Venezuela Through the Windshield

Barquisimeto

     Like so many of the other countries and islands that I have had the opportunity to drive through, Venezuela is one of the more beautiful ones.   We flew into Caracas and then a quick flight to Barquisimeto in the mountains of Venezuela.  We boarded a van for the rest of the travel time in country.    This is a beautiful country with the mix of the mountains, cities and the coast lines.   

DUSA, La  Miel

     Just out side of Barquisimeto is the Diplomatico Distillery with their grounds that are absolutely beautiful.   Located in Le Miel, a small mountain town just outside of Barquisimeto.


    Then it was off through the mountains for the trip to El Consejo on the other side of the mountains.  This is a very interesting and colorful trip through the densely forested mountains of Venezuela.  There seems to always be a mist or clouds that are hanging along the valleys giving the picture a very eerie look to it.  

     These mountains are so serene and peaceful to see as you transverse the country.  They make the hours from La Miel to El Consejo and the Santa Teresa Distillery just melt away.

     The roads are multi lane freeways all the way, and remind me of traveling through the mountains of Northern California on Interstate 80 or 50.    As the highway winds through the dense forest growth, you just seem to fade off into a state warm of amazement as you take in all of the beauty.

     As we approach El Consejo, we pass a huge lake and then back into the mountains again.  This countryside is just too beautiful to describe.

     Venezuela, like the other countries I visit, offers more when you are on the road to see than just transport from one place to another.  Enjoy the view out the windshield, there is a lot to see out there.  ;o)

Legal Rum in Key West

     It has finally happened, a rum distillery in Key West.  Paul Menta and his partners have jumped through all of the legal hoops and opened a distillery and tasting room for his "Chef Distilled Rum" on the corner of Simonton and Front Streets.   Located in the location that once was Jack's Saloon in 1900, then in 1903 the building became the Coca Cola Bottling Company, today it is producing a high quality white rum and soon aged and flavored rums.

     There is a pair of 200 gallon stills on the property, one to strip the impurities from the wash and the other to extract the alcohol.   The rum is passed through the still 6 times to remove all of the unwanted materials and leave a pure clean and honest rum.  It is then charcoal filtered before being put into sea water washed 5 gallon barrels to begin the aging.   Much of the rum now is unaged and bottled as the clean white "Legal Rum" that is sold through the tasting room and distributed by Opici Wine and Spirits.


     Sitting on the table in the still room, was one of the new rums, a 105 proof version of the white rum.  This is coming out soon, boasting a strong and smooth flavor that offers flavors that only the overproof versions of rums can offer.  It will be called 105 Simonton from the address of the plant and the proof of the rum.  There are a number of flavored varieties being developed and being readied for your palate in the very near future.

    Today you can visit the plant and tasting room and be a part of the process and bottle your own bottle of rum.  This is a unique experience and one that you will not forget. 

     I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the distillery here in Key West yesterday morning, and it is a destination as well as a distillery that needs to be seen on your next stop in Key West.   I will also be featuring the "Legal Rum" at the Rum Bar in the next few weeks.  This is a good rum and worth a taste and a visit to Paul's distillery.  ;o)

The Red Mount Gay Regatta hats are Back in Key West.

     Yesterday I was the guest of Mount Gay Rum on the America 2.0 for a day on the water watching the Quantum Key West Sailboat Races.   It was a perfect day for sailing, good winds and the sunshine on one side of the boat anyway.   We left the Key West Historic Seaport at about 10 am and headed out to the race courses to observe the races.  All of the crew and the Mount Gay people were clad in their Mount Gay racing caps and we were off to a great day of racing out on the water.


     We first went to the smaller boat course and watched the J Boat and Melges 24 classes compete in the first race of the event.   Both classes were very exciting to watch as the boats jockeyed for position entering the turn gates and weather marks on the course.  The J Boat class had 65 starters and the pure congestion of the class made for some very exciting close racing.   They are the largest class of the event, and provide some very exciting moments during the day.

     Then it was off to the big boat course to see the very large and high tech Super Maxi Boats as well as the other large boat classes.  The Super maxi's are boasting spinnakers in excess of 2000 square feet and boats in excess of 50 feet in length.   These are the super complicated boats that have the ability to shape their sails and angle the masts in order to capture all of the wind possible.  This makes these very powerful yachts that are also very fast by sailing standards.


    The other classes are equally as exciting in their large boats as well, but it is hard to take your eyes off of the massive Super Maxi Class Boats.


