Fishing Anyone?

     The mangroves of the Florida Keys are always willing to unveil new adventures and sights every time you visit them.  These days in the kayak we are able to quietly arrive upon sightings of wildlife going about their everyday lives.  This is really exciting for us and happens more and more often.  It isn't very often that you get the opportunity to catch an Egret stabbing at a fish, but I was lucky enough to catch this one.  Enjoy the vision that I had as I cruised through these fascinating Eco Systems of the Keys.

Only Three Days Left to Attend The 2017 Miami Boat Show Presented by Progressive Insurance

     2017 Miami Boat Show is underway on Virginia Key at the Historic Marine Stadium.  The show is filled with everything marine and necessary to maintain your nautical life.  There has been a greatly improved control of the traffic on the Rickenbacker Causeway allowing you to get to and from the show quicker and with a lot less stress that the previous year.   My personal recommendation is to park at the American Airlines Arena and take the Water Taxi (if you already have bought you tickets on line) to and from the show.  It is a very relaxing ride through the port of Miami to the show and the arena gets you back onto the freeway without dealing with the city traffic.

     Once at the show, you will be walking for hours upon hours to see all the booths in the tents and several more at the exhibits in the water across from the historic Marine Stadium.   If you are looking for boats, engines, electronics, marine furniture, flooring, accessories or just ideas to update the boat you have, this is the place to be.  

     We spent a lot of the day in the B, C, and D tents and on the docks.  There is so much to see, collecting brochures and talking to the people that make the pieces.  I’ve been attending this show in Miami for many years, this year is one of the best all round experience that I have ever had there.   The shuttles, parking, water taxis, and the content of the show itself made for a great experience.  The show runs through Sunday, so if you haven’t thought about going and you have an interest in anything nautical, get on line get your tickets, parking and head on out to the show. 

     Tickets and the parking can be purchased online at http://www.miamiboatshow.com/tickets-and-parking .  You cannot take the water taxi to the show if you don’t already have your tickets to the show and the ticket lines on site can take quite a bit of time.  Having all of your tickets when you arrive will save you a lot of time and add to your enjoyment of the show once you get there. 

Bahama Bob’s French Riviera Cocktail

        A nice cocktail for the evening that offers a warmth with a interesting variety of flavor is what the         evening is calling for.   Here is a little cocktail that is quite easy to make that will take the edge off fo the     day and leave you feeling warm inside.

     Bahama Bob’s French Riviera

 

• ¾ oz. Plantation Barbados Grande Reserve

• ¾ oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao

• ¾ oz.  Rouge Vermouth

• ¼ oz. Licor 43

• 2 dashes Fee Brothers Old Fashion Bitters

• 2 dashes Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters

     Shake all ingredients with ice. Then strain into an ice-filled glass.   Garnish with a lemon.

Rum Craft Distilling Growing Fast Across the United States

     Recent changes to state laws have made it cheaper and easier for small upstarts to open distilleries, sparking the appearance of local craft spirit makers.  Many states have introduced Distillery Laws that greatly reduced licensing fees and allowed distillers to sell spirits directly to consumers on site in their showrooms by the glass and by the bottle.   That gives distilleries the ability to open tasting rooms, which attract customers and tourists, and help increase sales.   Changes to state laws also have made it easier for small upstarts to get into the distilling business, allowing them to source more than half of their raw materials from their local areas.

     The Fed is also involved, but once you get your license to operate the still the state governments are seeing the potential for tax revenues and are making it easier to get their operations up and running and start selling the spirits.  In the past, It has been very cost.   The results of these laws is that America has gotten hundreds of new craft distilleries opening all over the country.

     New laws that are going through the state legislature here in Florida are looking to make the tourist side of the craft spirit grow by allowing the distilleries to sell to the customers more than one bottle a year that they have been saddled with for many years.  These changes are drawing more companies to give the distilling business a try.  The changes in Florida laws are happening in New York, South Carolina and many other states.  It is really exciting to see all the new rum offerings that have entered the Miami Rum Festival in April.  There are over 100 American made rums being shown.

     This is an exciting prospect to have America be a major rum producer and from what I’ve seen of the rums being produced here the basics are here and with time for the rums to age, there will be some really nice rums available from right here in the states.

