Damn Those Traffic Jams

Port au Prince Morning Heading to Work

     Sometimes I find myself complaining about the traffic here in Key West, but a trip to Haiti a few years back reminds me of what over crowding and traffic problems really are.  Even Miami can't compare with the issues facing the city of Port au Prince in Haiti.  In many places the cars can't move because there are so many people filling the street.  It is more of a people jam rather than a traffic jam.  Port au Prince has one of the highest population densities in the world.

     When I get frustrated by what happens here when there is an event in town is nothing compared to what the people of Port au Prince have to deal with every day.

Port au Prince from Above

Campari & Yolo 10 Year Old Rum, "Works for Me"

     This is a good summer bitter/sweet cocktail that will go along good with your afternoons by to pool or out on the boat.  For me, this is a great early evening aft deck cocktail for the summer months.  It is refreshing and not too sweet yet not bitter either.

     The characteristics of the Yolo 10 year rum and those of the Campari marry well, with just a touch of sweetness from the Orgeat.  Give this one a try, I think that you will find it very satisfying.



Bahama Bob's Bitter/Sweet Delight

• 1 1/2 oz. Yolo 10 Year Old Rum
• 1/2 oz. Campari
• 3/4 oz. Orgeat
• Juice of 1/2 Lime

Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Spirits Industry Welcomes NFL Lifting Spirits Ad Ban

     The US National Football League’s (NFL) decision to allow adverts for hard liquor is “welcome news”, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.   Last week, the American football league changed its advertising policy and will now allow its TV partners to air spirits commercials.  Adverts will last no longer than 30 seconds, must include a “prominent” social responsibility message, and cannot target underage drinkers.  Television networks will only be allowed to broadcast four ads per game, and will be limited to two per quarter or during half time.  It will be the first time spirits producers will be given access to game time advertising spots in what has otherwise been an almost exclusively beer-dominated arena.

     While the move is a “one-season test” for 2017, it is expected to become permanent, a report in The Wall Street Journal.  “This is welcomed news but not too surprising given spirits companies have partnered with individual NFL teams, and other major professional sports leagues began accepting spirits advertising more than a decade ago,” Distilled Spirits Council President & CEO Kraig R. Naasz said.   “Adult fans realize alcohol is alcohol, and our responsible spirits sports marketing has been met with broad public acceptance.”

Several spirits brands already sponsor or back NFL teams.    

     Big beer dominates alcohol advertising and sponsorship in the NFL. AB InBev, especially with its Bud Light brand, is the league’s official beer sponsor and partner of the majority of the teams, while Miller/Coors is also a key advertiser.   One concession to the inclusion of spirits advertising during games is that the brewers will now be able to advertise their ‘flavored malt beverages’ for the first time – products such as Bud Light’s ‘Lime-A-Rita’ – but they will also be governed by the rules that cover spirits.      So far there does not appear to be any indication that any of the drinks giants has been chosen as an ‘official partner of the NFL’, presumably leaving the way clear for the likes of Pernod Ricard, Diageo, Bacardi and Beam Suntory to jockey for position.  Advertising in the NFL does not come cheaply, a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl now costs over US$5 million.  The companies in question are not tight for money, all of them command multi-billions worth of portfolios, spirits consumption is growing in the US and as the NFL is the most-watched pro-sport in the US and with growing following around the world.   The UK, Germany, Australia and Mexico in particular – one can be sure the opportunity hasn’t passed the big spirits producers.

A New Look for Chairman’s Reserve

     St. Lucia Distillers under the new ownership of Group Bernard Hayot is unveiling new packaging for its flagship export rum brand, Chairman’s Reserve.  The new look is coordinated with the scheduled relaunch of the brand in the United States in July of 2017.  

    A unique blend of aged rums blended that originated from pot and column stills, Chairman’s Reserve “is the meaning of enjoying the fine life to St. Lucians, according to the company.   “The juice in the bottle speaks for itself,” said Benjamin Jones, director of North America for the brand. “Chairman’s Reserve has always been recognized among the finest rums in the world, and now with an elegant refreshed look, Chairman’s Reserve will return the spotlight to St. Lucia as an island with a rich and an original legacy for producing world-class rum.”

