Fat Tuesday: Where Does it Come From?

Happy "Fat Tuesday"

 

Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. That's why the enormous party in New Orleans, for example, ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday, with battalions of street sweepers pushing the crowds out of the French Quarter towards home.

What is less known about Mardi Gras is its relation to the Christmas season, through the ordinary-time interlude known in many Catholic cultures as Carnival. (Ordinary time, in the Christian calendar, refers to the normal "ordering" of time outside of the Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter seasons.

Eventually the French in New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras with masked balls and parties, until the Spanish government took over in the mid-1700s and banned the celebrations. The ban continued even after the U.S. government acquired the land but the celebrations resumed in 1827. The official colors of Mardi Gras, with their roots in Catholicism, were chosen 10 years later: purple, a symbol of justice; green, representing faith; and gold, to signify power.

Read more at  http://www.americancatholic.org/features/mardigras/

 

I found it very interesting reading and I hope you take the time to go through the entire article, it sheds a lot of light on the celebration.   I find it very interesting that one of the most raucous party's in the world has its roots in the Catholic Religion.

 

   Any way, have a great Fat Tuesday and celebrate it in your own fun way.  ;o)

 

Many States Could Lose Highway Funds for Lax Drunk Driving Enforcerment

Nineteen states were already subject to the penalty before this year, and 14 more are having funds held in reserve while the Federal Highway Administration finishes its assessment of their laws.

                     Penalized states would have to spend federal funds on anti-drunken

                     driving programs, safety improvements

·   Nineteen states faced penalty before this year

·   Safety advocates say it's too easy for states to shift funding between construction and safety budgets

WASHINGTON – Two-thirds of the states could be restricted in how they spend some of their federal highway funds this year because they haven't complied with mandates to combat drunken driving.

A combined $539 million would have to be spent on anti-drunken-driving programs or highway safety improvements instead of on general road and bridge construction in those states.

That's the penalty for not having sufficient laws to restrict open alcohol containers in vehicles or to crack down on repeat drunken-driving offenders.

Nineteen states were already subject to the penalty before this year, and 14 more are having funds held in reserve while the Federal Highway Administration finishes its assessment of their laws.

States not in compliance with drunken-driving rules

Jack Basso, chief operating officer of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, said it appears that the federal government has tightened its application of the rules.

"Probably they are within their authority," Basso said. "The question is, is it really achieving the spirit of the law?"

Federal officials say they had to review states' drunken-driving laws after Congress updated federal highway programs last year, including making changes to some of the compliance requirements. Some states fell short because the federal requirements had changed, while others had reworked their own laws without notifying the federal government as required.

Read More at  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/01/drunk-driving-states-federal-funds/1883819/

    This is an important issue, because the use of alcoholic beverages is one thing that I enjoy, but being responsible in their use is something that I am passionate about.    I feel like the Florida Keys with all of the bars and venues to enjoy a cocktail, wine or beer does a very good job of keeping the drunk drivers  off of the street.   There are two ways for this to work, law enforcement and drives to promote the personal responsibility of  individuals and friends of individuals that tend to drink to much, then slide behind the wheel.   The individual responsibility method is always the best, but if you don't heed the warnings, you could easily loose more that the binge was worth.   Please Drink Responsibly, and help your friends do so also.  I hate to see my friends faces on the Sheriffs blog page for DUI or even worse, on the Obituary page.   ;o)

Winter has Arrived in Key West

     The return of the flocks of Pelicans is one of the real indicators that winter has arrived down here in Key West.   These migratory birds are a sure way for us to know it has gotten cold up north.
These birds grace our docks until spring when they start the return to the more northern homes.

Papa's Pilar Rum

   Inspired by the life and ways of Ernest Hemingway, "Papa's Pilar Rum" is a bold and adventuresome rum.  This solera aged and blended rum brings together the rums of the Caribbean, Florida and Central America to give you a unique flavor of rum unlike any other.   Like the label says "Never a Spectator", you need to experience the rum first hand.   The rum is first aged in French Oak, then Port Wine Casks, followed by American Oak Bourbon Barrels and finally in Spanish Wine Casks.  This unique solera aging and blending brings together the robust and unique flavors of the rum.   It is an adventure in your mouth.  