Falernum is Back

      On a visit to Barbados about seven years ago, there I was introduced to a very unique liqueur called Falernum.  They make a really good cocktail there called a Corn ‘n Oil in which the John D. Taylor Velvet Falernum is the primary ingredient.  I also found out on the same trip that it is made at Foursquare Distillery there on Barbados.

     John D Taylor Velvet Falernum is a longtime staple item of resorts and bars in Barbados, and today for its use in Tropical, Tiki and Caribbean drinks such as the Rum Swizzle, Mai Tai, Zombie, and the Corn n' Oil.   It is made from an infusion of spices and lime juice into sugar cane syrup and Barbados Rum.

     Falernum was at the center of many of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vics’ popular cocktails of the era.   Falernum is a classic for your classic Tiki and other Caribbean cocktails.   Falernum is either a non-alcoholic syrup or a liqueur based around white rum.   Almond, clove and lime zest, with other possible flavors of allspice, ginger or vanilla are added to the rum to create this unique flavor.   Falernum is one of those mixers that fit into so many different cocktails and brings them to life with the extra depth it adds.

     For those looking for the flavor of falernum without the alcohol, Fee Brothers makes a very good Falernum syrup.  The other alternative is to make it yourself.  There are a lot of recipes out there to create this in your own kitchen.  Below is the recipe that I have played with and like very much.

     Traditionally, falernum is used with rum, tiki driven or swizzle style cocktails.   Falernum adds a spicy sweetness that will overcome the citrus acetic, dryness or sourness of many cocktails.   Falernum can be used with other spirits addition to rum, it does very well, especially dark spirits like rye, brandy, and scotch.   This is one mixer that you have to be careful with and not use too much of it, as it can over power the cocktail very easily.

Bahama Bob’s Falernum Recipe

• 1/3 cup Sliced, Raw Almonds
• 30 whole Cloves
• 1/8 cup of fresh chopped Ginger
• 1/2 cup of Doorly’s White Rum or other quality white rum
• 8 Limes
• 2/3 cup of Water
• 1/2 cup of Sugar in the Raw

Preheat the oven to 400°F and toast the almonds on a cookie sheet until slightly darkened and fragrant, about five minutes. Be careful not to let them burn. Let cool before using.

Place the almonds and cloves in a closeing glass jar and pour in the rum.  Shake and let steep 24 hours days.

Zest the limes, being sure no white pith is included. Set aside four of the limes for use in the rest of this recipe, and reserve the rest for another project. Add lime zest to the jar. At this point you can also add other spices, if desired. Shake and let steep for 1 day, and then strain through cheesecloth, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.

Juice four of the limes, and strain the juice into a sauce pot. Add water and sugar, then bring to a boil on medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let syrup cool, then combine with the strained almond and clove infusion. Strain mixture through a coffee filter, if desired, then let it rest for an additional 12 hours before use.

Happy St. Valentine's Day Cocktail

           Where we get Valentines day is an interesting story, there are many stories that began  with the execution of St. Valentine on February 14, 278 A.D.  St. Valentine was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested      and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who          were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome.

     No matter were the holiday came from, today is the day that we offer up something to the love of our life.  St. Valentines Day is today and if you haven't got your special cocktail for your special evening yet, here is one you might want to try..  In my mind, women seem to like two things chocolate and fresh fruit cocktails.   

     Bahama Bob’s Valentine's Day Cocktail

• 1 oz.  Selvarey Cocoa
• 1½ oz.  Matusalem Platino Rum
• 4 oz. Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

     Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake until chilled and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish     

     with 2 fresh Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.

Rum and Karaoke Tomorrow at The Rum Barrel

     Don't miss the premier of  Gary O'Key with Gary Woods and a Rum Experience with Bahama Bob Leonard on Tuesday 14th of February from 11 am til 2 pm on the Quarter Deck of The Rum Barrel on Front Street in Key West.

     For all of you arriving on the cruise ships, locals with time to enjoy or working at night and missing all of the Karaoke fun.  Gary Woods is one of the best known karaoke emcees on the island.  He carries 130,000 songs with him to keep everyone singing all morning long.