     Chairman’s contracted the services of an international designer, well known for their work with other brands in the spirits industry.   While revamping the look of the brand, the new labels are still recognizable by the current Chairman’s Reserve’s rum enthusiast of the rum community.  The new label will lead the brand toward the embodiment of the “true essence” of St. Lucia and compete more effectively at the international level in the premium rum category and against all premium aged spirits.   St. Lucia Distillers will re-label “1931” as a limited reserve expression in the Chairman’s portfolio, as “Chairman’s Reserve 1931” as well.

A Rum Sidecar

     I was looking for a classy premium rum cocktail last night.  It finally hit me that a sidecar was a really nice cognac cocktail that could be reworked with some rum and be right for what I was looking for.

     The Sidecar is a cocktail that has its origins to  an American Army captain in Paris during World War I and named after the motorcycle sidecar that the captain rode.  Original recipe called for equal parts of Cognac, Cointreau and Lemon Juice, today this is known as "French School".

Bahama Bob's Rum Sidecar

• 1½ Oz. Doorly’s XO Rum
• 1 ½ Oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• Juice of ½ Lemon
• Dash of Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker, strain and serve in a chilled Roly Poly Rocks Glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Goslings Rum Rolls Out First TV Ad

     Gosling-Castle Partners have unveiled the first television advertisement for its Goslings Rum brand, in honor of the 35th America’s Cup sailing event in Bermuda.   The advertisement stars Malcolm Gosling, 7th generation president and CEO of Gosling-Castle Partners, and depicts him strolling among rows of barrels.   The Ad cuts back and forth between his quiet footsteps and the loud chaos of the America’s Cup racing action..

      Malcolm Gosling said, “I said, if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it first class”. “We put a world of care into our products; we need that to come through in the look and feel of this television commercial.”  The advertisement will be screened at the 35th America’s Cup during the races and on the NBC and NBCSN networks televised coverage of the grand event.   Two additional television commercials were shot and produced featuring Goslings Rum, the trademarked Dark ‘n Stormy Cocktail and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer.

Senators Begin a New Fight To End Cuba Embargo

      The long-running legislative effort to liberalize U.S.-Cuba trade began anew as a bipartisan group of 14 senators introduced a bill to lift the Cold War-era embargo on the island nation.  The latest iteration of the embargo repeal effort was Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who urged to finish the job begun by former President Barack Obama.   "This bipartisan legislation would benefit the people of both our countries by boosting American exports and creating opportunity for the Cuban people," according to Amy Klobuchar. "We need to turn the page on the failed policy of isolation and build on the progress we have made to open up engagement with Cuba by ending the embargo once and for all." 

     "While there are no guarantees, engaging with Cuba economically is more likely to nudge Cuba toward democracy than a half century of trying to isolate the island," It's long past time we move ahead."   Unfortunately, it remains highly unlikely that the bill will pass as introduced, given how divisive the issue of Cuba trade still is.   This bill will certainly function as a test for the new Congress and for the administration.  

John F. Kennedy signing the Cuban Quarantine in October, 1962

     Among the strongest supporters for freeing up U.S.-Cuba trade is the powerful U.S. farm lobby, which has consistently argued that Cuba imports up to 80 percent of its food at a price of roughly $2 billion a year and the United States is a natural export market because it is only 90 miles from Cuban shores.   Although the farm lobby has not been enough to generate legislative movement in the past.

     I feel that this quarantine that has been in effect since October 23, 1962 is lifted.   It will be interesting to follow this piece of legislation to see how the atmosphere in this senate.

Florida Keys Tidal Pools

     Kayaking around the keys has brought us up close and personal with a lot of these tidal pools.   The marine life that calls these beautiful pools is amazing and always introduces me to something new and interesting.   Spend a little time around them no matter what ocean is near you will be amazed what you can see at low tide.

