Key West.     The entertainment, food, and beverage is always part of the magic that keeps Sloppy Joe's around year after year.     ;o)                                     

Rumstylers on a Late-Night Adventure.

    Last night was a typical Key West evening, have a few rum cocktails at "The Hurricane Hole" when the phone rang.     It was a friend who's transmission had just failed as he approached Boca Chica Channel from the Atlantic side.      Being the good friends that we  are, the three of us boarded my dinghy and headed off on another adventure.     Understand that there was no moon last night and the channel was black as can be.     As we were about to exit Cow Key Channel  a mangrove caught my eye and I killed power, and hit reverse, slowing the dinghy to an abrupt stop.    Nothing damaged, but it did get our attention .     Undaunted we get underway again and into the Atlantic we go.    Not a quarter of a mile later the motor comes to an abrupt stop, so we look to the Stern and we see a trap ball floating by the motor shaft.     We raise the motor, unwrap the trap line and we are underway again.     We finally get to our friends sail boat and try to push is craft , but the fast moving tidal current keeps wanting to spin the boat around in circles.     We wisely decided to throw an anchor and call for a tow-boat to bring him in.    

     While waiting for the tow-boat to arrive, we are noticed by some of the local live-aboard neighbors and we let them know that all is well and the tow-boat is on the way.     Finally we see the lights of the tow-boat coming down the channel and we hook up with the tow-boat and we are underway again.    Well do you remember the tidal current I mentioned earlier?     It caught the sail boat again and hooked it on a sand bar.     The tow boat wasn't able to move the boat alone, so we put the bow of the dinghy against the bow of the sailboat and started to push.     After a few minutes of this combination of the tow-boat and the dinghy pushing and tugging the sailboat started to move.     We followed the boats into the harbour and assisted in getting the sailboat into it's slip and the adventure was almost over, almost. 

     Did I tell you we had to go back out into the Atlantic and get back to the Hurricane Hole to revitalize the buzz that was lost in this adventure?     The trip back to the Hurricane hole was really unexciting, which was how it needed to be, we had enough of an adventure for one evening.    Back at the Hurricane Hole the evening was still underway and all the friends kept the merriment going til it was time to retreat to my boat for a much needed night's sleep.      By the way, we all help each other here in the keys under any conditions, that is what friends do.    The buzz was revitalized and all's well that ends well rumstyled.     ;o)

Looking at Atlantico

     Atlantico is one of the solera on the market today.       This Dominican rum is made from estate grown sugar cane and blended with  molasses base rums by a master blender from Havana Club in Cuba.       Individual heavy and light rums and Aguardiente are aged separately for 3 or more years.   They are then blended placed in private casks and rested for 2 more years at which time they are placed into the solera aging system for an average of 15 years.     This entire process is done by hand, like many fine wines are.     This starts with the harvesting, aging, blending, and goes all the way through to the bottling.

     This rum is the winner of the Golden Barrel  award in London last year.     The deep amber color in the glass, leads to a soft and complex nose of toffee, caramel and vanilla.     The palate experience follows the nose with a soft and very pleasing  flavors and finishes with hints of maple at the end of the long and warm finish.

     This is a very popular rum as a sipping rum for those looking for something as a change up from Ron Zacapa 23 Solera or Santa Teresa 1796 Solera.     The rum also mixes very well in daiquiri's, mojitos, or highballs.     This well balanced and versatile solera rum is a welcome addition to your rum section.    ;o)
    

Rumstylin in Historic Key West

     Old Town Key West is one of the fun capitals of the world.     This tow has the largest number of bars per square mile in the world, so the stories go anyway.      If you happen to get the chance to stop in and have a little fun with us down here in the southern most city in the United States, you will not regret it unless you try to hard.     This city boasted such legends as Hemingway, Silverstein, and Truman, yes President Truman had his "Little White House" here in old town.     You can bask in the sun and party in the bars and even attempt the fabled "Duval Crawl", a favorite of the cruise ship guests.      All you have to do is have a drink at each of the bars on the west side of Duval Street starting at the Gulf and when you get to the Atlantic turn around and start working your way back to the Gulf.     Most are crawling back to their ships without hitting many of the bars on the return. 

     We are approaching the birthday of the late Captain Tony Tarracino.     Captain Tony is one of Key West's true legends, from his days as a fisherman to Bar owner, to even Mayor of Key West.     The location at 428 Greene Street has a checkered past as an Ice house in 1890's, a cigar factory in 1912, the Blind Pig, a speakeasy specializing in women, gambling and "Hoover's Gold" (bootleg rum) during prohibition.

       Joe "Josie" Russell bought the location in 1930, and in 1933 he opened "Sloppy Joe's"  as the first licensed saloon in Florida.     In 1938 in a dispute over a $4.00 rent increase Josie moved his bar to it's present location on Duval Street.

       428 Greene Street reopened as the Duval Club, a Victorian decorated predominately gay night club owned by an openly gay man named Morgan Bird.    The Duval Club was know for lavish gay parties and prospered until the Navy issued an "Off Limits" order that reduced his business some 80%. 

     Captain Tony  made his appearance in Key West in 1948 an in 1958 Tony opened Captain Tony's in its present location.    This little saloon soon became the hangout for many locals including many celebrities like Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, who was known to charge the men's room swinging a purse which go him beaten by the sailors quite often, Presidents, Harry S. Truman and John Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Frost.     Jimmy Buffett as legend would have it play there for $5.00, tips, and a 6-pack of beer.     Jimmy as we all know went on to some notable fame and dedicated a song and an album to Tony and his bar.

     Captain Tony's has a tree that is still alive and growing through the roof of the saloon that 17 pirates were hung by vigilantes in the 1800's.     With his famous slogan, "All you need in this life is a tremendous sex drive and a great ego, brains don't mean shit",  he became mayor of Key West by 62 votes and kept his promise to keep Key West like it was "Key West is an insane asylum.   We're just too lazy to put up walls and fences.    I just want to maintain that mystique."

     This fabled saloon still exists today with all it's frolic and frivolity, this is a place you just don't want to miss.

Back to Barbados for some Doorly's XO

     One of the real jewel of the Barbados rum world is R.L.Seale's Foursquare Distillery in St. Phillips.     Richard Seale has one of the most modern and innovative distilleries anywhere.      From the low temperature technology to the 100% control of the product from fermentation till it is shipped out in bottles for the consumer's enjoyment.     The distillery was closed in 1984 as a result of troubles in the sugar industry and  for modernization.     Richard reopened the distillery again in 1999.

     One of my favorites from Foursquare Distillery is Doorly's XO.    Richard Seale bought the Martin Doorly founded 1920's  brand in 1992 from founder Martin Doorly's family.     This is a reddish brown somewhat viscous rum that has a very complex flavor of scotch, sherry, cognac, fruit and nuts all blended is a seamlessly smooth rum.     This rum is aged from 8 to 10 years and spends a portion of it's time in Oak Bourbon barrels and then finished in Spanish Orolosso Sherry  Barrels.     Like many of the fine rums in my rumstyling library, this rum has a full sweet taste to the palate, but finishes with a long, dry warmth.      The Dorly's 5 Year Rum is the younger sister and is one of the most popular on Barbados.     This rum is an excellent cocktail rum that adds sophistication to your high grade cocktails.

     Keep your eyes open as you travel around for this Doorly's XO and 5 Year Old Rum as well as the many other rums produced by R.L.Seale's Foursquare Distillery.     If you get the opportunity to visit Barbados you would be remiss if you don't stop by and visit the Heritage park and take the tour.     ;o)