Tropically Depressed: They are Trying to Drown Us

     There is a huge low that has been trying to drown us here for the past couple of days and promises to hang out with us for a few more. These are rare here in the keys and I hate it when rain just hangs over the island for days on end like this.   Alan Jackson's song about being in in a "Tropical Depression" fits weather like this here in paradise.    The black clouds that are hanging over us are filled with rain and it just keeps dropping huge amounts of rain on us.   Then it stops for a few minutes giving us false hopes of clearing up and then dumps on us again.    

     The rain isn't the real problem, it's the grey sky and the lack of sunshine to a fun loving bunch of inhabitants that live for the sunshine.  Unable to get out on the water or play at the beach, but rather are stuck indoors.    Our world is one of bicycles, boats, and motor scooters that don't do well in the rain.   Wet streets with deep puddles that cars drive through and drench you even more than you already were don't help the mood either.   This is phone killing time for us, it isn't the phone falling into the sea that kills our phones it is being soaked by the rain water getting into your pockets and drowning the phones where they live.

     The really good news is that this is only for a few days and will be gone again and it will be back to sunshine and the warmth of the surrounding waters that keep us smiling and washes the depression away.   I hat  e all of this self pity that I get when the least little bit of bad weather comes around brings over me, but that is why I live down here in paradise where this is not suppose to be happening.    Poor me!!!   No really it is funny how when you are use to the rain just breezing in and out of here in an hour or so, when it stays it does kill your mood and leaves you feeling blue until it goes away, and we are back out the beaches basking in the sunshine again.   ;o) 

White Rum vs Spiced Rum: Who will be Number 1

   There seems to be a trend toward spiced rum going on right now according to Diageo's Russell Jones Captain Morgan global brand manager, who said the consumer is trending away from white rums and moving towards spiced ones.
Jones says that the US is a major market for Captain Morgan , as is being used as a testing ground for some of the new innovative products.    In April, Diageo launched "Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum in the United States, where  Jones says"what happens in the US tends to set the trend".     There are 16 spiced rums that have been added to the market in the past three years here in the United States.   This is going to force the hand of all of the older traditional spiced rums to improve their game or be out of the game.

     One of the new additions to the game was Oakheart from Bacardi, this is one of the better spiced rums to be placed on the market by a mass producer is many years.    The blend of good rum and a spice package that doesn't over power the rum has made it a quick riser and the sales are doing well.  This is also an indication of what the market is doing also.  For a giant like Bacardi to spend a lot of time developing a quality spiced rum really shows that there is an emerging market for the spiced rums.

     It the real world of the rum sales battle, the white rum is still the number one seller and Bacardi is the number one seller of white rum.    In 2011 , worldwide  Bacardi sold nearly 20 million cases of white rum last year compared to Captain Morgan's Spiced sold  nearly 10 million cases.    Russell Jones believes that the "more holistic trend is that the market is going away from white rums to spiced rums".    This is something that we will follow and see if what he feels comes to fruition.    No matter which way it goes, the sales of rum is growing every year, and it is on the back of companies like Diageo and Bacardi that it is growing on.   ;o)

Bootleg Rum Raises it Ugly Head in Jamaica Again

     A story in the Jamaica Gleaner reveals that bootleg rum carrying  J. Wray & Nephew White  Overproof labels was making it's way into several bars, stores, wholesalers, as well as other places throughout Kingston.     The Sunday Gleaner has found the bootleg rum widely available especially in bars and shops during it's investigation over the past three months.     This has been a problem before in Jamaica, and has come to the surface again.   There are several parts for concern over this latest outbreak.   Health concerns over  this rum that is being distilled in less than sanitary conditions, the financial impact of the bootlegging.

     From a sanitation standpoint, the bottles are used bottles that have not been properly sanitized and being resealed with glue.  The stills themselves are not inspected as well as the rest of the facilities to see if they meet the required standards.    All of these things can be a source of problems for anyone that is using these bootleg versions of the rum.    There have been some reports of diarrhoea and other symptoms reported from the drinking of the bootleg rum, but the full effects from the ingestion of these rums is unclear at the is time.      

     The financial losses not only effect the J. Wray & Nephew Company, but the taxes are not being collected on these bottles costing the Jamaican Government millions each year.   It is conservatively estimated the bootleg rum sales at $100 million annually, and the legitimate industry leaders are feeling the they are becoming more organized and sophisticated in their methods and distribution.