Bahama Bob's Summer Cooler

     Here is an idea for a great summer evening cooler that is really creamy and flavorful.  Give this one a try, you're going to love it.

Bahama Bob’s Summer Cooler

• 1 ½ Oz. Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum
• 1 ½ Oz. CoffeeMate Cinnamon
• 1 ½ Oz. Vita Coco Lime Coconut Water
• 1 ¼ Oz. Cinnamon Syrup
• Juice of ½ Lime
• ½ Oz. Pineapple Juice

 Combine Place all ingredients except the rum into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Float the rum on top Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg and an orange zest.

 Bob Bahama's Cinnamon Syrup

• 1 Cup of Water
• 1 Cup of Demerara Raw Sugar
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 Teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract 

Place a saucepan over high heat, combine water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks.  Stir continuously until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat to a slow boil and stir for another 5 minutes until syrup thickens.

Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. After cooling, strain the syrup to a clean dispenser.  Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Bacardi and Jillionaire Announce Major Lazer Limited Edition Rum

Major Lazer

     The latest part of the “Sound of Rum Campaign”, Bacardi has created this limited edition rum in collaboration with Trinidadian DJ and music producer Jillionaire, who has been appointed as Bacardi’s ‘minister of rum’.  Bacardi has forged a relationship with the American electronic music trio Major Lazer that launched an experiential campaign featuring multimedia events, music offerings and rum releases.

     Major Lazer took a trip to the Bacardi distillery in Puerto Rico, where they worked alongside Maestro de Ron Manny Oliver to develop three different blends – one of which later became Bacardi’s latest Major Lazer Limited Edition.

Unveiled in Berlin at the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition, the liquid is a blend of light and dark rums aged between three and four years, offering notes of tropical fruit, cedar, almonds and vanilla. 

Major Lazer Rum

Speaking of Major Lazer’s visit to the Bacardi distillery, the brand’s global advocacy director Jacob Briars said: “There are lots of people who are fascinated by the process of making spirits, but Jillionaire was passionate about it”.   At the same time as debuting the new expression, Briars announced Jillionaire as Bacardi’s ‘minister of rum’ – someone who “shares the brand’s unique passion and spirit to help revolutionize the rum category”. “I’m truly passionate about rum, its craft and its Caribbean heritage. I grew up in Trinidad, where rum is a big part of the culture, and I worked in bars for many years learning how to master the perfect rum cocktail,” said Jillionaire.   “As minister of rum at Bacardi, I hope to further deepen Bacardi’s connection to music and embed the Sound of Rum into broader culture.”

      ‘The Sound of Rum’ concept is a way to “connect Bacardi’s island roots to modern music”, and has since become a “cultural and creative movement”.   “It’s been exciting working with Jillionaire over the last few months – we’ve seen his talent first hand and he’s a true rum aficionado,” said Zara Mirza, global head of creative excellence at Bacardi.

     Bacardi Major Lazer Limited Edition Rum will be available across the US in summer, and is slated to hit retail shelves in June at a suggested price of $19.99. Bacardi expects to be rolling it out to select international markets in September.

Now We’re Dealing with Hurricane Season

     The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, Thursday, June 1 and ends on Thursday, November 30.   This season will hopefully be as calm for us here in the Keys as the last few have been.  If prognosticators are right, 2017’s hurricane season will produce fewer storms than normal.  Plus the storms will be of less intense and less of a chance that they will make landfall.

     El Niño is the determining factor for 2017, Pacific weather phenomenon could once again determine how rough the Atlantic hurricane season gets.   We could see a repeat of an active 2016 season, or the return of the sedate years that preceded last year.

     El Niño is a weather phenomenon is when warmer than average water temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific creates high-altitude winds that move across the tropical Atlantic Ocean making it harder for storms to form and strengthen.  If El Niño performs as expected in the Pacific, it should tamp down on storm formations in the Atlantic.  Remember, the Atlantic has already seen its first storm of 2017, back in April, when Tropical Storm Arlene formed east of Bermuda, lasted only three days and did not impact land.