     The Rum is available in two styles, Pilar Dark and Pilar Blonde.  The Dark Pilar Has a very complex aromas of vanilla, honey, spices, and wine.  It has buttery sweet and earthy flavors that coat the entire mouth with notes of spice, bourbon, and fruitiness.   The Finish is  long lasting and warm with lingering honey vanilla tastes.  The Pilar Blonde is more subtle on the nose, but you pickup a bit of wood and fruitiness.  The taste has a more subtle flavors as you would expect, but still notes of fruit and vanilla.   Like the Dark Pilar, the finish is long lasting, but more subtle as well.   Blonde is  bottled at 84 and Dark is bottled at 86 proof, giving them the bit of roughness associated with a overproof seagoing rum.

    Like Pilar the rum is ready for adventure and the adventurous mixologist.  The Blonde Pilar is a very nice sipping rum that will be suited well to premium cocktails as is the Dark Pilar.   The name is well suited to the flavors of the rums and is a welcome addition to my personal collection.  

    The bottle is shaped like a World War II canteen, fitting to the man and the rum, soon to be available in stores and at better bars.  These are had selected rums that are blended in the original spirit of rum.  You need to experience the fine qualities of both of Papa Hemingway's rums for the high seas.   ;o)

   

Mangroves: The Ecosystem

     Down in the Florida Keys the most prevalent of the mangroves are the Red Mangrove.  These are the ones that have their own exposed roots that stabilize and anchor the plant.   In addition to helping stabilize the plant, they collect soil around the roots that eventually form a small key to be born.  The new mangroves begin to grow primarily at the waters edge and as the sands and other soils collect around the root system the land begins to expand into the water. 

     Mangroves cannot take a freeze, that will kill them faster than anything, so down here in the tropical keys, the mangroves grow rather large.  The uninhabited keys north of the lower keys are prime growing area for the mangroves.   On these tiny islets, the can grow to some rather large heights.   For the most part the mangroves are untouched by people out here in waters outside of the larger keys, this is allowing them to virtually be the entire island.   There are many of the tiny keys that are made up of only mangrove, and the sandy material the the storms have washed into the roots.

    You will see many young mangroves popping up just off of the shore, and these are the ones as they grow that will enlarge the mangrove key that the previous plants have built.   The mangroves also drop roots down from the branches as they grow larger.  This is to stabilize the plant as it gets bigger.   As you paddle or drift through the channels in these mangrove keys you will see this all taking place.

     The mangroves are perfect for bird life in the area as well.  The Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Ospreys and Eagles call these mangroves home.  They are well protected from predators that raid the nests like Raccoons by nesting out in the mangroves.     The ecosystem also includes to the water under the plants as well, many species of fish make their home in the waters under the mangroves.  They utilize the shade and bask in the relative coolness of the waters.   The birds that live around the mangroves are primarily fish eating birds, so the heavy fish population in the vicinity is a real bonus for the birds as well.

     There are a few other types of mangrove found in this area like the White Mangrove.   This species can be noted by a more yellowish green leaf and the distinctive white flowers.   The mangroves are protected in the area and can only be trimmed or removes by permit and for a very good reason.

   Even as the older mangroves die out, they leave a beautiful monument to their passing.  The sea and sun bleached trunks stand out as you pass by these magnificent islands of plants.  ;o)

Hurricane Rum from Nantucket

    Triple Eight Distillery of Nantucket is producing an interesting rum called "Hurricane Rum", named for the storms that sometimes terrorize this little island off of Cape Cod.  Nantucket not really being thought of as a distillery location, but as part of a complex containing a winery, brewery and distillery it fits right in.  Triple Eight Distillery got its licence to produce high proof liquors in 2000.    Dean Long, the owner of the operation has turned the art of distilling into a destination, a place that makes wine, beer and liquor and a place for great food, for live music, great drinks, and a dog friendly environment for fun.   The complex fits in perfectly with the colonial port town appearance of Nantucket and is a place to really kick back and enjoy the fine liquors (Whiskey, Bourbon, Gin, Vodka and Rum) that this little artisan distillery produces.