      Most of the current confiscated bottles are bearing the J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Label, and the company says that most of the customers who are purchasing this bootleg rum won't be able to tell the difference.   This is because even some of the new security additions to the label are found on the counterfeit ones.    The trail back to the people that are making the rum is very unclear, there have been several arrests of store owners that are selling the bootleg rum but getting back to the source has been sketchy.     Major Hugh Blake , corporate risk manager of Lascelles Group who makes Wray & Nephew says the counterfeit trade has been dented in recent years leading to nearly 90% of the rum on the market being rum from legitimate producers.  

     I guess it is not that different from the bootleggers in the South here in the United States during the 40's and 50's, it is hard to find the stills and even harder to catch the delivery people.    I think that the real concern for the Jamaican Government is one of revenue loss and some small health concern.   It needs to be nipped off, before the organizations become too deeply rooted and they become nearly impossible to get rid of.   ;o)   

    

The Sky Puts on the Show

All the colors and shadow of the clouds at sunset just leave me in aah of mother natures artistic skills as she paints with light.

Pango after the Rum Lab

     Since doing the Rum Lab with Barbancourt's Pango Rum, I have been working with this wonderful mango and pineapple flavored rum.    We are making a cocktail based on the painkiller using the Pango that is absolutely fabulous, and a few other ideas have worked out very well.   I am finding that the more I work with this blend, the more places I find that I can use it.    The versatility of the flavors blend well with so many other tropical flavors making it perfect for most any tiki or tropical cocktail.





Pango Punch

• 1 1/2 oz. Barbancourt Pango
• 1 oz. Plantation Barbados Grande Reserve
• 3/4 oz. Taylor's Falernum
• 1/2 oz. Pomegranate Liqueur
• 1/2 oz. White Grapefruit Juice
• Splash of Sprite

Place all ingredients except the Sprite in a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.  Strain into a pint glass filled with ice and top up with the Sprite.  Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel.   This can also be floated with a nice overproof rum like Plantation Trinidad Overproof or Lemon Hart 151.   

This is just one idea that really worked for me, you can experiment and come up with so many really flavorful cocktail using Barbancourt's Pango in your back yard Tiki of in the kitchen if the summer hasn't reached you yet.   ;o)

Fish Hawk Key: Revisited

    Fish Hawk Key is one of the magical little mangrove keys off of Key West that keeps drawing me back again and again.    It is the combination of the beauty of the Key, the sky, and the water as they come together around this little spot just northeast of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico.

     This little key is absolutely loaded with life though, in the air on the "land" and under the water.   The bird live is plentiful and varied, from Cormorants and Gulls to Ospreys and Herons, there are just hundreds of birds that in habit this little spot of land and mangroves.     The bird life also changes with the seasons like the leaves in the Appellation Mountains.     There are Pelicans and other migratory birds that show up here in the winter and the "locals" that remain here all year round like the Cormorants and the Herons.

     When you look down into the water, this is another complete world to explore as well.    Like the sky's, the inhabitants of the key change with the seasons as well.    Summer is getting started and the water is starting to warm up and the appearance of the sharks will begin very soon in this area.   Right now you can see Southern Stingrays, Barracuda, an a hole host of Mangrove Snapper in the shallows among the mangrove keys in this area.   I love to turn the motor off and raise it up allowing the dinghy to drift with the current.   This allows me to see many things in the water, plus some time to enjoy and photograph them.

     No matter when you visit the small shallow water mangrove keys in the gulf just north of Key West, you sill find a pilferer of life, large and small that will call you to return again and again to enjoy the new show being performed for you with all the encores that your time will allow you to sit for.    If you can get your hands on a shallow draft boat, take the time to visit these marvelous little keys it will be well worth your time.   ;o)

Wray & Nephew offers a 50 Year Old Jamaican Independence Reserve Rum

     This is an idea that started when 24 oak barrels of Appleton Rum began aging in 1962 under the watchful eye of then master blender Owen Tuller.     The "angel's share reduced the finished product to only 14 barrels remaining for bottling.      This is the first part of a two part project that also includes the continuing of the aging process of part of the rum to an age of 100 years for the Jamaican Independence Centennial.

    Joy Spence the current master blender for Appleton describes the rum as having a "dark mahogany color with rich coppery reflections".   There is a powerful oak aroma infused with vanilla, cinnamon, maple, and orange peel.  The flavor is  smooth with a honey oak  finish.