     Let’s hope that it is a calm season, we don’t need another year like last year where hurricanes did so much damage to the Eastern Florida coast and the Bahamas.

Cruzan Rum Launches “Bucket List Campaign”

     Cruzan Rum has unveiled a new marketing campaign in support of the latest addition to its flavored expression, Cruzan Tropical Rum.  Inspired it’s signature Rum Punch Bucket cocktails, the Cruzan Bucket List campaign offers a fun twist on the traditional concept of the bucket list, emphasizing the “simple pleasures that make a summer memorable”.

     “Our bucket list isn’t just about taking a trip around the world or breaking a world record,”  “It’s about exploring all of life’s flavors – whether that’s watching a sunset on the beach or simply catching up with an old friend while enjoying a refreshing Cruzan cocktail.  “There’s no time like now to start doing all the things you want to do, and the ‘Cruzan Bucket List’ offers the inspiration our fans need to start checking things off their lists.”

Cruzan Bucket List will launch through on and off premise activation's as well as social media and digital, including a dedicated website, www.CruzanBucketList.com, where rum fans can create their own personalized bucket lists and track their progress.  The campaign will also include a consumer sweepstakes, which features an all-expenses-paid ‘Ultimate Bucket List Experience’ trip to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, the home of Cruzan Rum.

The Bucket List launch is coinciding with the launch of Tropical Fruit Rum is described as “juicy pineapple, tart passion fruit, and sweet guava accented with bright notes of fresh citrus”.  Cruzan Tropical Fruit Rum is now rolling out nationwide across the US with a suggested retail price of $10.99 per 750ml bottle.

The Science of Day Drinking Experts Reveal Why Alcohol Can Affect Us Differently During Daytime

Day Drinking

     This is an interesting concept, I know that when I’m drinking around 11 to 4 in the daytime, I tend to be much more relaxed and will sip my cocktail at a much slower rate that I would doing into the bar right after work.  I know that the first drink after work tends to go down rather quickly, compared to the first one in the daytime.  I feel like my stress level of morning and afternoon vs evening and night time are a real big part of it.

Sunny Summertime

     Studies have found that alcohol sensitivity heightens at night.  Another expert said while drinking during the day you tend to sit and eat longer.  Summer is just around the corner for some parts of the world and many are looking forward to spending their days sipping a cocktail in the sun.  But those who have participated in day drinking may have noticed that consuming alcohol during the day does not have the same effects as it does during a night out. 

Night Drinking

     The time you drink will influence what you do while consuming alcohol, if you are enjoying brunch with friends, you are more inclined to sit longer and eat more food.   Experts have shared their thoughts and work with New York Magazine's Katie Heaney in understanding why four mimosa at brunch feels different from four vodka sodas at night.   However, another professor of nutrition sciences said that the answer is simply hazy. 

     Other opinions indicate that the time you drink will influence what you do while consuming alcohol.  Enjoying brunch with friends, you are more inclined to sit longer and eat more food.  There is always some people who do enjoy late night snacks after a fun night out, but how and what you eat are at the different times also varies.    Because day drinking usually occurs at a time with food, it usually takes longer to feel the effects - whereas night owls may not eat until a few hours before heading to bed. 

     How this plays into why you feel different drinking during the day is because you may be more relaxed sitting around a table with a few friends in the warm sun than you do dancing in a crowd at a nightclub.   These findings have led researchers to believe that alcohol is absorbed much faster when the person feels under duress.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4539316/Researches-explain-science-day-drinking.html#ixzz4i3KFKTEN

Memorial Day is Not a Holiday

    Today is a day of remembrance, not just some holiday that we get off of work.   Today is the day
that we honor those who have given their lives for their country so that we can enjoy all of the freedom that we do.








     Freedom is not free, it comes with a price and this is the day that we get to thank those who have give their all that the rest of us can live free.