    We will be spending some time helping you become better acquainted with rum during the 15 minute breaks while Gary takes a pause for the cause.  There will be a it of sampling, and learning happening each time.  The Rum Barrel has a great selection to choose from and the bar will be there running wide open for your spirits needs.

   This will be happening on the second of Tuesday each month, so if you miss the first one, there will be another next month.  Looking forward to getting together with all of you tomorrow.

"Don't Try to Describe the Water if You Never Seen It"

     There is no way to describe the waters of the Caribbean Skies and  Ocean.  It is different in every part of  it you visit.  The blues are of so many hues and shades that only a picture can show you, but it still can't compare to seeing it in person.

Virgin Holiday's New Data Distilled Rum: What a Concept

     Virgin Holidays created the “world’s first data-distilled rum” by using a super computer to analyze more than 15 million social media posts and produce a recipe that “tastes like a holiday”.   Virgin came up with the recipe for ‘Holiday Spirit’ by programming IBM’s cognitive computing platform ‘Watson’ to analyze feelings expressed online by more than 15 million holidaymakers.   The emotions identified were matched to thousands of rum flavor descriptors by global rum ambassador Ian Burrell, and used to build a rum which was then bottled at 40% abv.

     “The Virgin Holiday Spirit has a subtle vanilla flavor, medium sweetness, hints of coconut and is naturally caressed with cinnamon and allspice,” according to Ian Burrell .   “It was my first time collaborating with a super computer to create a distinct blend, so we ensured a high level of quality control to deliver a premium palette experience. Tough job but someone has to do it.”

Ian Burrell

     The most predominant positive emotions captured in the posts were happy, excited, curious, adventurous and relaxed, matched against vanilla, sugarcane, cinnamon, allspice and coconut flavors respectively.   Dave Geer, interim managing director at Virgin Holidays, said: “We’ve long been known for creating the ‘perfect blend’ when it comes to holidays, so we set ourselves the task of translating this into something tangible.

     “Bottling the holiday spirit, and creating a blend informed by joy, excitement, curiosity and confidence perfectly encapsulates the Virgin Holidays experience.”   The only problem is that they are only available in the UK.  This is a very interesting approach to making rum, but it makes sense, creating flavors that fit the people that are looking to buy them, it makes a lot of sense.

Bringing Back a Variation of the Sour

     Spring and warm weather is promised in about five weeks, so time to look at the cocktails for the patio after work and on the weekends.  Sour Mix is a critical mix for many spring and summer cocktails, it adds such a refreshing touch to many cocktails.  One of the simplest one is a sour.  Rum is one of the best spirits from which to create a good sour.

     Take this simple combination of my sour mix and Papa's Pilar Dark Rum to make youself flavorful and refreshing cocktail for the patio or aft deck of the boat.  If you cant wait, just build a nice fire in the fireplace and enjjoy.

Bahama Bob’s Rum Sour

• 3 oz. Pilar Dark Rum
• 1 oz. Bahama Bob’s Sour Mix

Place all ingredients in a shake filled with ice and shake until chilled, strain into a sour or cocktail glass filled with fresh ice.  Garnish with a cherry or nothing at all.

Bahama Bob’s Sour Mix

• ½ cup Water
• ½ cup Sugar in the Raw or honey can be substituted to make a hone sour mix
• 4 oz. Lemon Juice
• 2 oz.  Lime Juice

Place water in a suitable pan and heat to boiling point.  Add sugar and stir until all sugar is dissolved, lower heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.   Add lemon and lime juice, stir and allow to cool to room temperature. Put into a dispensing bottle and put into the refrigerator.  Ready to use when cooled.

Many Caribbean Rums are so Strong Travelers Are Banned from Bringing Home Some of These Expressions

      The powerful River Antoine Distillery Rum has been a favorite brew on the island of Grenada since 1785.  This wonderful rum is made from fresh sugar cane pressed in the water wheel driven press out behind the distillery.  The rum is distilled in wood fire heated double thumper pot stills.       Production of the crystal-clear brew dates to 1785 and production is powered by a waterwheel - brought over at that time when the British were in control of the island and still producing rum today.