     Hurricane Rum was first released in the summer of 2003 at the height of hurricane season on the island.    Named for the storms that cause so much trouble for the people from Key West all the way along the Atlantic coast to Nantucket.   Hurricane Rum is an overproof rum (88.8 Proof) to match the strength of the storms that it was named for.   Aged in bourbon casks to impart the sweetness followed by notes of vanilla and other spices, this rum does however have a prickly tepid finish.  Quite mellow for an overproof, it is only marginally sipable, but it does have strong lingering flavor.

    On the rocks it is better, but when mixed with Barritt's Ginger Beer, it makes a fine cocktail.  The Hurricane rum blends very well with the snap of the ginger to mask the roughness of it's finish for those sensitive to that.   I feel like this is going to be a fun addition to the Rum Lab for many of the stronger Tiki style cocktails calling for overproof rum.

Rum Giving Back

    I'm remembering a trip to Panama two years ago and visiting the Distillery of Varela Hermanos.   One of the things that is still in my mind about the trip was how many local people were employed by the distillery.   There is a real connection between the Varela Hermanos company and the people of the town of Pese.    

    The sugar cane being harvested by hand without burning the fields first, keeping the pollution down and providing a quality of life that is much better for the locals.     The residents of Pese almost all work for the distillery.  Doing jobs that range from cutting the cane by hand, carting cane to the crusher, processing the cane at the crusher, to management and marketing.    This is part of why the residents and the distillery have such a special bond.   The distillery is a very green operation as well, from not burning the cane fields to using the cane stalks to fire the stills and bringing the cane to the mill by ox drawn carts, the company leaves a very small footprint on the country side.  


     The Varela Hermanos company also supports many of the arts in addition supports the Special Olympics in Panama.   Plus a program of planting a tree for each person that crosses the finish line of their individual event.    Their tech centers and arts centers all are aimed at the education of the young people.

    This is not the only rum producer to put back into the community, you will find programs like these at many of the distilleries around the world.  I'm proud of Varela Hermanos for their programs and all of the others that participate in the communities around their plants.   ;o)

Key West - Havana Prohibition Connection

    During the Prohibition Era, the well known connection was the smuggling of illicit liquor from Havana to Key West.   The other side of the connection was a bit less known about and legal.   Aeromarine Airway was running regular trips with their Model 75 flying boats to Havana carrying wealthy passengers to party and enjoy their liquor where there were no laws against its use.

     For those with the means to fly and vacation in Havana, this was the best of all worlds for the drinkers of the era.  The lavish cabarets of Havana in the 20's known for shows, gambling and most important the liquor.   Fine Hotels all had the bars, cabarets, casinos and fine accommodations that the well to do required and didn't mind paying for.

     This was a lucrative business taking the party minded people to and from Cuba.  There were no laws being broken by going to Havana to party and the best of the best was out in the open.    Unlike the speakeasies in the big cites in America where you ran the risk of being arrested if caught in one of the raids on the joints.   It was luxurious and open to the public.    Hemingway and Josie Russell were known to have visited Havana on their many fishing trips during prohibition, visiting many clubs in Havana.   There were many other celebrities that visited during this period as well.  Many of the upper class New York barmen were known to have moved to Cuba at the start of the "noble experiment" in order to make a living.

     Bacardi  redirected his promotional resources in a program with Pan American Airways later after the collapse of Aeromarine Airways to encourage "Prohibition parched Americans" to visit Cuba and soak up the sun and the rum in Havana.   With slogans like "Leave the Dry Lands Behind" or "Fly with us to Havana and you can bathe in Bacardi rum in just two hours from now", they would lure the tourists in.   All in all it worked very well, because they double the visits to Cuba from 45,000 to 90,000 visitor a year.  