Remembering My Visits To Cuba

Pilar 2013 at Finca La Vagia

     All of the talk about Pilar, Hemingway's beloved fishing yacht, and all of the places that it took him have sparked my interest in looking back through some of these pictures.  Pilar sitting at Finca la Vagia and La Terraza in Cojmar.

     These are very warm memories that I always enjoy revisiting.  Seeing the Hemingway wall at the Hemingway Rum Company reminded me of the wonderful times I had there.

La Terraza de Cojimar  Hemingways after Fishing Watering Hole

Florida Governor Rick Scott Vetoes Liquor Wall Bill

Gov. Rick Scott

     Florida's so-called "liquor wall" won't be coming down after all.  Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a bill late Wednesday that would have removed a Prohibition-era law requiring liquor to be sold in separate stores from groceries and other retail items.

     Twenty-nine other states have similar laws that allow spirits in the grocery aisles, but the bill gained stiff opposition from social conservatives concerned it would lead to increased alcohol consumption, alcoholism and underage drinking.   Yet it wasn't those concerns that swayed Scott. It was the pleas of independent liquor store owners and workers that led to his veto.   "I have heard concerns as to how this bill could affect many small businesses across Florida," Scott wrote in his veto letter. "I was a small business owner, and many locally owned businesses have told me how this bill will impact their families and their ability to create jobs."

     Scott gave few clues in the lead-in to his decision, but acknowledged on Tuesday that his family's history with alcoholism - his biological father and brother both suffered from it - gave him pause.   "I've had family members that have had the challenge of alcoholism and it concerns me," Scott told reporters Tuesday. "So as I review the bill, I take all those things into consideration." 

     Big-box retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Target, pushed for the bill the past four years and don't appear to be giving up on the idea.    "There is a clear momentum in Florida for this common-sense approach to liquor sales," said Michael Williams, spokesman for Floridians for Fair Business Practices, an advocacy group backed by Wal-Mart and Target. "We look forward to working with state leaders in the future to finally put an end to this outdated, Prohibition-era law."

     The bill was one of the most heavily lobbied pieces of legislation this year. As big retailers pushed for the measure, independent liquor stores and Orlando-based ABC Fine Wine & Spirits fought against it. Publix, which has gone to the expense of setting up liquor stores next -to its grocery stores, also opposed the legislation.

Here is What Those Who Responded to Yesterday's Blog are Asking For

     I kind of got the results that I thought from my question in yesterday's blog.  There are thousands of rums on the market and it a very difficult to know myself what they are with out a guide book.  For the customer at the bar it is even more difficult.  Here recently, there has been a real push for better classification of rum, something more substantial that just gold, dark, spiced or flavored. A prominent group of rum producers and vendors have gotten together and come up with a new classification system that makes it a lot easier to know what type of rum that you are buying.

     The Gargano Classification system gives buyers a much better understanding of what they are buying and makes it much easier to know the basis of the rums that they are buying.

The Gargano Rum Classification System

• Pure Single Rum – this would apply to all pure pot-still rums
• Single Blended Rum – blends of pot-still and column-still rums 
• Traditional Rum – traditional column-still rum 
• Agricole Rhums  - Appellation d’ Origine Controlle"  for rums produced on the island of Martinique that meet certain local standards. 
• Rum – all other rums

This is a a great basis for getting into the ballpark as to what you are buying, but with rum and it's minimal number of rules, there are many different tasting rums is each classification.  As a barman, it is critical for me to have a feel for the rums in the area of taste as well as classification.

     From the comments, you seem to want some one to guide you to a new rum similar to the one you like or in the range of the one you like. " I've tried matching rums to similar whiskeys, both in terms of quality and sweetness. I've never been successful that way, even with long-time friends. However, I think a flight of 3 or 4 rums of similar quality would be a great start. Have the potential "convert" pick her favorite of the flight, then present another flight built on that preference."   I too find this to be an excellent method to finalize a customer's selection.  To this end at the "Speakeasy Inn's Rum Bar", I created a "Rum Run" served in a prohibition era model boat.  Over the years, this has worked very well to finalize the decisions.