River Antoine Water Wheel

    It's the oldest working waterwheel in the Caribbean and, possibly, the world. The distillation process begins with raw sugar cane, crushed so that the sugary juice can then be left to ferment in huge vats.   It’s then transferred to a giant copper still, and heated over a wooden fire so the liquid boils and then condenses before being drawn off to create a rum that is, staggeringly, up to 89 per cent alcohol by volume.

River High Proof Rums

    But it packs a punch so powerful, the authorities say it’s simply too strong to travel.  This is because of the highly flammable nature of the liquid the airlines require Hazardous Material papers to transport.   Airline regulations mean the famous bottles of rum breach regulations which state that alcohol levels of over 70 per cent ABV are a danger of catching fire should the bottle brake.

Legal to Travel Overproof Rums

     This is not only a problem leaving from Grenada.  Any bottle of rum over 140 proof has the same issue.  There are a lot of 120 to 130 proof rums out there that can legally travel back home with you without the danger of highly flammable spirits.  Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Trinidad, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Panama, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Haiti and others all produce overproof rums in the safe to travel range. Most of the time the extra strong rums are for dares rather than regular cocktails, Moonshine is what they are approaching in strength.

Don't Miss the 2017 Miami Boat Show Presented by Progressive Insurance

     You need to be in Miami for the 2017 Miami Boat Show brought to you by Progressive Insurance.   The place to be over President’s Day weekend as more than 100,000 boating enthusiasts from around the globe are expected to flock to the Progressive® Insurance Miami International Boat Show®. Recognized as one of the world’s largest and greatest boat shows, 2017 marks the show’s second year at the iconic Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin, where they will unveil several new elements, including more boats, more yachts, and a new VIP experience.

     Really important, get your tickets on line in advance of arriving at the show.  This will keep you out of the long lines and allow you to ride the water taxi to the show.  Tickets and reserve parking are available at http://www.miamiboatshow.com/tickets-and-parking .

     This is always a great show for those that have a love for the world of boating and a lot of interesting other offerings.  I always fine something new there for my boats and a chance to see what is new for those in the marine environment, Navionics, motors, accessories and new boats.  A highlight of the 2017 show is an enhanced food & beverage program from Great Performances

     Come to the show by land or sea! Due to the popularity of park-and-ride in 2016 – an estimated 80 percent of attendees parked at designated off site locations and traveled to the show via shuttle bus or water taxi – the Miami Boat Show has improved transportation with even more efficiency.        Water Taxis, Shuttle Buses, Miami-Dade Transit, Parking can get you to the show very efficiently.

Show Layout Map

Two New Premium Expressions from Diplomatico Join Flagship Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

    Venezuelan rum producer DUSA maker of the Diplomático brand is launching two new premium expressions. Mantuano and Planas which are aged for up to eight years and up to six years respectively.   These expressions will be joining Diplomático’s “Tradition Range”, including the brand’s flagship Reserva Exclusiva,  a sipping rum aged in small oak casks for up to 12 years.

Diplomatico Planas

     Planas, bottled at 47% abv is a blended white rum distilled in pot stills creating a rare high quality sipping white rum profile.   The named comes from the Planas Valley, Venezuela where the Diplomático distillery is located.

Diplomatico Mantuano

     Mantuana, bottled at 40% abv the names translates to local man and inspired by Don Juancho Nieto Meléndez, the 19th century character that was the inspiration for the creation of Diplomático.   This is a  blended rum aged in white oak casks that previously rested Bourbon and malt whiskey.  The expression blends column still, batch kettle and pot still distillates that were created from the fermentation of sugar cane molasses and honey.

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

     Mantuano and Planas both have similar bottle designs to Reserva Exclusiva, featuring the image of Don Juancho Nieto Meléndez on their labels.   “We are very excited to release the new Diplomático Tradition Range, which reflects the brand’s premium positioning and incomparable taste profile,” said José Rafael Ballesteros Meléndez, CEO Diplomático Rum. “It is very important for us to continue to innovate and to contribute to the premiumisation of the rum category.”

Skinny Power Rum Cocktail

     I had an idea to create a skinny cocktail with a punch.  My friend Nicholas Feris who represents Rum Fire, the Jamaican overproof white rum from the distillery of Hampden Estate.  This is a very nice overproof pot still Jamaican style rum.  Jamaicans are known for their overproof white rums, the ones that are in most of the everyday cocktails on the island.