    During this era, Havana became the number one tourist destination in the Caribbean, and remained on top until 1959 and the Castro take-over.    This was a sad demise for a city that had so much going for it.   In my visit last year I saw some of the remnants of the old night clubs and bars that made Havana so famous during the era.  Most of them have fallen into disrepair, some like Sloppy Joe's are being restored.   Said to be reopening this month in it's original location at the corner of Zulueta and Animas Streets in Old Havana, I'm looking forward to being able to belly up to this bar that I saw being reconstructed last September in the near future.   Sloppy Joe's will be the only true Prohibition Era bar left operating in Old Havana.

     This was a glorious era for Havana, one that led later to the American Mob taking over running the Gambling and prostitution, an era that ended with the Revolution in 1959.   ;o)

The Pretty Blue Fish

     Very Tired this morning, stayed out to late last night watching a very exciting Super Bowl.  Though the results came out backwards for my Forty Niners, it was a great and exciting football game and a game that is a credit to two fine teams.

    As I sauntered down the docks this morning I spotted a very colorful blue fish.  This is a different color than I had spotted before, and had to take the picture to share with you.   Every time that I spot something new in these waters, I realize why I love living on the water.   I love having my own private "aquarium" to look into every morning.

     Hope you can find your happy spot to put the smiles on your face as you leave home for work today.   ;o)

Bring Your Bottles Home With You!

If you carry beer bottles and other stuff out on the water, bring them back home and dispose of them properly, our oceans are not you trash cans.

 

 

Something Warm for a Cold February Evening

   Today is Groundhog Day 2013, If The little critter would stick his head out hedre in Key West today he would definitely see his shadow and we would be in for a long winter ahead, but he is in Pennsylvania, and I don't have a clue what the weather there is like today.  I just know one thing about that, it is a lot colder than I want to be.    This is a great legend and one that has been carried on for a long while, I'm hoping for a shorter winter rather than a longer one.
  

     I'm thinking that a new hot cocktail would be in order for the Groundhog Day.   I'm thinking a mug of coffee, and some fun rum stuff would be appropriate.  Try this idea, I think it will fill the bill.


Bahama Bob's Groundhog Coffee

• 1 1/2 oz. Rum Chata
• 1/2 oz. Amaretto
• Mug of Hot Black Coffee
• Fresh Ground Nutmeg

Place the Rum Chata and the Amaretto in the coffee mug, top up with fresh hot coffee, stir and grate the nutmeg on top.  

Perch yourself in front of the fireplace if appropriate or on the aft deck of the boat and enjoy the warmth of this wonderful little cocktail.   Mmmmmmm.  ;o)

Rum and Barbados

     I got to thinking last week as I spent the week with the Regatta people here in Key West that is sponsored by Mount Gay Rum how much that Barbados has to do with the world of Rum.   Beside the fact that there are four distilleries on the 21 x 14 mile island, but nowhere is the rum culture more pronounced.     From your first step on to the island, you will see one or more of the hundreds or thousands of Rum Shops that cover the island.  These are the real everyday watering holes of the island.    This is a place you walk in order a bottle of rum, a mixer, a glass and a bowl of ice that you take to a chair or something you can sit on and enjoy your cocktail.  You will find yourself with the rest of the locals playing dominos or cards, fellow tourists looking around in disbelief and everyone else of who know what origin.

     The countryside is covered with old sugar mills and remnants of the once dominant sugar industry that made the island so important to the British in the 1700's.   There is a large sugar mill museum as well as several old cane crushing windmills left on the island.  One of the more complete sugar plantations is the St. Nicolas Abbey.  There they still grow the sugar cane, crush it, and make rum on the plantation.   Larry Warren and his family have brought this majestic old sugar plantation back from the brink of collapse to a wonderful snipit of life in the colonial days in Barbados.  Did I mention the rum they make there is absolutely wonderful and a bottle that needs to be added to your collection.

     While on the island, you would be remiss not to take the time to travel around the island and see all of the beautiful scenery.   I hired a cab for a day and went to a couple of distilleries and many rum shops.  The trip around the island to see the destinations was as enjoyable as anything we say on our arrival.   Keep in mind that the Rums of Barbados are wonderful, from the inexpensive rums to the finest anywhere.   My friend Richard Seale, Foursquare Distillery, is one of the islands most accomplished rum producer.  He believes that good rum can be made inexpensively and his Old Brigand and Special Barbados Rums are great examples.  If you taste calls for a more high end rum May I suggest Doorly's XO.  

