Top 100 Rums That Cost Less Than $100Number One

Number One on the List

     The Houston Chronicle has issued its top 100 rums list that cost less than $100.00.  I find the list very interesting, but I cant believe there are several rums like Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, Havana Club Seven Year Old and a few others that were not included.   It is great to have such a list available for us to view and a catalog to go to for ideas for the purchase of some good rums.

     Tired of drinking standard Captain Morgan, but don’t quite have the budget to splurge for the good stuff on the top shelf? Not to worry — when it comes to rum, there’s plenty of affordable middle ground.

UnderTheLabel used our Smart Rating system, which combines expert reviews and liquor competition results, to find the 100 best rums for under $100. We included the average price, Smart Rating and category (dark, spiced, cachaca, et al.) of each rum.

Every bottle on this list has a Smart Rating of at least 91, so if you’re craving a drink but can’t justify spending too much, there’s plenty of quality out there for the penny-pinching connoisseur.

#100. Atlantico Platino  Price: $20  Category: White  Smart Rating: 91

#99. ILC Aguardiente Tradicional  Price: $7  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 91

#98. El Dorado Rum 12 Year Old  Price: $30  Category: Aged, Dark, Flavored  Smart Rating: 91

#97. Savanna 8 Ans Traditionel Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#96. Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo Rum Aged 10 Years  Price: $55  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#95. Stone Rum  Price: $23  Category: White  Smart Rating: 91

#94. Stolen Dark Rum  Price: $18  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 91

#93. Real McCoy 3 Year Old  Price: $20  Category: White  Smart Rating: 91

#92. Rusticator Rum  Price: $40  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#91. Pampero Especial Rum  Price: $20  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 91

#90. Plantation Original Dark Rum  Price: $35  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 91

#89. Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum  Price: $30  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#88. Debonaire Very Special Reserve Rum  Price: $38  Category: Premium, Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#87. Malahat Spirits Spiced  Price: $40  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 91

#86. Cruzan Single Barrel Rum  Price: $30  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 91

#85. 3 Praias Agricole Rum  Price: $44  Category: Cachaca, Gold  Smart Rating: 91

#84. Hum Botanical Spirit  Price: $40  Category: Overproof, Spiced  Smart Rating: 91

#83. Screech Rum  Price: $26  Category: Dark, Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#82. Ron Abuelo Añejo Rum  Price: $13  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 92

#81. Stolen Gold Rum  Price: $30  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 92

#80. La Mauny VSOP Old Agricole Rum  Price: $49  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 92

#79. El Dorado 15 Year Old Rum  Price: $30  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#78. Sagatiba Cachaca Brazilian  Price: $28  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 92

#77. Murray McDavid Guyana Rum 1990  Price: $76  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#76. Zafra Master Reserve Rum  Aged 21 Years  Price: $40  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#75. Centenario Fundacion XX Años Rum  Price: $44  Category: Aged, Premium  Smart Rating: 93

#74. Captain Morgan Rum 1671  Price: $20  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 93

#73. Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum  Price: $80  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#72. Angostura 5 Year Anejo Rum  Price: $24  Category: Aged, Flavored, Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#71. Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum  Price: $24  Category: White  Smart Rating: 93

#70. Cruzan Aged Dark Rum  Price: $16  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 93

#69. Ron Botran 1893 Solera Rum  Price: $71  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#68. Clement Rhum Agricole VSOP  Price: $42  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#67. Appleton Estate V/X  Price: $20  Category: Dark, Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#66. Diplomático Añejo Rum  Price: $14  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#65. Havana Club Selecciíon de Maestros  Price: $62  Category: Aged, Overproof, Premium
Smart Rating: 93

#64. Plantation 1998 Old Reserve Rum  Price: $35  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#63. Rhum J.M. Vieux 1997 Rum  Price: $90  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#62. Plantation Rum Grande Reserve  Price: $20  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#61. Single Cask Rhum Agricole  Price: $62  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#60. Diplomatico Reserva Rum  Price: $20  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#59. Kirk and Sweeney 12 Year   Price: $40  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#58. Clement Créole Shrubb  Price: $35  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 93