It was a fun day of exciting race action and a fine lunch and good Mount Gay Black Barrel and Mount Gay XO rums.   The sailing around under the sheets of America 2.0 and her fine crew made for a very fun day on the water.  I always look forward to the Quantum Key West Race Week each year and I recommend that you come out and enjoy the races as well if you are in the Keys this week.  ;o)

  

Rum Idea from the 50's

     I love to look back on the old cocktail recipes from bygone eras and come up with new spins on them.  Today I ran across an old recipe for the "Rob Roy", a Scotch based cocktail that was very popular in that era.   The "Rob Roy Cocktail" was created in 1894 by a bartender at the famous Waldorf - Astoria in New York.    The drink was named in honor of the premiere of the operetta Rob Roy that was based on the Scottish hero Robert Roy MacGregor, a "Scottish Robin Hood" if you will from the 18th century.  

     While similar to the Manhattan, it was based on Scotch instead of Rye or Canadian Whiskey.   There were several versions of the Rob Roy circulating around in the Fifties.   There was a sweet, a Dry, and the "Perfect" Rob Roy recipes.   The difference being the type of Vermouth that was used.

I'm tending toward a dry version that is being made with Plantation Trinidad 2000 Rum.   The notes of Scotch that a apparent in the Plantation rum makes for a great marriage into the cocktail's original recipe.  There is an inherent sweetness to the rum that lends its self to the dryer versions of the original cocktail.

Bahama Bob's  Rum Roy

• 1 1/2 oz. Plantation Trinidad 2000 Rum
• 1  oz. Ultra Dry Vermouth
• 1 Dash Fee Brothers Old Fashion Bitters
• Lemon Zest

Place all ingredients in a shaker and shake until chilled, strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a lemon zest and a cherry.

Give this one a try, I think you will find it very satisfying.   ;o)

Race Week Key West

     The annual Key West Regatta gets underway tomorrow.  They have been out there practicing all week, but the races start tomorrow.  I have the good fortune to have been invited out on the America 2 by the fine people of Mount Gay Rum to see what is happening up close and personal again this year.   I thoroughly enjoyed this trip last year and am so looking forward to it tomorrow.

     "Key West is one of the few regattas on the 52 Super Series in which the amateur owners drive their own boats – a unique element the professional crews enjoy. “We love having Doug driving the boat. He’s the leader of the whole program and brings great energy to the team,” Hutchinson said of DeVos."

     "Quantum Key West 2014 will feature five days of racing in 10 classes on the aqua-colored waters off the coast of the Conch Republic. From the professional-laden 52 Class to the family-oriented programs in the PHRF classes, there is something for everyone."

Read more at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2014/01/19/ready-race-quantum-key-west-2014/#sthash.ZOZrE2LZ.dpuf

      If you have the opportunity to get out and enjoy the races this is a great fun day out on the water and a great chance to wee the spectacular event.  After the event stop by one of your favorite Key West watering holes and enjoy a fine Mount Gay cocktail or just sip a nice glass of Mount Gay XO.

I'm Being Replaced by a Robot!

Source: Daily Mail

By Sarah Griffiths 

A U.S company has created a personal robotic bartender that it claims 'serves the perfect drink' to suit an individual's tastes. 

Monsieur is an artificially intelligent robotic that can learn its user's favourite cocktails as well as how strong they like them - and even anticipate when to include a double shot of alcohol if they have had an especially trying day at work. 

The robot is the brainchild of a company, also called Monsieur, in Atlanta, Georgia, which is trying to raise $100,000 on crowd-funding website Kickstarter to put the product, which is designed for the home, into production. 

The artificially intelligent robot called Monsieur, can create thousands of drinks at the touch of a button and learns how a user likes them - even anticipating when to make a drink with a double shot of alcohol in it after a long day at work. 

To use the machine, which the company envisions being installed in a house, an individual must use the touch screen on the robot to browse the 300-strong cocktail list and choose how strong they could like their drink, from 'lightweight' to 'boss'. 

Over time, the company says its intelligent machine will learn an individual's taste to automatically per-adjust their drinks, as well as making them to order. 

The firm also says that just like a skilled human bartender, its robot can make recommendations based on their preferences and homeowners can pick a theme for their machine from Irish pub to Hawaiian tiki bar. 

Read More at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2449569/Robotic-bartender-learns-users-preferences-mix-cocktails.html

 

 

 

The Morning has Arrived: Still Chilly, but Beautiful

     This morning has arrived, but it is still a bit chilly around here.  The temps in the low sixty's and clear.   It is always so beautiful around here in the early mornings, the sky reflecting off of the water makes for such a great way to open your eyes and face the day.  It just makes me smile as I walk down the dock headed for my office to write the blog.  ;o)

What is up for the Tropical Bar Scene in 2014?