     My idea for this cocktail is to give those trying to cut out some of the calories of those sweet cocktails.  This is a dry cocktail with a real kick to it.  The full bold flavor of the pot stilled Rum Fire Rum enhances this Skinny Power Cocktail pop.  I hope you give this one a try, I know it fits my palate well.

Bahama Bob's Skinny Power

• 1 1/2 oz. Rum Fire Overproof Rum
• 1 oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• Top Off with Zero Vitamin Water Lemonade
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

Place all ingredients in a tumbler filled with ice and stir.  Garnish with a lemon wheel

The Art of the Sea

     Beautiful clear water, sunlight and the natural interaction of the species provides some of the best art there is.  I love to see things like this as I cruise around the waters of the Cayman Islands.  Last Sunday provided me with such a fabulous series of pictures of life just below the surface of the crystal clear water and the stunning white sandy bottom.

Enjoy Those Cocktails on Vacation They May be Preventing Food Poisoning

     Having spent many days throughout the Caribbean and other countries, I have been fortunate never to have gotten any kind of food poisoning.  I attribute it to the fact that I don’t travel without the aid of a good rum.  I don’t know how true this really is, but for me I have to agree with the good doctor, one for me and one for the stomach.  Works for me.

Dr. Richard Conroy

     Experts have said that properties in wine could help prevent getting a stomach bug.   Here’s one excuse to enjoy a boozy holiday abroad with experts saying drinking alcohol could protect you from a crippling bout of food poisoning.   With the peak vacation time at hand, food scientists have advised drinking alcohol could help protect holiday makers from potentially fatal bugs like E.coli and salmonella.   Richard Conroy, world-leading food scientist and founder of vacation illness compensation firm SickHoliday.com, said, "Whenever you go on holiday abroad, particularly on all-inclusive trips, you run the gauntlet of the restaurants and buffet bars.   "They can often be breeding grounds for food-borne pathogens like salmonella, E.coli, Listeria, and even Cholera.  "But the good news is that wine, beer, gin and other alcohols have been found to be great at pathogen prevention."

     He said that alcohol concentrations attacked the bacteria itself, killing any bugs while the acid secretions after drinking could help to neutralize anything nasty lurking in your stomach which might make you ill.   "It really is case of, 'One for me, one for my stomach'."

Read More at https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2770521/alcohol-travel-food-poisoning/

From Fermented Rice to Mind Altering Corn Beer Researchers Reveal the 9,000 Year Old History of Humans and Alcohol

     I ran across this article the other day and found it to be quite interesting.  Alcohol consumption is not a new thing and I find it very interesting where the early forms of alcoholic beverages originated.  I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

     The earliest proof of an alcoholic beverage dates back to China 9,000 years ago.   It was a mixed drink of fermented rice, honey, hawthorn fruit and/or grape.  Our primate ancestors first started consuming alcohol via fermented fruit.   Humans have evolved to consume alcohol and we even have a gene that makes it possible for us to digest it faster. 

     Researchers have found that humans have had a long history of consuming alcohol - with the earliest proof of an alcoholic beverage dating back to Northern China 9,000 years ago.   The 'cocktail' was a mixed drink of fermented rice, honey, hawthorn fruit and/or grape.

     A feature in the February issue of the National Geographic magazine traces back the history of alcohol consumption, revealing we even have a gene that makes it possible to digest alcohol faster.  Throughout history, the consumption of alcohol may have helped people become more creative, advancing the development of language, art and religion.   This is because alcohol lowers inhibitions and makes people feel more spiritual.   Even the Inca consumed alcohol in the form of chicha - a corn based beer mixed with strawberries that's still consumed today - although the Inca often used mind-altering herbs instead of strawberries.

     All alcoholic drinks are made by yeasts - tiny single-celled life forms that consume sugar and break it down into carbon dioxide and ethanol.   Ethanol is the only type of alcoholic compound that is drinkable - other types, like methanol, are found in windshield washing fluids and de-icers for cars.   There are many different types of yeast, and they've probably been fermenting fruit for 120 million years - when fruits first arose on Earth.

