THE RUM MASTERS 2016 RESULTS

In February 2016 The Spirits Business staged The Rum Masters competition in a drive to find and reward the finest rum brands on the world stage. Chaired by The Spirits Business and a panel of leading spirits specialists, the rums will be judged in a blind tasting, to discover the Rum Masters of 2016. Excellence will be recognized by category, age and design and packaging.

2016 Rum Masters

     There were three teams of judges from all over Great Britan.  No tempting was required for our rum experts, who gathered at Rum Kitchen Notting Hill with eager palates. So expansive was the tasting that our judges were split into three teams to tackle the line-up.

     The first team, chaired by Jamie Kimber, bar manager of Trailer Happiness, comprised Alex Knight, head bartender of The Truscott Cellar; Lewis Hayes, owner of Merchant House; and Martin Hughes, assistant general manager of Rocket Restaurant.

     The second team, chaired by Georgi Radev, bar manager of Mahiki, tackled a flight of White Premium rums.  Chris Gutierrez, account manager of Spirit Cartel; Peter Holland, co-founder of The Floating Rum Shack; and Alex Wolpert, founder of East London Liquor Company found “a few very interesting rums” amongst the offering.

     The third team was made up of Roger Barnes, director of Spirits Elite; Miguel A. Hernandez, beverage manager of Engawa Restaurant; Alessio Franzese, bar manager of Rum and Sugar; and Gareth Bell, bar manager of Rum Kitchen Notting Hill. Chairing was Melita Kiely, senior staff writer at The Spirits Business. The group rounded off the white rums with a flight of super-premium expressions.

Read More  at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2016/03/the-rum-masters-2016-results/

After exhausting sessions of tasting rums, the results are now available below.

Company				Brand		Medal
White Standard
Instil Drinks Co.				The Real McCoy 3 Year Old Rum		Silver
Cartavio Rum Company				Ron Cartavio Blanco		Silver
White Premium
Pernod Ricard				Havana Club 3 Year Old		Master
Maison Ferrand				Plantation 3 Stars Silver Rum		Silver
Beam Suntory				Cruzan Estate Diamond Light		Silver
Edrington Brugal				Brugal Especial Extra Dry		Silver
White Super Premium
Abbey Holdings Inc.				St. Nicholas Abbey White Rum		Gold
Skotlander ApS				Skotlander White Rum		Silver
Gold Aged Up To 7 Years
Remy Cointreau UK				Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum		Gold
R.Tremols & Sons SRL				Ron Tremols El Toro		Gold
Delhaize				Rhum Barbados 5 Years		Gold
Worthy Park Estate Ltd				Rum Bar Gold		Gold
Diva Spirits				Compagnie des Indes Latino 5 Years		Silver
Abbey Holdings Inc.				St. Nicholas Abbey 5 Year Old Rum		Silver
Cartavio Rum Company				Ron Cartavio Superior		Silver
Gold Aged 8-12 Years
Instil Drinks Co.				The Real McCoy 12 Year Old		Gold
Abbey Holdings Inc.				St. Nicholas Abbey 10 Year Old Rum		Silver
Gold Aged Over 13 Years
Village Distillery				Murderer’s Bay Gold Rum		Master
Abbey Holdings Inc.				St. Nicholas Abbey 15 Year Old Rum		Gold
Gold Premium
Paradise Imports LLC				Gubba Gold Rum		Silver
Gold Super Premium
La Hechicera Company				La Hechicera Fine Aged Rum		Master
Skotlander ApS				Skotlander Cask Rum		Silver
Company				Brand		Medal
Dark Aged Up To 7 Years
Cartavio Rum Company	Ron Cartavio Selecto Rum				Master
Cartavio Rum Company	Ron Cartavio Black Rum				Gold
Marauda Rum	Marauda Rum Steelpan				Gold
Paradise Beverages	Ratu Dark Rum 5 Year Old				Gold
Angostura Limited	Angostura 7 Year Old				Silver
Beam Suntory	Cruzan Estate Diamond Dark				Silver
Mangrove	Skipper Rum				Silver
Dark Aged 8-12 Years
Spirit Cartel	Don Q Añejo				Gold
Beam Suntory	Cruzan Single Barrel Rum				Gold
Cartavio Rum Company	Ron Cartavio Black Barrel Rum				Gold
Cartavio Rum Company	Ron Cartavio Solera Rum				Gold
Williams & Humbert	Dos Maderas PX				Silver
Pernod Ricard	Havana Club 7 Year Old				Silver
Dark Aged Over 13 Years
Maison Ferrand	Plantation Trinidad 2003				Master
Williams & Humbert	Dos Maderas Luxus				Gold
Harbour Island Rum Co.	Afrohead Rum				Silver
One Eyed Spirits	Ron de Jeremy XO				Silver
Pernod Ricard	Havana Club 15 Year Old				Silver
Cartavio Rum Company	Ron Cartavio XO				Silver
Dark Premium
Grays Inc. Ltd	New Grove Single Cask Rum – Vintage 2005				Master
Maison Ferrand	Plantation Original Dark Rum				Silver
Beam Suntory	Cruzan Aged Dark Rum				Silver
Dark Super Premium
Spirit Cartel	Don Q Gran Añejo				Master
Remy Cointreau UK	Mount Gay XO Rum				Gold
Berry Bros & Rudd	Penny Blue XO Batch #004				Silver
Angostura Limited	Angostura 1824				Silver
Mangrove	Santa Teresa 1796 Ron Antiguo de Solera Rum				Silver
Edrington Brugal	Brugal 1888				Silver
Company	Brand				Medal
Rhum Agricole
Damoiseau			Damoiseau Pure Cane Rum		Master
Groupe BBS			Maison La Maury Ter Rouj’		Gold
La Martiniquaise			Saint James Impérial White Rum		Silver
Groupe BBS			Maison La Mauny Rhum Blanc Agricole		Silver
Groupe BBS			Trois Rivières Cuvée Spéciale Mojito & Long Drink		Silver
Héritiers H. Clément			Rhum Clément Select Barrel		Silver
Aged Rhum Agricole
La Martiniquaise			Saint James 1765 Cuvée		Gold
Groupe BBS			Trois Rivières Triple Millésime		Gold
Damoiseau			Damoiseau VSOP		Gold
Rhum J.M			Rhum J.M XO		Gold
Damoiseau			Damoiseau 8 Year Old Rum		Gold
Damoiseau			Damoiseau 10 Year Old Rum		Gold
Groupe BBS			Trois Rivières 12 ans d’âge		Silver
Héritiers H. Clément			Rhum Clement VSOP		Silver
Groupe BBS			Maison La Mauny XO		Silver
Groupe BBS			Trois Rivières Cuvée du Moulin		Silver
Spiced Rum
Signature Brand			Old J Spiced Rum		Master
Dark Matter Distillers			Dark Matter Spiced Rum		Gold
Mangrove			Elements 8 Spiced Rum		Gold
Paradise Beverages			Ratu Spiced Rum		Silver
BOTL Wine & Spirit Merchants			Butterfly Cane Spiced		Silver
Company			Brand		Medal
White Overproof
Worthy Park Estate Ltd		Rum Bar Rum			Silver
Gold Overproof
Diva Spirits		Compagnie des Indes Overproof			Gold
Dark Overproof
Paradise Beverages		Bounty Overproof Rum			Gold
Cellar Trends Ltd		Pusser’s Rum Gunpowder Proof			Silver
Overproof Rhum Agricole
Groupe BBS		Trois Rivières Cask Strength Millésime 2006			Gold
Groupe BBS		Trois Rivières Rhum Blanc Agricole			Silver
Rum Liqueurs
Worthy Park Estate Ltd		Rum Bar Cream			Master
Quintessential Brands		Toussaint Coffee Liqueur			G