     A visit to Barbados is a visit to the birthplace of rum as we know it today.  Don't miss an opportunity to see the island and sip the many fine rums that the island has to offer.  ;o)


   

Prohibition Key West

The Florence Club

Key West presented an ideal situation for the lure of rum running in the late 1920's.  There were few legitimate jobs and fewer industries that were operating successfully during the era.  The operation of a speakeasy was one of the few profitable businesses during the era.     One such out of work man was Raul Vasquez, he set out to be a supplier of the needs of residents and tourists alike in a wide open Key West.   Raul had a small boat with a pretty good motor and had been on the sea off of the coast of Key West many times before.

     Raul, who came to Key West with his parents when a child, learned the trade of "cigar selector" and worked at it for a number of years at the Gato factory.   With the closing of the factory his need to provide for his family in a seriously depressed Key West led him to Rumrunning and turning his house into a speakeasy.    His first trip that he anticipated  a day and a night to accomplish took him a couple of weeks and provided him with several of perilous moments.   The house still exists at 1117 Duval Street and is still a bar that is part of a bed and breakfast. 
   There were a lot of people that were involved in the illicit movement and sales of liquor during the prohibition era.   The sales, supply, and distribution of liquor was the only really profitable business on the island during the era.    There were "outlaws that would hijack the loads of rum that was being smuggled in as well.  One such group known as the "Pelicans" were one of the most active during the era.   This group would watch at night as the runners would stash their cargo and come in behind them and steal their load.  
  
      Joe Russell was another of the enterprising individuals who operated illegal speakeasies. Even Ernest Hemingway, who made Key West his home at the time, slipped over to Russell’s on occasion to buy illicit bottles of Scotch, and the two struck up an enduring friendship.   Joe and Hemingway would take numerous trips together on his boat the "Anita" to Havana for fishing and to party in Havana.   Who knows what they brought back with them besides the fish?  

     There were not only men involved in the trade of rum running in and around Key West.  There were many women involved as well.   One of the most notorious of the women was Marie Waite, "Spanish Marie", She became the heir to the business when her husband Charlie Waite was found on the shores of Key Biscayne in 1926.    Her business was based in Havana where she ruthlessly ran a small rum running empire.     She had the fastest contact boats of the era and delivered rum from Key West to Palm Beach.     A really formidable opponent, she would use any means at her disposal to oppose those who would tamper with her rumrunning.  Her empire came crashing down when she and her crew were arrested on March 12, 1928 off loading liquor from her boat "Kid Boots" in Coconut Grove.  She made bail and then disappeared and was never seen again.

    These were tough times in Key West and the the rest of the country.  The noble experiment that nearly brought the country to its knees, made "outlaws" out of everyday people, some of whom became very famous.   Key West still to this day shows many of the signs of that era and it's colorful history.  ;o)


    

Just Another Wednesday

    After two days off, Wednesday morning seems to find me in a dilemma about what to write about.    Today is one of those days, I'm getting ready to go down to the Rum Bar and get it opened up for business and trying to get my mind working on a subject for today's blog.  I had two days of rest, a much needed change from the hustle bustle of last week.   As of now
this is going to be a "normal" week ahead.    It is the unpredictability of the days that make it so much fun for me these days.   I don't know who or what is going to appear to make the day so unique.

     I saw some King Fishers as I walked down the dock this morning.   The are around here this time of year and their noisy chatter is always welcome to me as I pass by them.     For the most part they seem to stay clear of people, but I seem to be able to get closer and closer these days before they fly off.    I walk to the office each morning just before sun up, a beautiful time of the day when there are many types of birds just beginning to move around and the fish are also just starting to feed.   This is a peaceful time that makes me feel really good and at ease with the world.