     Appleton is looking to gross some $4 million from this part of the project.  There will only be 800 bottles available world wide and they will be retailing at approximately $5,000 per bottle.   This is described as the oldest rum in the world by Wray & Nephew's managing director Paul Henriques.    This is one very special event in Jamaica and a very special rum is proper and fitting to celebrate the 50 Years of Independence for Jamaica.   This is a project that took a lot of advanced planing and very special execution by very talented people to have it happen in such a spectacular way.  

     Congratulations to Jamaica for 50 years of Independence and to Appleton for such forethought and bring to fruition the huge undertaking.   ;o)

Pride Parade: Zany Key West is at it Again

     Key West is known for many many things and last weekend was the culmination of Pridefest, the gathering of the gay community for some fun and frolic.   The culmination of the event is the parade on Sunday, and this year it was just as crazy as it is every year.    The guys and gals all if full regalia for  the event brought out a good crowd to witness the parade as it proceeded down Duval Street.  

     The carrying of the rainbow flag to the motorcycles, floats and the local politicians were all present to make this years event another fun parade.   I guess it is the fine people of Key West and their acceptance of all who reside here that makes me so happy about living here.    It takes me back to my younger years and puts a smile on my face.   ;o)

     

    

Key West Bacchanalia was a Fun Time for All Attending

     The 2012 Key West Bacchanalia was a success and a really fun time for those attending last weekend.   I enjoyed my visits to the events on Friday and Saturday.     The Ron Zacapa and the Rums of Puerto Rico were of particular interest to me, being the rum guy that I am, but the cooking and mixology events were interesting also.

     Eric Morles Snyder, Rum Ambassador from Rums of Puerto Rico and his crew did a wonderful job of showcasing their line of fine rums.   Both the events on Friday evening at the Hurricane Hole and at Rick's on Saturday evening were a lot of fun and I enjoyed sampling some of the fine rums and cocktails.

      Robert Pallone, Florida Rum Ambassador for Ron Zacapa and his lovely assistants were on had to make sure we enjoyed the fine rums of Ron Zacapa as well.   I particularly enjoyed the Ron Zacapa XO that was offered on Friday night.   This is one of the fine rums of Guatemala, and always a popular rum among rum aficionados.  

     There was a good crowd around for all of the events and it would be my guess that a nice sum was raised to benefit  the Darrell Gwynn Foundation to be able to carry on their fine work with the paralyzed.   This was a great event that supported an even greater cause and I look forward to next years event as well.   ;o)

Good Sunday Morning Everyone

Mornings just don't bet any better than they do here in Key West.   Happiness to everyone this morning.

Bacchanalia Goes to the Hurricane Hole

    Key West Bacchanalia took over the Hurricane Hole for the Celebrity Cook-Off Friday evening.    The crowd was a good one to support The Darrell Gwynn Foundation who's mission is to provide SUPPORT for people with paralysis and PREVENT spinal cord injuries.     You can see all that Darrell Gwynn and his foundation have accomplished at http://www.darrellgwynn.com/biography.htm or join them at http://darrellgwynnfoundation.org/blog/ .   I have to say that it was a pleasure to spend a few minutes talking with Darrell last night, talking about the pas5t and the present with a man that is so determined and strong in a very special way.     Key West Bacchanalia is a drive to benefit the Darrel Gwynn Foundation and half of the ticket sales will be donated so Darrell's fine work can continue. 

Darrell Gwynn Foundation Founded in 2002 by champion NHRA drag racer Darrell Gwynn and his wife Lisa, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation works to provided awareness, prevention, support and ultimately a cure for paralysis. Since its founding, DGF has donated over $1M in wheelchairs. On average, the Foundation donates two to three high-tech, customized, wheelchairs every month. On the right is wheelchair recipient, 15 year old Erasmo Portilla with his old chair (right) and new chair (left) which will enable him to live with more independence and as well as properly support his posture, significantly decreasing his back pain and risk of further spine dama

      The food and rum were a big part of the night last night, with the Cook-off and the presents of Robert Pallone, Florida Rum Ambassador from Ron Zacapa and  Eric Morales Snyder Rum Ambassador for the Rums of Puerto Rico.   It was an exciting evening of visiting with some old friends and meeting some new ones.  