#57. Admiral Rodney 12 Year Old Rum  Price: $35  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#56. Castries Rum Cream  Price: $30  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#55. English Harbour 5 Year Old Antigua Rum  Price: $30  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#54. Rhum J.M. White Rum  Price: $38  Category: White  Smart Rating: 94

#53. Phraya Extra-1  Price: $50  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#52. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum  Price: $22  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 94

#51. Flor de Cana 4 Year Old Gold Rum  Price: $15  Category: Flavored, Cachaca, Spiced
Smart Rating: 94

#50. Tíz White Gold Rum  Price: $26  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#49. Ron Fortuna 8 Year Old  Price: $22  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#48. Ron Abuelo Añejo 7 Años Reserva Superior Rum  Price: $20  Category: Aged
Smart Rating: 94

#47. Cabana Cachaca Rum  Price: $35  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#46. Whaler’s Vanille Rum  Price: $13  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#45. Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Millésime 2001  Price: $89  Category: Gold
Smart Rating: 94

#44. Coisa Nossa Cachaca Branca  Price: $15  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#43. Yaguara Cachaca  Price: $45  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#42. Don Rafael Cacao  Price: $40  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#41. 1931 Rum  Price: $45  Category: Aged, Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#40. Coisa Nossa Cachaca Amadeirada  Price: $15  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#39. Kinkylux White  Price: $18  Category: White, Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#38. Bounty Overproof  Price: $13  Category: Overproof  Smart Rating: 94

#37. Kinkynero Dark  Price: $18  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 94

#36. Real McCoy 5 Year Old  Price: $24  Category: Dark, Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#35. Sergeant Classick Gold Rum  Price: $22  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#34. Caribbean Treasure Rumby Vanilla  Price: $35  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#33. Murray McDavid Guyana Rum 1991  Price: $71  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#32. Facundo Rum Exquisito  Price: $90  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#31. Appleton Estate 12 Year Old  Price: $30  Category: Aged, Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#30. Red Leg Spiced Rum  Price: $30  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 94 

#29. Rougaroux Sugarshine Rum  Price: $29  Category: Overproof  Smart Rating: 94

#28. Miami Club White Rum  Price: $28  Category: White  Smart Rating: 94

#27. Stolen Over-Proof White Rum  Price: $40  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#26. Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Blanc  Price: $32  Category: White  Smart Rating: 94

#25. Appleton Estate Reserve  Price: $27  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 95

#24. Botran Añejo Reserva Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 95

#23. Ron Cartavio XO Rum  Price: $80  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 95

#22. Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum  Price: $60  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 95

#21. Ron Cartavio Solera Rum 12 Años  Price: $35  Category: Aged, Dark, Flavored, Spiced
Smart Rating: 95

#20. Inner Circle Green Spot Traditional Pot Still Rum  Price: $55  Category: Dark, Overproof
Smart Rating: 95

#19. Tanduay Silver Rum  Price: $20  Category: White  Smart Rating: 95 

#18. Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21  Price: $20  Category: Aged, Flavored, Premium, Spiced  Smart Rating: 96

#17. Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum  Price: $28  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 96

#16. Matusalem Gran Reserva 23 Year Old Rum  Price: $62  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 96

#15. Santa Teresa Araku Ron y Coffee Liqueur  Price: $22  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 96

#14. Angostura 7 Year Old Dark Rum  Price: $32  Category: Aged, Dark, Flavored, Premium
Smart Rating: 96

#13. Montecristo Rum  Price: $40  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 96

#12. Appleton Estate Extra Rum  Price: $37  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 96

#11. Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Rum  Price: $60  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 96

#10. Berkshire Mountain Ragged Mountain Rum  Price: $26  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 97