    As a bartender, I have noticed that the quality and uniqueness of the cocktails is still one of the things of interest to the customers, but more and more, they seem to be looking for a quality product that is consistent and tastes good.   The days of the slam it together and make sure that is pink and has some rum in it are truly gone. 

    This year I'm looking for people that are interested in a better quality cocktail and to experience the honest spirits and shed the past days of sugared and "fake" spirits.   The "Real McCoy" to quote a slogan from the days of Prohibition is what the customer is looking for today.  My sales of high end rums is soaring and the clientele wants to be educated about these quality spirits as well.

     I'm finding that I need to know a lot about each of the fine rums that we dispense and know a lot about the people that make them.   I tend to follow the master blenders that have impressed me in the past and those that continue to stay away from the artificially flavored and colored  spirits.   Today we have such a variety of great honest spirits to enjoy that it really becomes unnecessary to even get involved with much else.  This is a great thing in my eyes, because I get to share many of my favorite rums and rum makers with so many new clientele.

     This is going to be a great year in the rum business, and one that I hope is just the start of a new era of appreciation of fine spirits and moving away from the artificial and into the real.

I'm Feeling Lucky Today

     This day almost has three strikes against it, but I feel lucky today and headed out any way.  It is a full moon, freezing cold (by Key West Standards), just a great day to stay home and pull the blankets back over my head.

     The sun did rise in a beautiful way and I'm feeling all right, perfect to poke my nose out and challenge the day.   I'm actually feeling very lucky, I could be in a place just a few miles north of here where it is actually cold and not just cold to those of us that are use to the 70's,

     I walked down the dock at dark thirty this morning to meet the full moon, and about a half hour later the sun rose, then the day got even better.   I could actually feel the warmth of the sun just after it rose.   The day will keep getting better and better as the day goes on.

     The real good news is that the cold front is nearly past and we will be back in the 70's tomorrow.  Hurrah, shorts and t-shirts again.  Today was the first time in two years that I had to put on long pants for the weather.  It really sucks, long pants, socks and real shoes.  I left the northern regions to avoid this and sure enough I got handed a reminder today, just as a reality check, but a reminder none the less.   Oh well I'll make it through and back to the sunshine and the 70's tomorrow.  ;o)

Simple Three Item Cocktail!

     One thing that I always hear these days from the home mixologists is "I need a good three item cocktail".  Here is an idea for one that might surprise you and won't break the budget either.   I was fooling around yesterday with some Brugal Blanco extra dry white rum and found this to be a tasty and very simple cocktail.  Either of the liqueurs will work fine, and cranberry cocktail will be a touch sweeter than the cranberry juice.  Tailor it to your taste.


The Tree Item Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz. Brugal Extra Dry White Rum
• 1 1/2 oz. Peach Schnaps or Apricot Brandy
• Top Up with Cranberry Juice or Cocktail

Place all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled.  Strain into a Martini Glass and garnish with an orange zest.

     It has some of the notes of a cosmo, but it is uniquely scrumptious.   Try one of these, they are simple and tasty.   ;o)

Rum in 2014: Where are we Going?

     With the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival just around the corner April 25^th thru 27^th , the rum category’s health in 2014 is an important subject to the rum lovers of America.    There has been a growth in the category for the pas number of years, but the category has taken an important step in the past couple of years.  There is a shift from bulk rum to ages ultra-premium rums.     Both are a part of the total picture, but the higher end sipping rums are the focus for the category today.

     There has been a trend toward the release of more and more of these very special rums in the past three or so years.  The Introduction in 2010 of Abuelo Centuria, in 2012, Brugal’s Papa Andres, Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Rum, in 2013, Bacardi’s Facundo Rums and 2013 Don Pancho Fernandez’s Origenes are all extremely fine rums that will rival the fine cognacs and top Scotches.

     “Despite global rum volumes falling 0.4% in 2012 (IWSR), this premiumisation is expected to contribute to the category’s modestly projected 17% volume growth by 2016, to 1.7bn liters (Euromonitor). Rum volumes in Asia will jump by 30% by that time, although local brands will continue to dominate.”

     There have been a large number of new rums introduced that are all in the sipping rum category, Diplomatico Vintage 2000, The Real McCoy Rums,  Brugal’s  Siglo de Oro,  Debonaire line , to name a few.  I’m getting indications that the trend is going to continue in 2014.  The idea of vintage rums is taking hold and the movement to more “honest rums” that really spend time in the barrels, instead of being artificially colored and flavored.