This Week Put the Sunset on the Month of February, Man I'm Ready for the Warm

     February is traditionally the coolest month here in Key West, and this week we put it behind us.   Now the air can start to warm up and hopefully the winds begin to die down and we will enjoy what the Keys are all about.  It is time for the wonderful water and warmth that are so much a part of Key West.

Saint Croix Rum Festival “Flavor of Rum”

     St. Croix Rum Festival “Flavor of Rum” is an annual event to promote St. Croix’s historical culture of spirits, food, music and arts. St. Croix Rum Festival takes place on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at the historical Fort Frederik in Frederiksted, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands; overlooking the magnificent backdrop of the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility. Flavor of Rum is a one day event full of fun experience!   Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 3:00 PM - Monday, May 30, 2016 at 1:00 AM   Fort Frederik in Frederiksted - St. Croix VI.

     This is going to be a very fun event.  I'll be there and involved in the judging for the event.  I'm really looking forward to this event in May.  I has all of the earmarks of being one the years really great events.

     Whether you are ther for the party and the event or maybe going to be a part of the event for the "Flair Bartender Competition or the Bikini Contest, we're looking for you.   In-Box Sweetz Moore or George Moore for more information. 

You must be 21 years of age or older to enter!!! 

Coming May 29, 2016 to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands!! ‪#‎stcroixrumfestival ‪#‎flavorofrum‪#‎STXRumFestival

The Caribbean Journal Hosts a n Evening with Damoiseau Rhums

Guests Tasting the Damoiseau Expressions

     The Rhum of the French Caribbean Island that make up Guadeloupe remain something of a mystery to the wider world unfortunately so — as they are among the best in the world.   While those of nearby Martinique receive their due praise, Guadeloupe’s rhums tend to remain under the radar, a treasured privilege reserved largely for those who make the trip to the archipelago south of Antigua.

     When it comes to the rhums of Guadeloupe, Damoiseau is perhaps the most famous.  The company is based at its distillery in the town of Le Moule on the eastern island of Grande-Terre, is the market leader in the Guadeloupe Islands. It out sells the other rhums sold in Guadeloupe two to one.