     I hope that your day starts like mine has and that you can enjoy the start to your work week in a similar way.   It really make going to work easier when you can start the day in such a tranquil setting.    I guess that it just reaffirms the reasons for living down here in the Keys.   Make this week a fun one and take the time to enjoy your surroundings, wherever they are, It makes your outlook on things a whole lot nicer and more fun.   ;o)

January's Cocktail Idea

    This is an idea I had as a result of working with some absinthe on some other cocktails that seems to work well.    I've found that absinthe is a great ingredient in many cocktails, but a very little bit goes a very long way.   In most cases you can just swish it around the glass and pour it out as you follow it with the other ingredients.   In this case, you can actually mix it into the blend.   The combination of a rum with strong whiskey notes and the absinthe work very well with the dry vermouth and the bitters.  This is an unusual balance I liked and I hope you do also.




Bahama Bob's Happy Daze

• 1 oz. Flor de Caya 12 Year Old Rum
• 1/2 oz. Absinthe
• 1 oz. Italian Dry Vermouth
• 1 Dash of Bitters

Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.  Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange zest floated on top.


Enjoy to first cocktail of 2013 just for the blog readers.

Brain-Duster

 

Pink Pigeon Rum

    Pink Pigeon Rum is a real jewel of a premium rum that comes to us from the "Jewel of the Indian Ocean", Mauritius, located just off of the East Coast of Africa and Madagascar.   Pink Pigeon Rum is made at the Medine Distillery, a part of The Medine Sugar Estate located on the West Coast of Mauritius. The Estate produces 400,000 plus tons of cane to the mill where it primarily produces sugar for domestic use rather than export.  Pink Pigeon Rum launched in 2010 by Medine Distillery's partnership with British spirits merchants Berry Brothers and Rudd.

     Medine Distillery has been producing Mauritian rums since 1926, making it the oldest working distillery on the Island. Pink Pigeon Rum is produced from molasses made from sugar cane grown in the Medine Sugar Estate.  The distillery uses 4 column continuous stills to produce a light and smooth rum. After distillation, the rum is infused with handpicked and hand-pollinated Bourbon vanilla from orchids that grow in the rain forest canopy of Madagascar and the rich volcanic soil of the Reunion Islands.  Bourbon vanilla gives to the rum its rich and creamy texture with notes of tropical fruits and sweet spices. For extra balance and complexity, orange peel and orchid petals are added.   

     There are strong notes of the vanilla on the nose and other scents that remind me of fresh baked sugar cookies.  Orange peel adds freshness and zing while orchid petals release delightful honey notes.     On the palate, the same vanilla is joined by a tropical fruity taste.  There is a very light initial taste of the alcohol that quickly dissipates to the slightly sweet extremely long lasting finish.

     I'm currently working with this rum to try to develop some ultra premium cocktails that will work well with the flavors of the rum and allow the rum to stay in the forefront of the cocktail.  

     This rum will be in the Rum Bar in Key West next weekend for you to sample.  ;o)

The Week Sails to Conclusion

The Regatta Week is now over here in Key West.  It has been a great week of incredible sailing and street events.   Hope others enjoyed the rum and sails as much as I did.    ;o)

Duval Uncorked Crawl in Key West Today

 

       Duval Street will be electric as the Key West Food and Wine Festival hosts "Duval UNCORKED" tantalizing revelers with a mile long wine tasting, food sampling and shopping extravaganza.   This Key West Food and Wine Festival party promises to be the event that can’t
be missed.

     The chic boutiques, funky shops and fine galleries will flow with a large selection of wines from famous wine regions while the neighborhood’s best restaurants and bars will be serving samplings of their signature dishes and cocktails.   Toasting, tasting and shopping will be infused with the gusto of Key West’s personalities, performance artists and other sexy and sophisticated spectacles. 

     Tickets are available at the Southernmost Beach Cafe at the foot of Duval street and at the corner of Duval and Caroline Streets.    This ticket includes tastes of food or wine in over 40 locations as you stroll down Duval Street. 