     I’m really looking forward to this year’s Miami Rum Renaissance Festival in April and the opportunity to see so many of my rum producing friends again and all of those who enjoy the spirits of the cane as well.   It is my goal to keep the category moving forward and introducing more and more people to the virtues of the fine rums.  ;o)
    

St Lucia through the Windshield

     St Lucia is another of the Caribbeans beautiful mountainous islands.   The thick jungle vegetation and all of the fruit plantations make this a very pretty and colorful island.  Heading up the mountain out of Castries, the capitol of St. Lucia, you begin to see the terrain change from city to rural fairly quickly.   Once over the mountain, the view of the lush valley is breath taking.    I find these islands with their beautiful mountains and valleys  very nice.


    
     There are bananas, and spices and a variety of other items planted on the island and at the edge of the valley is the St. Lucia Distillers, makers of Chairman's Reserve Rums.
   

     Moving up and down the mountain there are a variety of colorful views of the bays that are all around the seashores. 

     The creativeness of the people is clear with arts and crafts available all around.  From the cars to the bowls to the hats and even the painted Tiki's, there are things that catch you eye everywhere.

     This is another of the Islands that I really enjoyed driving over and around and one that you need to see, given the opportunity.  ;o)

This is a Morning That is so Worth Seeing

     I stepped off of the boat this morning to an absolute calm that I haven't felt in quite some time.   There was no wind, the sun was just peeking over the corner of the condos across the marina.   All was right with the world as I started my days journey.   The sun had ignited the sky with fire and did a great job of getting my eyes opened.  

     I usually get out of the boat before the sun rises these days, now we are back on standard time for the winter.   To have slept in a bit this morning, which made me feel better to start with and have the sun just hit me and brighten everything up for me just capped the whole experience.


       As I drifted down the docks I noticed how smooth the water was, not even a ripple.  I could see all the way to the bottom and all of the morning sea life that was swimming around down there.   Tarpon, snapper, parrot fish and a whole cast of others.  All of this added to my wonderment as I made my way up to the office and sat down to write.

     I just hope that your day is as wonderful as mine is starting out to be and you get to share some of my peaceful easy feelings that I am happily sharing with you.   ;o)

Sea Oats and Sugar Sand

     With the sunshine back and the temps in the warm zone I tend to let my mind drift to the eastern side of the Bahamas and the Sea Oats, sugar sand, and beautiful clear waters.   So glad to be back in a warm environment again and enjoying the days and evenings outside.   ;o)

El Dorado 25 Year Old Vintage Rum

     From the Diamond Distillery located on the banks of the Demerara River in Guyana come one of the finest El Dorado Rums ever.   The brand new El Dorado 25 Year Old Vintage Rum.

     This rum has a rich brown mahogany hue serious legs that are really alluring to the eye.   The aromas of smoky wood, tobacco, fruits, caramel and spices fill your nose as you take in it's emanations.   On the palate, El Dorado 25 Year Old is sweet initially, followed by spices, fruitiness, with notes of a wine cask present.   There is a lingering finish that changes during the duration from a fruity flavor to spices and notes of oak.

     I am presently working on getting El Dorado 25 Year Old Vintage Rum into the Rum Bar in Key West for your opportunity to enjoy in the near future.  El Dorado 25 Year Old Vintage Rum is one that I'm sure will become a favorite immediately upon your first sips.   ;o)

From a Fort to an Insane Asylum to a Bar

Fort Matthews

     Fort Matthews in Grenada has one of the strangest histories of any place that I have ever been.  It started life as a Fort on the hills overlooking the City of St. Georges, Grenada.   As it began to deteriorate, it became the island's insane asylum and today nestled in the catacombs of the once proud fort is a quaint and comfortable bar.    

     Our visit to the bar was at the end of a long day of traveling around the island visiting rum distilleries, chocolate plantations, national parks, and a whole lot of other interesting places here in Grenada.   As we entered the fort it became clear that this fort was in ruin from many years of deterioration and bombardment.  

     The fort was built by the French in the era around  1791 and originally along with Fort Fredrick were the "back to back forts that were built to protect the "high grounds" above St. Georges to prevent the British from attacking like the French did to seize the island..  The fort has a colorful history, it began live as a noble fort, but later became a place to house the insane.   In 1983 is was mistakenly bombed by the invading Americans.  Fort Fredrick or Fort George were the active military forts at the time.

     The fort today is finally undergoing some restoration with the help of Clarke's Court Rum.  One of the new features of the fort is a great little cocktail lounge that is located deep into the tunnels of the fort.  Serving cocktails in an atmosphere of an old grotto  with colorful low lights that bring everything to life down there.  It is the perfect place to sit on the rum barrel chairs and sip a Clarke's Court #37 rum.  