#9. Pusser’s Rum  Price: $22  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 97

#8. Santa Teresa 1796 Ron Antiguo de Solera  Price: $40  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 97

#7. Dictador 20 Rum  Price: $60  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 98

#6. Ron Abuelo 7 Year Old Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 98

#5. Pampero Aniversario Rum  Price: $30  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 98

#4. Cruzan Single Barrel Extra-Aged Rum  Price: $16  Category: Aged, Premium  Smart Rating: 99

#3. Leblon Cachaca  Price: $30  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 99

#2. Zaya Gran Reserva Rum  Price: $35  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 99

#1. Ron Abuelo 12 Year Old Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 100

Read More at http://blog.chron.com/hottopics/2016/01/best-rums-for-under-100/

U.S. Grants Cuban Government a Trademark for Havana Club Rum

Decision angers Bacardi, which agreed to buy U.S. rights in 1994 from the Arechabala family that fled Cuba in 1960

     The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week awarded a trademark for Havana Club rum-Cuba's most famous brand-to the Cuban government, reversing a policy that denied Havana rights to the brand in the U.S.   The move is expected to reignite longstanding tension between Bacardi Ltd. and the Cuban government.   The Patent Office, which issued a document reviewed by The Wall Street Journal confirming the award, said it doesn't comment on trademark applications.

     Privately held Bacardi has been selling Havana Club branded rum in the U.S. since 1994. The company acquired the U.S. rights from Havana Club's founding family, who fled Cuba around 1960 after the brand was seized by the government.    Bacardi's Havana Club rum is made in Puerto Rico due to the U.S. economic embargo.   Bacardi Executive Vice President of External Affairs Rick Wilson said the company would "take every means available to fight [the decision]," including litigation. "It's appalling that this administration goes ahead and grants this license to the Cuban government for assets that were confiscated," he said of the Obama administration.

     Pernod Ricard SA, which has a joint venture with the Cuban government, has been selling a Cuban-made version of the rum outside the U.S.   The Patent Office's decision could open a new battle for the future of the U.S. rum market by allowing the Cuban government to sell Cuban-made Havana Club in the U.S. for the first time in decades once the U.S. embargo is lifted.   Pernod Ricard said that Cubaexport, the Cuban entity that applied for the U.S. trademark for Havana Club, received a trademark license for 15 days, which is when the trademark was slated to lapse.   The company has applied for a 10-year extension of its trademark through 2026 and expects to receive it. A spokesman said the decision doesn't have "any business impact because of the embargo," which prevents it from selling Cuban-made rum in the U.S. 

     Havana Club was Cuba's second-largest rum brand at the time of the 1959 revolution behind Bacardi. The Bacardi family was able to continue to make its rum after the revolution because they had distilleries in Puerto Rico and Mexico, Mr. Wilson said, but Havana Club's founding family-the Arechabalas-only operated in Cuba. So the Arechabala family's distilleries were nationalized.   The Arechabala family failed to renew its trademark registration for Havana Club in 1973, according to Pernod Ricard. Three years later, the Cuban government secured a trademark for the brand.   It joined with Paris-based Pernod Ricard in 1993 to handle sales of the brand world-wide, according to Pernod Ricard's account of what happened. 

Read More at http://www.wsj.com/articles/cuban-government-granted-a-u-s-trademark-for-havana-club-rum-1452890441

The GQ Guide to Smuggling Booze into Those Concerts

     When sneaking booze into a concert venue, you face two challenges. The first and most substantial challenge is security, of which there are many types. There are burly bouncers with beady eyes who assess your capacity for misbehavior as you present your ID outside the club. There are geezers at folk festivals who practically adopt you after they take your ticket. And then there are TSA-level teams in matching neon shirts giving out over-the-clothes cavity searches outside major events. Each requires a different level of stealth.

     Depending on where your self-respect is at right now, some of the following techniques can overcome both challenges. Others will only solve the first. None are strictly endorsed by GQ. We just want you to know what's out there.