     While you are working your way down Duval Street, the Rum Bar is one of the stops, we will be serving a special Pusser's Painkiller for your pleasure today.  These are a decadent mixture of Pusser's Rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and orange juice topped with fresh ground nutmeg.    This is an unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss while you are sauntering down Duval Street.   I'll be behind the bar today to serve you your painkiller and a wide selection of cocktails that may suite your palate.   ;o)

Mount Gay Day at the Rum Bar Today

    Mount Gay Rum is the featured rum today at the Rum Bar in Key West.    There are 4 special Mount Gay XO Rum cocktails that will be featured for $5.00 each from 7:30 until 9:30 pm today.   Stop by and see us and sample these fine cocktails that were created in the Rum Lab specifically for the event.   Be sure to bring your Mount Gay Passport when you come by.

XOld Fashion

·         1 ½ oz. Mount Gay XO

·         1 oz. Luxardo

·         ¾ oz. Agave Nectar

·         2 Mari chino Cherries

·         1 Dash of Bitters

·         1 Orange Zest

Muddle agave nectar, cherries, and bitters, add liquor and shake until chilled and serve in a rocks glass garnish with orange zest.

 Barbados Swizzle

·         1 ½ oz. Mount Gay XO

·         1 ½ oz. lemon Juice

·         1 Dash of Bitters

·         ½ oz. Cane Syrup

·         Top with Club Soda

Place all ingredients in a Collins glass with ice shake until chilled garnish with an orange wheel.

Mount Gay Elder

·         3oz. Mount Gay XO

·         ½ oz. St. Germain

·         Dash of Bitters

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled, strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon zest.

XO Daiquiri 

·         2 oz. Mount Gay XO

·         ½ oz. Cointreau

·         ½ oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

·         ½ oz. Lemon Juice

·         2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Pour all ingredients into a blender with 1 cup of Ice blend until smooth.  Pour into a Martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Make the effort to stop by and enjoy one of our fine cocktails and the fun vibe of the Rum Bar this evening.  ;o)

Wednesday at Sea: Regatta Time in Key West

     Yesterday was one of those fabulous days at sea down here in the tropics.   The winds were blowing around 20 or so and the sun kept coming in and out of the clouds making it warm enough to be comfortable without getting burned.   The crew of the America 2 did a wonderful job of keeping us close to the action all day long, making the action exciting to watch.

     We set sail about 10:00 am and headed out to the race course along with all of the boats in the competition.  This was a very colorful trip out watching the crews readying their boats as they worked their way out to the course area.

    Marta and I were enjoying a glass of Mount Gay XO with a couple of cubes on the way out, the perfect was to start the day on the water.  Mount Gay XO is one of the flagships rums, and has earned its stripes as a fine sipping rum.   By the way, a heart felt thank you to Karlene Palmer - Mcleod, the regional brand manager at Mount Gay for the invitation and the kind treatment as their guest aboard the America 2.

    The races were divided into to two divisions, The very large boats and the smaller boats.  The larger boats were on the westerly course and the smaller on the easterly course.   Both classes provided some very exciting action throughout the days races.   In the big boat classes, the 72 foot boats really put on a great dual as the came down wind with full spinnakers flying.   The dropping of the spinnakers to make the turn up wind is always an exciting time in the event and critical to winning the race.   The boats really put on a show today with the good winds.  They had all the power to go fast and make the action even more exciting.

     Over in the division 2 area, there are a lot more boats and the action is a lot closer.  There is a lot of moving around trying to keep the sails filled with clean air in order to keep the speed up.     This close in racing and pushing the limits sometimes ends up in a blow over that can really slow you down approaching the gates.  This makes for quite the traffic jam as well.

    Headed back to through the channel to the marina you could see the big 72 foot yachts making their final turn to down wind and their spinnakers filling with the wind as they accelerate away from the turn buoy.   This was a really wonderful day filled with good food, great racing and some really enjoyable Mount Gay XO Rum.   I don't know how it could be any better.  ;o)

      

Sailing Day on America 2

   Today it is off to the Historic Sea Port here in Key West to board the America 2 for a day of sailing fun on the ocean with the people from Mount Gay Rum and Quantum Key West 2013 sailing regatta.   This is going to be an exciting day of sailboat races and fun cruising with the people of Mount Gay Rums as our hosts.   I'll have complete pictures and the rest of the story tomorrow.   See ya then.  ;o)