    As you walk out of the bar into the tunnels you will see the tiny rooms that the detainees once occupied and look out the windows to the courtyard below.  You get the feeling that you are in a maze in which you may never return, but the pathways is well lighted and you can easily navigate around the tunnels and see the interesting structures.

     If you should find yourself visiting Grenada, you will find the islands very warm and inviting, with so many places to see and things to do. but don't miss the "back to back" forts at the top of the hill overlooking St. Georges.  ;o)

"Hot Toddy" Time!!!

     These past few days down here in the Keys have brought out the need for a new "Hot Toddy".   I gave it some thought yesterday afternoon and came up with this idea for a really flavorful toddy to warm the cockles of your heart and body.

     First it has to be a warm you up from the inside, then it has to be spicy, creamy and exciting.  Here is the idea that I came up with.  See what you think, these cold nights are just perfect for a warm toddy with the Caribbean in its heart.

Bahama Bob’s "Caribbean Hot Toddy"

• 1 oz. Siesta Key Spiced Rum
• 1/2 oz. Brinley Gold Shipwreck Vanilla Rum
• 1/2 oz. Brinley Gold Shipwreck Coffee Rum
• 1/4 oz. Rum Chata
• 2 0z. Hot Water

Place all ingredients in a Cordial Coffee Glass and serve garnished with whipped cream and sprinkle with fresh ground Nutmeg.

     I'll be on the aft deck tonight enjoying one of these, why don't you try it yourself.  ;o)
 

 

 

Debonaire 15 Year Grand Reserve

 

"Don Pancho" Fernandez

    Debonaire Rums are distilled in Panama and blended by Mr. ‘Don Pancho’ Fernandez, Master Blender, born in Cuba in 1938, and former Master Blender for Havana Club and Abuelo.    Currently the master blender at the Las Cabras Distillery in Panama.  This is one of the masters of rum that has provided so much to the industry in his many years as a blender.  His name on Debonaire 's bottle is an indication of the quality you can expect.

 

     Debonaire Rums are the newest addition to Phillip S. Zanghi III’s Cigar business, together with fine rums created by "Don Pancho" Fernandez, the combination is unbeatable.  There are few cigar smokers that would not enjoy this fine rum with their Debonaire Cigar.    This classic Spanish style rum is the perfect partner for the cigars.

 

     There is a golden amber color to the rum, that will draw you in to the glass for your first sensing of the toasty wood, cinnamon and honey aromas.   The rum is a medium bodied rum with a faintly sweet and silkiness that gives way to an oak, spice and fruitiness on the palate.   There is a flavor of vanilla, honey and wood that lingers at the finish.

 

     This is just one of several very distinguished rum available in the Debonaire line of rums, it is a very nicely finished rum that will make for a perfect sipping addition to you rum shelf.  If you are traveling outside of the United States keep an eye out in the Duty Free Shops for this fine rum and bring it home with you.  ;o)

Chilly Morning in Key West

     It was really hard for me to get out of the boat and make my way to the office to write the blog this morning.   The wind has been howling all night and the temperatures are in the low 50's.   I know it sounds like summer for those of you up in the single digit areas, but just like you suffer down here in the summer heat, it doesn't take a really cold temperature mixed with high humidity and wind to send you running for shelter and the warmth of the inside.

     If the repairs continue to work, It will be back to normal in the morning.  ;o)

Daiquiri Season is Upon Us

    The winter is a great time to warm up with a nice Daiquiri in front of the fireplace, or in my case on the aft deck.  This one is slightly different, because it lacks sugar and lime juice, but it really makes up for it in taste,   This idea came to me yesterday evening when I was sitting at the Hurricane Hole watching the 49ers win a very exciting game to move ahead in the playoff picture.  

     It was a "bitter sweet" moment for the crowd of Packer and 49er fans that had gathered to watch the game.   After the game I had an idea, to take the sweetness of an 18 year old Flor de Caya Rum then add Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Liqueur to sweeten the tartness inherent to the mixture, add some bitters and there you have it.   It sounded good at the moment, and it came together even better.

Bahama Bob’s Foot Loose Faux Daiquiri

•   2 1/2 oz. Flor de Caya 18 Year Old Rum

•   1 oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
•   2 dashes of Fee Bros. Orange Bitters
•   1 dash Fee Bros. Old Fashion Bitters

Place all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.  Strain into a chilled Martini Glass and garnish with a long orange zest.

     If you are looking for a more sophisticated cocktail that isn't real sweet, this one just might fill the bill.