     It takes all of the parts of the game to put the correct rum into a customer's hands when you are serving the end customer.  I have found in the past a good list of your rums that is classified, in the past I've used the country of origin, but with a new and viable system of classification this would be the better way, especially if it is the standard industry wide.  But this is only the beginning to get your customer into the ball park.  You have to have the skills of a sommelier to finely get the rum the customer is looking for.

     Thank you for all of the input.  I see this is a great start, and I hope that the industry can agree to a new and accurate classification for the category.

As a Customer What Do You Need to Know to Switch to Rum

     Today I saw and participated in a really interesting debate about how rums should be presented on a menu of the restaurant or bar.  I know what I try to do as a barman, but it is really interesting to me so see what your feelings on the subject are.

     If you are a whiskey category drinker and I was trying to convince you to try rum, what do you want to know to get you to try a rum?  There are people that feel that they can offer you types of rums based on flavor or color in a menu form.  Others believe that rums can be presented as a list and let you rely on the server or barman to guide you like the sommelier would in the world of wine.   Some bring up the idea of price point to separate the expressions.

     What I'm doing here is asking you to comment here on the blog and give me a feeling on what would be more likely to bring you over to trying a rum.  I spend a lot of time with customers that are whiskey and other spirit drinkers and need the help from the customers as what information they need to try a rum.

Water With Your Rum, What a Concept

     There is a push on to get people to have a glass of water between drinks containing alcoholic beverages.  This is a concept that has been around for years and is quite effective in slowing the on come of intoxication.   Water is not usually offered to customers for free at establishments that serve alcoholic beverages, but there is a campaign in Europe and Great Britain that calls on trade venues to act on this concept.

     Many bars and nightclubs have signed on to this scheme and now are indicating that they will serve complimentary water to customers.  In addition, five major retail chains placed more than 650,000 neck hangers on bottles to encourage consumers to follow the guidelines when consuming alcohol at home.  

     “The objective is to slow the pace of drinking, reduce dehydration that occurs when consuming alcohol, and favor moderation on a night out.”   With the pressure on in many country and states to lower the level of blood alcohol from 0.08% to 0.05% for operation of motor vehicles, it is a good way to be able to enjoy an evening out without the risk of a D.U.I. going home afterwards.

26th Annual Minimal Regatta at Schooner Wharf Sunday

Open Class Boats

     Memorial Day Weekend is at hand this week and one of the most fun events of the year happens at Schooner Wharf.  The 26^th Annual Minimal Regatta is here.  A very “serious “ group of very creative boat builders have spent many hours creating their “scientifically” designed vessels for this fabulous race.
     Supplies are limited, but the creativity is endless at Schooner Wharf Bar on Sunday, May 27 for the 21st Annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta.  Each 6 member team must build a boat seaworthy enough to stay afloat for the entire race course in the Key West Bight in front of Schooner Wharf. The catch---the boats are made of plywood, fasteners, duct tape, and 2' x 4's.  Construction kits can be bought at co-sponsor Manley de Boer on Eaton Street at a “minimal” price.


Minimal Regatta Construction Rules

• One sheet of 4' x 8' x 1/4" plywood
• Two 2"x 4" 8'
• One pound of fasteners
• One roll of 2" x 60 yard duct tape
• No caulking or adhesives - Epoxy paint is permitted
• Painting of boats is optional

Kayak Class

     There are two categories of “Minimal Vessels” -- Kayak/Canoe Design & Open Design. Competitors will win prizes in each design group for Fastest - 1st & 2nd Place. Other prizes are awarded for the Most Creative Design - 1st & 2nd Place, Best Paint Job, Best Costumed Entry, Sportsmanship Award, and Sinker Award.
     The $20 entry fee this year will benefit the Wounded Warriors Caribbean Cruise (46 Special Forces Group Association). Veterans on therapeutic leave from the Bethesda Navy and Walter Reed Army hospitals in Maryland enjoy a Caribbean cruise while escorted by members of the local VFW Post 3911.   “We make sure all their needs are taken care of, along with the veterans’ airfare and hotel stays,” said Ed Moran, commander of VFW Post 3911. “We’re excited to be a part of the Minimal Regatta and appreciative of its support for this Wounded Warrior project.”