     Many human enjoy drinking alcohol because it makes us feel good - it releases serotonin and dopamine in the brain which reduces anxiety and make us feel happy.   The alcohol smelled strong, which helped them find fruit more easily.  Dr Robert Dudley, a physiologist at the University of California, Berkeley, told National Geographic that he call this the 'drunken monkey' hypothesis.   He said: 'If you can smell the alcohol and get to the fruit faster, you have an advantage.'   'You defeat the competition and get more calories,' he said.   He explains that the apes who ate the most were most likely to succeed at reproducing and even experience a slight rush of pleasure in the brain.  Alcohol also has antiseptic properties - deterring infectious microbes that may have made the primates sick.   It can also makes fruit easier to digest, so animals could eat more of them.   Our ape ancestors eventually started eating fermented fruit, and this helped humans adapt to drinking alcohol. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4162222/The-9-000-year-old-history-humans-alcohol.html#ixzz4XAQpE0Gq

Bahama Bob's Rumstyles named #4 Best Rum Blog in the World

I wish to thank all of the people out there who have so faithfully been reading Bahama Bob's Rumstyles for all of these years.  This is an honor that I have to say really warms my heart.  Thanks to "Feedspot" for their work putting the list together and honoring my blog with this award.  

   The ”Feedspot” sends congratulations to every blogger that has made this Top Rum blogs list! This is the most comprehensive list of best Rum blogs on the internet and we are honored to have you all of you bloggers as part of this!   I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world.

 1.   Reddit Rum:    Post just about anything rum related.

 2.   Rum Therapy:    Let Rum Therapy help you to plan your next island vacation. With personal travel photos and rum inspired resort wear, because everyone needs a little rum therapy.

 3.   Floating Rum Shack:    The Floating Rum Shack represents the modern face of in-depth rum resource.

4.    Bahama Bob’s Rumstyles:   This is a blog that will take you through the Rum lifestyles of a fine group of people that enjoy the fun and pleasure of fine rums. We will travel to distilleries, partys, and Rum Events to bring you the Rumstyles of all those we come in contact with.

 5.   Rob’s Rum Guide:   Your guide to the world's finest rums. Robs Rum Guide is a rum blog for serious rum enthusiasts.

 6.   Rum Diaries Blog:   The Ramblings of a Rum Drinker.

 7.   Rum Corner:   A blog about rum - here there be rum reviews, rum thoughts, rum links, pirates and grog.

8.   5 Minutes of Rum:   Having plunged headfirst into rum (and tiki drinks in particular) in 2009, Kevin Upthegrove has created a space to share rum-related information while at the same time learning how to podcast.

 9.   The Rum Collective:   The Rum Collective's purpose is to assimilate others on its mission to enhance awareness of and develop appreciation for r(h)um, from the still to the cocktail, in Seattle and beyond...

 10.  Rick the Rum Runner:   Take a Journey to discover the world of US made craft distilled rum. Join me on my quest and perhaps find a new mellow drink to call your own.... Relax, sip and read.

    Congratulations to all of the hard working bloggers that have contributed so much to the furtherment of the causes of rum.   I'm proud to be one of you. 

Gary Woods and Bahama Bob Present Rum and Karaoke at the Rum Barrel

Bahama Bob and Gary Woods

     Starting on Valentine's Day, Gary Woods and Bahama Bob Leonard are teaming up to bring you three hours of Rum and Karaoke.  This is the perfect blend of music and spirits, made for those that cant make it to Karaoke and Rumology in the evenings.

     What makes this such a unique happening is that Gary and I will be starting at 11 in the morning and running to 2 in the afternoon.  Perfect if you are arriving on a cruise ship, work at night or just love karaoke and rum during the day.  This will be the only daytime show of its kind in Key West.  We will be holding this event on the second Tuesday of each month on the Quarterdeck of the Rum Barrel, from 11am until 2 pm.

     Gary is one of the premier hosts of karaoke and offers some 130,000 songs for you to choose from.  He has really great equipment to make you sound your best and have just a ton of fun with us each month.   During his breaks there will be an opportunity to learn more about rum and maybe even have the chance to sample a special one.

     You don't have to be a singer to come by and enjoy the event with us, the Rum Barrel Quarterdeck Bar will be there to take care of all of your libations and a fun lunch at the same time.