     One of my favorites is my trusty "Bible" cut out for a hip flask.  This is a great unassuming little unit that will get you about a half pint of your favorite libation into the event.   

     The umbrella with the hollow shaft filled with booze is another one.  Go to GQ on line and see the rest of the interesting ideas that people have come up with to bring your booze to the party.

Read More at http://www.gq.com/story/alcohol-smuggling-guide

The Baths at Virgin Gorda

     One of the many beautiful places in the British Virgin Islands is Virgin Gorda and in particular the Baths.  This is an outcropping of granite in a place where you rarely ever see granite.  This outcrop looks like someone just dropped a huge pile of enormous boulders at the seashore and went away.  Crawling around these boulders and between them is a great adventure and one you ill never forget.

Chilly Nights and a Warm Hot Apple Toddy

     The first really chilly evenings have landed in the Keys, and it is definitely time to bundle up and enjoy a hot apple toddy as I enjoy the sunset on the aft deck today.   What to make this with, I have a taste for a good spiced rum and a friend gave me a bottle of King Ginger Liqueur some time back I want to try.   Good pure apple juice, warmed up and the addition of a great spiced rum and a little bit of ginger flavor, I think that will do it.

Siesta Hot Apple Toddy

·         2 oz.  Siesta Key Aged Spiced Rum

·         1 oz.  King Ginger Liqueur

·         6 oz. 100% (Not from Concentrate) Apple Cider

·         Fresh Ground Cinnamon

·         Couple of drops of Fresh Lemon Juice

Warm a coffee mug in Hot Water, add rum, ginger and apple juice warmed for about 1 minute in a microwave, stir, and garnish with a a couple of drops of lemon juice and fresh ground cinnamon.

     This is just what the doctor ordered, it is really flavorful, not to sweet and just perfect to take that chill off on these chilly evenings.   Make some of this up for the evening's enjoyment and take the chill off of you evening.  

El Dorado and Demerara Introduces the Rare Collection of Single Still Expressions

The Basis for the Rare Collection

     In 2016, the Demerara Distillers Launches Rare Collection range: a limited selection of three rum single and at full proof.  The Demerara Distillers has adopted the concept that Velier created about fifteen years ago The first three expressions will be under the El Dorado label.    The Demerara Distillers has adopted the concept that Velier has created about fifteen years ago in creating his Diamond Rums and in its collaboration with the distillery has taken him around the world, helping create the myth of Demerara rum.
      The Rum “Diamond” 1999 Demerara - Velier 15 Years is a new Demerara product of Velier family, it is a diamond of Guyana, a land of South America. After the 2014 trip, Luca Velier has selected that spirit, whose flavor leaves you unarmed. Situated between a fruit liqueur and a rum, the harmony of tones that dominates nose and palate is a real surprise. Its medium-light body comes from the use of the Diamond Still, a double column Coffey Still, and is a pleasure to taste, suitable also for the palates that love simpler products. That 1999 rum can be distinguished from other diamonds, the other “Diamonds”, in particular from the 1996 one, for its smoked, interesting, unique shades. Velier family have made 1137 bottles, which are the symbol of a high quality work that belongs to ancient culture and profession, famous all over the world and boasting a circulation dating back to the ships of Christopher Columbus. A real treasure!

    The parent rum is Demerara, branded El Dorado, and has chosen the rum of the three 'legendary' wooden stills.   The wooden double pot still, Port Mourant, the wooden single pot Versailles and the column coffey wooden still, Enmore, these stills produced the rums that were selected in 1993.   We are pleased and excited because the rum is really sensational. 