     I have been lucky enough to be invited to a tasting hosted by the Caribbean Journal at their Miami offices.  Damoiseau is presenting their White, VSOP, and XO expressions for our pleasure.  It was a fabulous experience being able to taste these wonderful expressions and being able to talk with the people from Damoiseau.

     This is an experience that I really appreciate being invited to.  I have to say thanks to Alexander Britell of the Caribbean Journal and all of the people from Damoiseau for having me there to enjoy these wonderful expressions.

     Rhum Agricole has been produced at the Bellevue Distillery since the end of the 1800’s on Guadeloupe. The Damoiseau family took over that distillery since the 1940s. Their VSOP is made from fresh, island-grown sugarcane juice.  Damoiseau VSOP Rhum Vieux Agricole  is aged a minimum of 4 years in ex-bourbon casks that have been re-charred to enhance the flavor.  VSOP has an exotic aromas of dried fruits and spices, with a long finish of charred sugarcane and peppery spice notes .

     The Damoiseau XO Rhum Vieux Agricole is aged a minimum of 6 years in ex-bourbon barrels.   Damoiseau X.O. Rhum has a unique combination of power and finesse for an aged Rhum Agricole.   A heavy oceanic character has given an opulent depth and the wood and sugarcane come together to release burnt citrus, spices and notes of tobacco.

Damoiseau Cane Rhum is created from fresh pressed sugarcane juice from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.   This is a silky smooth white rhum, distilled once and aged for 6 months in an oak vat before being  slowly lowered to bottle proof with the distilled natural spring water.   The nature of the rhum is a mix of savory aromas and tropical flavors made in the Guadeloupian style of fine Rhum Agricole.

2016 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival

     It is that time of year again, time to make your reservations and get your tickets for one of the most fun events of the year.   It is time for the 2016 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.  This year it will be starting on April 15 and running through April 17.  Get your reservations at the Doubletree by Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center, before the rooms are gon and there are a maximum number of tickets being sold for the event.

     Savvy consumers come to the Miami Rum Festival to discover a truly remarkable range of fine rums from the Caribbean region, as well as North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia -- and from the furthest reaches of the world.

     Rum producers from all over the world come to introduce new products, meet with importers and distributers, buyers and retailers, as well as consultants on the distillation, packaging and marketing of rum worldwide.

Robert and Robin Burr

     For consumers, the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is one of the world's premier international rum events, presenting a unique and exciting range of great rums to be sampled. For professionals, this is the world's largest and most important trade exposition for rum.

     Enjoy a grand three-day exhibition of the best rum brands, the excitement of the Island Lifestyle Showcase, celebrity seminars, workshops and cocktail competitions, the annual RumXP competition and awards, an opportunity to rub shoulders with dignitaries and notable experts, and more.

          Miami Rum Festival takes place in the sub-tropical wonderland of Miami at the world class Doubletree by Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center. This spacious, Miami hotel was recently renovated and is the ideal location for a large international gathering of rum experts and enthusiasts. Here you will sample the world's finest rums in the center of the rum universe.

Another Beautiful but Chilly Day at Bahia Honda

     This weeks trip to Bahia Honda was not without purpose.   In order to do more traveling out with the "camper" it needs a tender.  we bought a kayak to use a tender.  This allows us to carry it on the hardtop and can be easily gotten on and off the boat.

     When the waters get too shallow for the camper and we want to explore, we can drop the kayak into the water and we can either use the pedal system to propel it or we can paddle it.  Either way, is is the perfect craft to get to shore with.   That doesn't even count the fun of just cruising around and getting some good exercise at the same time.

      This made for a perfect day trip.  My friends Don and Patti and I got to enjoy a beautiful day on the water going up there.  The got to hang out by the beach and on the boat enjoying a cocktail waiting for the kayak to arrive.   All in all just another day of this wonderful way of living ing the Keys.  End of February an out on the water,  A bit chilly, only in the 60's, but clear and the winds had dropped off for a while making for a fun trip.

Spring Cocktail Time is Getting Close

     The end of winter is in sight finally.  Daylight savings time goes into effect this month and the
days are already starting to warm up.  This gets my mind moving to tropical breezes and deserted islands in the keys.  A place I love to bring a thermos of great fruity cocktail and an ice chest filled with ice to be able to sit and sip these wonderful tiki style libations.

     One that has come to mind is a Don the Beachcomber creation call the Sumatra Kula of "Sippin`Safari.  This is a mix of several fruit juices and some really great rums that tastes great especially in the warmth of the sum

Sumatra Kula

• 1 ½ oz. Smith and Cross Rum
• 1 oz.  Damoiseau VSOP  Rhum Vieux Agricole
• ½ oz.  Fresh Lime Juice
• ½ oz.  Grapefruit Juice
• ½  oz. Orange Juice
• ½ oz.  Honey-mix
• 3 Oz. Crushed Ice

Put everything in blender, saving ice for last, blend at high speed for no more than 5 sec.   Pour into a tiki mug and add crushed ice to fill. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Honey Mix Recipe

Equal parts honey and water, warm up to mix, let cool and bottle, keeps in the Ice box for about a week.