     The events continue today with the Grand Tasting at Rick's beginning at 3:00 pm and running until 7:00pm.    I'm going to try to stop by between 6 and 7 tonight and will hopefully see you there as well.   ;o)

  

Looking at the Little Things

     As I roam and wander through the little keys, I find myself looking at the macro instead of the micro, but sometimes it is fun to look a little closer and you will be amazed what you see.   I find myself like so many others looking for the grand and spectacular and missing an entire small world right around me.    Even in the rum world if you spend all of your time with the mega names in rums, you miss some of the wonderful little artisan brands that can provide you with some very special experiences that you won't find any where else.

     As I scanned around with my camera I found a very beautifully colored wasp, something if you don't look closely at you would just swat or try to get away from.   This is one of the more colorful insects I have seen out there.

     There are some interesting little flowers and plants that seem only to appear when you look at a place through a microscope instead of a telescope.    Sometimes I like to pick a 20 foot by 20 foot area and look to see all of the things I can see there that I hadn't noticed before.   This is a lot of fun and can be amazing to see what all you can find.   Many of the little things are camouflaged and have their own way of hiding from your sight, but if you look closely you see more than you can believe could possibly be there.

      The weather was overcast last Tuesday when I went out into the mangroves to search for some new and interesting things to photograph and watch, but found that there was very little happening, until looked down and started to notice the little things that can be just as interesting as the large things that are very easy to spot.   Some time you should try looking a little closer, you'll be amazed what you can see it you look small.  ;o)

Key West Bacchanalia Starts Today

     Today is the start of four days of partying in Key West.   Bacchanalia is one of the fun and crazy festivals held annually here in Key West.   Events start today with "Spanish Sherry, Wines from Argentina and Bites from Brazil at Braza Lena on Caroline Street.   You can get the full schedule on line at http://www.keywestbacchanalia.com/site/schedule.php .

     This year the event features parties, tastings, cook-offs, seminars, celebrities, top chefs. and a whole lot of fun as well.  The Grand Tasting Village at Rick's will feature unlimited rums, spirits, burgers, wine, and beer.   The grand tasting will run from 3pm til 7pm.   


Tickets are available on line at  http://www.keywestbacchanalia.myevent.com/3/online_payment.htm
This is always a great and fun event here in Key West, so some on down and have some fun at the Third annual Key West Bacchanalia.   ;o)

Rum War with Cuba Warming Up

     Will the hostilities between the US and Cuba ever go away?    We have had more confrontations with this country 90 miles to my south and still nothing seems to ever get solved.     Today we have a bitter dispute over the cane spirit and the trademark "Havana Club", the country's flagship rum that is sold in over 120 countries world wide, but not in the United States.   The 50 year-old embargo the US has imposed on goods that are produced in Cuba is the reason for the exclusion of Cuban Havana Club Rum.  

     Cuba stands to lose all chance of a legal claim against Bacardi who distributes a limited quantity of it's version of "Havana Club" in  Florida, with plans to expand into other states soon.   Cuba has owned the trademarking the United States since 1976 after the family that originally owned the brand let the registration elapse.   The renewal for the trademark came up in 2006, and the treasury department  who enforces the embargo refuses the renewal payment.     Cuba has sued the US Government and lost.  The Supreme Court declined to review the ruling on May 14th.   The 30 day countdown for the patent office to cancel the trademark began.   June 13th is the day that Cuba's claim to the "Havana Club" name will expire.   Pernod Ricard the partner that distributes "Havana Club" world wide vows that the battle isn't over.  "We will still fight to keep this trademark alive" according to Olivia Lagache, general counsel for "Havana Club".

     The US is a very lucrative market, having some 40% of the world's rum drinkers, that would most likely jump at the chance to enjoy this mystical rum that has been made into a holy grail of rums because of the fact that it has been banned in the US for 50 years.

    No matter what the outcome of the trademark battle, the real losers in this war are the Americans that enjoy fine rum and are banned by the same government that allows trade with Russia, China, Korea, and Vietnam, countries that gave us a lot more grief that the tiny country of Cuba has ever given us.    I guess that we need to think about why is this such a problem for our government when the people of the United States would really like to travel to Cuba and enjoy their rum.   ;o(

Oh, the Dirge Hangover

The party is fun, but what about tomorrow?

   In any discussion with a person that has had a cocktail or two, there is a mention of the dreaded hangover.    Every party has the potential for a serious set back the next morning.     It is a well known fact that people who do not drink will never know the dirge of the hangover.    For those of us that do drink ourselves into a drunken stupor, the hangover is the predetermined price you pay for over indulgence.    Now that we have gotten ourselves into this fix, what are we going to do about it?   