The 2016 Rare Collection

     Demerara has a long and stellar history in the sugar and rum business and her are a few highlights.

http://www.eldorado-rum.com/

1790 – The most popular in the United States are the Demerara rum.
1813 – Guyana passes from the Netherlands to England, and knows a new expansion. Distilleries were built alongside the sugar mills.
1900 – Guyana is the second biggest exporter of rum after Martinique.
1900-1950 – Bookers, the largest manufacturer of Demerara sugar, controls the production of rum.
1952 – All the distilleries annexed to its sugar refineries are incorporated in the Guyana Distilleries.
1960 – Even the distillery of Uitvlugt is incorporated.
1975 – Guyana Distilleries is ceded to the State, which builds the Guyana Liquor Corporation.
1976 – Incorporation of Guyana Distilleries, Demerara Distillers and Diamond Liqueurs in Guyana Liquors Corporation led by Yesu Persaud.
1978 – Inauguration of the new bulk terminal in Georgetown, Demerara River.

1992 – El Dorado brand is launched.

These three single still expressions as sure to be ones that are incredibly hard to get your hands on an I'm looking forward to at sometime this year getting o at least taste them.

Siesta Key Rum a New Style of Rum on the Horizon

Experimental "Double Thumper" Pot Still

     I visited Troy Roberts at the Drum Circle Distillery yesterday and he showed me a laboratory "Double Thumper" still where he has been doing some experimenting on some new rums.   This is a pot still that has a pair of rectifiers before going into the condenser.   This is the classic still that goes back hundreds of years as the one at River Antoine Distillery in Grenada.

River Antoine "Double Thumper" Wood Fire Heated Pot Still

     These stills produce a full bodied, full flavored rum.   America is starting to enjoy rums that are more than just a straight white unaged mixing rums.  Today's rums are full flavored and I don't mean added ingredients, but rather rums that the distiller and blenders have put the effort in when creating the rum rather than adding artificial flavors to make you think they they had done their homework.

"Double Thumper Juice"

     Troy is excited about developing new rums from this style of pot still.  His first experiments are showing some great potential, I tasted a sample at full 130 plus proof and the flavor is absolutely wonderful.    Troy promises me that there will be some really wonderful expressions coming from this still.   I thoroughly enjoy the rums at their full strength because you can really taste all of the work and effort that the distiller put into it.   These are true rum, they still have the flavor of the molasses from which they came.

     The future of Siesta Key Rums is a very bright one, mostly because Troy is not afraid to try new things in the distilling and aging methods.   Everything that has come to me from Drum Circle Distilling has been really great.  It is always a pleasure to receive a new expression from Siesta Key Rums.

U.S. Diet Guideline are Out for Drinking Age Adults

     The 2015 Guidelines define moderate drinking for adults of legal drinking age as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.  According to the Guidelines, if consumed in moderation, alcohol "can help individuals achieve healthy eating patterns."

     The whole idea of having a balance between food and booze in your diet.  According to the U.S. guide lines, "a standard drink - or a one drink-equivalent - as 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, 5 ounces of wine and 12 ounces of regular beer.  The Guidelines point out that each of these standard drinks contain 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol."    

     Also worth noting is that for the first time, a suggestion on putting a cap on sugar consumption.   No more than 10 percent of your daily calories intake should be sugar.   Eggs and cholesterol are off the bad list, but limiting salt is highly recommended.   The consumption calories that contain lean protein, fruits and vegetables and drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day can also be part of a healthy diet, according to the guidelines.   By law, the Dietary Guidelines serve as the basis for the federal nutrition policy.

     I have my doubts about some of these things, especially that much coffee and not watching out for things with high cholesterol.   As far as the alcohol goes, there is no mention of weight and size of the person when they say how much they can consume.  Not too bad overall though, I believe that a well balanced diet is the key to healthy living.   ;o)

The Cathedrals and Basilicas of Cuba

Russian Orthodoc Cjurch

     In my travels through Cuba, one of the most remarkable places I visited were the churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas.  Both Santiago de Cuba had many remarkable structures dedicated to their belief in God.