Yves Assier de Pompignan Opens New Martinique Distillery

Yves Assier de Pompignan 

     “I always dreamed of making rums,” Yves Assier de Pompignan tells me, walking through the waving stalks of a sugarcane field.

     Martinique is an island where there are more rum distilleries than anywhere else on earth, creating a new one is a tall order, especially when most brands have centuries of heritage.   That’s what makes the product of these dreams so rare, Assier de Pompignan has accomplished the remarkable here in Martinique on a small, centuries-old sugar estate that was the home of the former governor of Martinique and the rum is called A1710.

     Assier de Pompignan has taken a small property in southeastern Martinique and created the island’s newest working rum distillery.   It took three years of jumping through hoops, planning and plotting, but a life-long dream has become a reality.

     The challenge for any new rum brand, particularly in a place like Martinique, is the aged variety.   White rum can be produced in a few months, but an aged variety of quality needs years.   A1710, named for the year his family first came to Martinique, has initially released three expressions that are special blends of rums from both Martinique and Guadeloupe, using significantly aged rums, some as old as 17 years, to create what is a truly French Caribbean rum.  The result is splendid, with rich, complex flavors with all of the texture you expect from a great French rum.

     The white rum is the heart of this story, produced beginning last July right on the Habitation, and soon to hit the shelves in Martinique.   This rum, produced using a rebuilt former Cognac “Charentais” still, converted into a hybrid column-pot still that produces the only pot-still white rum in all of Martinique.

The White Rum is a bold, sweet, vegetal with a wonderfully earthy taste; while Yves is humble, it’s clear he knows how good it already is.   Some of the white rum, about a third, will be hidden away in bourbon barrels for long-term aging.  It will be a few years before the aged expressions will come from the new distillery, but I’m sure that they will be wonderful.

Read More at http://www.caribjournal.com/2017/01/13/rum-journal-martinique-new-rum-born/

The Taste of Cayman, Realy Fun Event

Taste of Cayman Festival Fiels with about half of the Tents Visible

     The Taste of Cayman, held in Camana Bay on Saturday was a lot of fun and a chance to share a lot of the culture of the Cayman Islands.   The event was all about the food, spirits and the people, This made for some very warm adventures and a chance to get to know many new people herein the Caymans.

2017 Seven Fathoms Cocktail Competition Panel of Judges

     The Seven Fathoms Cocktail Competition was a really great event, it gave seven first class bartenders an opportunity to show their talents on stage and to the judges as they presented their works of art and mixology.   It was such a great group of bartenders entered from the Cayman Islands and the two winners from the United States as well.  The competition was very close both in the primary heats and the final.  The winner, Sabrina Kudic from Chicago produced two wonderful expressions that really brought her talent to the forefront.  Her Overnight, a

Sabrina Kudic, 2017 Champion

variation of the classic cocktail Air Mail, had a nice balance to it and very flavorful without being overly sweet or tart.  The final cocktail, Star Shine, made with the secret ingredient star fruit, was again well thought out and by muddling the star fruit into the mix, gave the finished product a very unique and enjoyable flavor.  The final came down to a 1 point split between first and second which was a real good indication of how good their expressions really were.

   The creativity of the bartenders in their use of syrups and flavorings that were created by the individual bartenders was very impressive.  The use of the liqueurs make the cocktails more flavorful and uniquely complex was well handled.   What made the best cocktails great was the use of these additives in such a way as to not bury the flavor of the rum.  To often mixologist will often use too many and to much of these additives and the rum's flavor is lost in the mix.  I know that I use a quality rum in my own creations because I enjoy the flavor of the chosen rum and what is added is purely to enhance the rum's flavor, not to cloud or cover it up.

Swanky Girls, Swanky is where you et those great costumes

     The festival was filled with wonderful food and drink provide by the many fine restaurants and bars around the island.  It was a total experience of Cayman Food and their wonderful cocktail culture.  This is an event that I look forward to returning to next year, it is a lot of fun and very filling.  Plus if there are any beautiful women around I am going to find them.  I just love my life.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

     Today we relaxed until it was time to head to Camana Bay and the Taste of Cayman.  It was so relaxing to walk out to the end of the dock and just look all around.  The view of the Resort from the chairs at the end of the dock was great.  I love this image.