Stomach rolling like the ocean?

     What is a hangover?   The symptoms are caused by a combination of the toxic by products of alcohol metabolism, dehydration, and Vitamin A, B (Specifically B6), and C depletion as a result of the chemistry of alcohol and the functions of the body.    Symptoms usually include dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and the dreaded headache.    These are the same symptoms of a mild depressant drug overdose.   This is the effect of flushing a large amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from your body and causing a degree of metabolic shock that your body will take the next 8 to 24 hours to recover from.  
    
     There are thing that do and do not work to relieve the symptoms, but the cure lies in replacing the elements that were flushed away by the alcohol you consumed.    Things like a "hair of the dog" really is a myth, because your adding to the problem with more alcohol that will continue the process of flushing essential fluids.   Coffee just makes you a wide awake drunk and does nothing for the hangover, greasy foods is just a "wives tale" and will most likely do more to irritate the stomach and the intestines than cure a hangover.

Feel like you are playing with fire sometimes?

     Then what are the options that really do help?     The only true cure for a hangover is time, but some of the symptoms can be relieved.   Water and drinks that are high in electrolytes help to replace the fluids flushed away by the alcohol.   Aspirin and Ibuprofen can help relieve some of the pain, but under certain circumstances cause problems that will make the nausea worse.    Fruits, fruit juices, poached eggs, bouillon soup and bananas all help to replace vitamins and minerals lost as a result of the metabolizing of the alcohol.

     The bottom line is that if you keep yourself hydrated while you are drinking, as well as after you have stopped drinking for the evening you can soften the symptoms of the hangover substantially.   Remember that you are playing with fire when you fuel  your body with too much alcohol that hasn't been diluted with water and electrolytes.   Keep it together by keeping your body hydrated is the best cure, prevention is a lot easier than trying to cure it later.   ;o)

Monday and Another "Day Off"

    It's a home day today, a day of chores and repairs of boats, scooters, and appliances.   The really good news is that I had a fun night last night singing karaoke at the Hurricane hole with a bunch of good friends.     Outdoor karaoke is fun with the sea breezes and the beautiful Key West night sky.

   I'm hoping to get every thing done in time to relax for a while and recuperate from another busy and fun week at the Rum Bar.   I guess that even on a day of chores I really can't complaining to loudly, but maybe I'm feeling a little sorry for myself having to work on stuff on such a beautiful day.   I guess that if I just get after it,the chores will be done and I can do what I really want to do.

   Mondays for everyone is about the same, a lot of procrastination even when you have a day off you seem to be able to put things off until you just can't get it all done, even play time.   I guess it is time for me to dig in and "gitter dun" so I will have a bit of play time left before dark, or even maybe a little after dark.   ;o)

Sunday Morning Serenity

Serenity is such a wonderful thing to wake up to as you head to the office.

Overproof: Making a Strong Return to the Forefront

   In the past year overproof rums have started to move back to the forefront and are providing a wonderful alternative to some of the tamer 80 proof rums and the gasoline stile overproofs in the recent past.     The "new breed" of overproof rums seem to have some smoothness and flavor to them that has been lacking for some time in the genera.     There has been a need for more aging of these high potency rums that has been ignored for quite some time.    

     Plantation introduced their overproof last year and it took many of us by surprise because you could actually sip this rum with a cube of ice or two.     There are a few others that have been around for a while like Smith and Cross and the Scarlet Ibis that also have shown some quality in flavor and smoothness in an overproof rum.

     This year we gained the wonderful new Panama Red from the master blender Don Pancho Fernandez.  This is another example of a new fine overproof that can be used to bring your "Tiki" cocktails to life.  Panama is famous for quality rum, and this is no exception to the rule.

     Another on that has appeared on the scene in the past month or so is the revival of the legendary Lemon Hart 151 from the Demerera Valley of Guyana.    This is a revival of the rum that made all the "Don the Beachcomber" and "Trader Vic" cocktails the wonderfully strong cocktails that made them famous.

     If you have the desire to trace back into the "Tiki" era, then one of these wonderful overproofs will be an important part of your mixology.    This was a fun era and one that I also enjoy exploring every now and again.   Join me in the fun, who knows, we might even run a rum lab that explores these fabulous rums.  ;o)