     In Havana there were three that really stood out for me.   First was the Russian Orthodox Church near the harbor.  It was a clean white with a gold color Russian style dome.   I really stands out as you walk through the marina area.

Basilica de San Franisco

Basilica de San Francisco

     In the area of Port of San Francisco, there was the Basilica of San Francisco.  This was a very old stone basilica that was very majestic and a classic catholic church in design and appearance.

Plaza de la Cathedral

     In the more central part of Havana is the Plaza de la Cathedral.  With its huge plaza filled with
tables and chairs, it has become a favorite of the locals for lunch.  The cathedral is not open to the public, so it can only be observed from the outside.

Basilica Iglesia Cathedral

     Traveling to the Eastern end of the island, you will find Basilica Iguesia Cathedral in central Santiago de Cuba.  This Cathedral has a huge plaza in front that the public use on a regular basis.  This is another of the beautifully maintained religious sites in Cuba.



     The most impressive of all of the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of Cobra.  Located just outside of Santiago de Cuba in the town of Cobra (Meaning Copper) surrounded by the copper mines that keep the area working.  This Basilica is the on that the Pope has visited several time in the past few decades, including in 2015.

Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of Cobra

A Very Special Thanks

     Six of my regular customers of mine for the past six or so years called me today today to get together to give me this very special handmade wall hanging.   A very special and heart felt thank you to Barbara, Terry,Mary Kay, Chris, Maureen and Brad for thinking of me and making this wonderful and bringing me this really cool piece.  Look really close at all of the detai all over the bottle, completely mind blowing.  Thank You again!

Reflecting on a New Journey

     I often sit on the aft deck and reflect on the day as the sun drops into the sea.   Today I'm reflecting on the possibilities that are coming together for the new year.  What a beautiful reflection in the waters.

Bajan Evening Cocktail

     I had a bottle of Real McCoy 12 Year Barbados rum staring at me today and it gave me an idea for something new.   It as cocktail time on the aft deck again and I wanted something like an "Old Fashion", so I went to work.

Bajan Evening

• 2 oz  Real McCoy 12 Year Old Barbados Rum
• ½ oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• ¼ oz. Agave Nectar
• 2 dashes Fee Brothers Old Fashion Bitters

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all ingredients. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.  It can also be served by straining into a rocks glass with fresh ice.

Give this one a try, I think you will be surprised with the smooth and flavor brought to your palate.

"The World's 50 Best Bars" Top Ten Rums

     The "The World's 50 Best Bars" has issued their annual report on what rums are the best selling in their bars and those that are the best trending.    World’s 50 Best Bars Annual Report is the new name for the Brands Report and the Cocktail Report combined.  The Best Selling list is based on bottles sold while the Trending list refers to on-trend brands that are being requested right now but are not necessarily sold in high volumes.

      For a rum that is being made in a country that does not believe in "commerce", after the sale of half of the Havana Club brand to Pernod Ricard, the strength of the brand world wide has grown immensely.   The battle of Bacardi and Havana Club is one of inches, not miles it was only 5% more of the bars fell to Havana Club over Bacardi.

     Ron Zacapa and Diplomatico are leading the trending side of the report.  It is impossible to be among the best selling from the back of the bar, but to be the most talked about in these days of premium rums that are being requested rather that just simply poured from the well.

     There are really no surprises on either list on my mind, these are the ones that are being poured and requested in better bars all around the world.   Most bartenders that serve rum on a regular basis will tell you this is the list of the strongest rums in the worls.  Soon I hope that we will be able to offer the fine rums of Cuba here in America like the rest of the world gets to.

Read More at http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/5809/World_s_50_Best_Bars_Annual_Report:_How_we_did_it.html

This is a Novel Approach to Beating a DUI

“Drunk driving charges against a woman in New York have been dismissed after it was revealed she suffers from auto-brewery syndrome – a rare digestive condition that turns food into alcohol.”

   The 35-year-old teacher stopped in New York this past October when the police received reports her Toyota Corolla was “weaving all over” the road.   When pulled over and tested, she recorded a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit at 0.33%.   Police alleged that she failed several field sobriety tests, including standing on one foot and talking and turning heel-to-toe – but the woman, who has not been named, insisted she had consumed no more than three drinks in the six hours before she was pulled over.

     Her lawyer, Joseph Marusak arranged to have medical professionals monitor his client for a day to ensure she did not consume alcohol and to take several blood samples for testing.   She also bought a breath test kit and blew into it every night for 18 days, registering around 0.20% every time.   After several assessments, the woman was diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome, and was prescribed a low-carbohydrate diet that brought her symptoms under control.

     Her case was dismissed, leaving her free to drive without restrictions, however prosecutors are seeking to have the charges against the woman reinstated.

     Read More at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2016/01/woman-proves-her-body-brews-alcohol-to-beat-drink-driving-charges/?article-source=newsletter&source=595&date=2016-01-05

     This is one of those  bazaar stories that only could happen in the American Jurisprudence,  Lawyers can find a way around almost anything.   I guess it is more power to them for their creativeness.   I wonder if they can tap that production and sell it for a profit?   Great possibilities there.

Thinking Back on Antigua

     Antigua is one of those beautiful islands that really fascinates me.  The combination of the sights
and history, then adding in the wonderful rums produced there.




     I think about a day on a motor scooter cruising around the island.  Leaving  St. Johns we head out into the countryside seeing the small farms and open country.  As we cruise to the east headed toward Devil's Bridge.   As we went through St. George Parish then to St. Peter Parish, we enjoyed the open rolling hills of the this part of the island.  As we approached the Devils Bridge, we encountered wild donkeys along the side of the road.

    The Devil's Bridge is an eye full of the power and beauty of the ocean as it attacks the rocky cliffs of the eastern side of the island.    I could have spent the whole day at the Devil's Bridge, but it was time to head south toward Nelson's Dockyards in Saint Paul Parish on the south coast of Antigua.

    Admiral Nelson's Dockyards is a great historic site.   It is filled with museums that show all of the history and ships that found shelter here.  It was a place for the British Fleet to go to for repairs and even a bit of R and R for the sailors.   It is a fairly long trip down to the dockyards, but a worthwhile one.   The beautiful harbour and historic buildings are great.

     Leaving the Dockyards' we headed down to the beautiful St. Mary Parish coastlines. We had to pause at the beach to enjoy the sights there and dry off a bit after encountering a wet ride through the rain forest.

   

   Now it is time to head back to the north and return to St Johns.   This portion of the trip takes us through more of the countryside at the base of the mountains of the southwestern side of the islands and back to the city and the English Harbour Distillery for an education about the history and the making of rum on the island.
   
     Time for a sample of fine rum and a much needed rest of the back side that has spent quite a bit of time this day bouncing along the country and dirt roads around the island.

New Evening Cocktail for 2016

     I was in the mood for something that had a more sophisticated flavor last night so I went out into the rum lab and created a new idea.  This actually turned out to be really wonderful.  Fine rum, citrus flavors and the spiced rum floating on top.

     Give this a try I think that you will find it very refreshing and satisfying.  This is another one of those on the aft deck evening cocktails, but no matter where you enjoy your cocktails this is one that you might revisit several times.

Bahama Bob’s Caribbean Sidecar

• 2 oz CartavioXO
• 1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon 
• 1/4 oz. Agave Nectar (Optional)
• 1 Tsp. Siesta Key Spiced Rum

Mix or shake all ingredients, except Siesta Key Spiced Rum, with cracked ice in a shaker. Pour or strain into large chilled cocktail glass or snifter. Float Siesta Key Spiced Rum on top.  Garnish with a Lemon Twist.  If it is a bit too tart for you just add about a 1/4 oz. of Agave Nectar to sweeten.