 

Sinker Class oops

    Regatta registration opens at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 27 with vessel inspection at 12:30 p.m. Spectators have a chance to get an up close look of the ingenious vessels and fun team costumes. There will be a course demonstration between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m., followed by a conch shell start by Captain Morgan.

 

The Aftermath of the Tough Racing LOL

Seeing The Public Enjoying Hemingway Rum Company

Pilar Today

     After a couple of weeks of soft openings at the Hemingway Rum Company it was a lot of fun to have a couple of days with the public.  I had a chance to see many friends that I hadn't seen since my retirement from the bar business a little over a year and a half ago.   The only drawback was that with nearly 500 or so people a day coming through the tasting bar, I wasn't able to spend much time with any of them. 

Ernest Hemingway

      I have watched Carlton Grooms and his crew working on this project for nearly four years now and I'm really happy to see the stress leave his face today when the VIP stuff finished up and the store opened up to the public.  Part of the reward for all their work came when the store was filled with people from the start on Saturday at 9 am. 


     Seeing the tribute to Ernest Hemingway's adventurous nature

Hemingway Wall

being the central theme of the store and the good quality rum being made in his honor is a wonderful thing to be around.  There are so many photographs of his exciting life, especially here in Key West that are built into the bar along with the ones on the Hemingway wall in the distillery area.  These help you to feel a part of this mans love of life and all the adventures that he lived.

Hemingway Rum Company Solera

     If you weren't able to attend this past weekends festivities, be sure to stop by one your next visit to Key West and see the Hemingway Rum Company at the corner of Greene and Simonton Streets.  It is a tour of adventure and rum, unlike any other anywhere.

Walked Out to Meet My New Neighbor

     Yesterday morning, I heard some squawking outside and looked up to be greeted by a new visitor on the sailboat next door.  It looks like a young Osprey, but he was anxious to say hi to his new neighbor and let everyone in the marina know that he was here.

     The Osprey is one of my favorite birds here in the Florida Keys, they are so majestic and beautiful to see.  They soar like an eagle, which makes sense, because they are a part of the eagle family.  Very efficient at snatching fish from the ocean with a high speed swoop over the surface of the water.  hey make their nests at the top of poles and other very tall places.






































    Say Hey to my new neighbor.

Hemingway Rum Company Now Open to the Public

Hemingway Rum Company

     After four years of work, the Hemingway Rum Company is finally open to the public today.  The public may visit the distillery between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm seven days a week.  You can stop by, take a tour, enjoy the Hemingway experience, sample our rum, enjoy the trading post and even buy a bottle of the rum to take home with you.   Under the guidance of Carlton Grooms, this magnificent distillery, museum and trading post is now open for all to experience.

Hamilton 350 Gallon Still

      Visitors can view the Hamilton Pot Still, that can produce up to 80 gallons of rum per day.  Guests will also be treated to an interactive displays, which allows them to learn many of the factors involved with the production of rum.  There are many unique attractions throughout the tour that pay tribute to “Papa” as Hemingway was known, including a swivel picture wall and several other displays of interest.  Following the tour, patrons will be provided a sampling experience of Papa’s Pilar dark and blonde rums in the facility’s Tasting Room, which includes a Hemingway inspired bar top, filled with newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.

     Visitors will be treated to interactive displays that will allow them to see, smell and follow the active of producing the rums.  Following the tour, patrons will be provided a sampling experience of ingredients and steps that are a part of making each of the rum expression.   Special exhibits throughout the tour pay tribute to “Papa” as Hemingway was known, including a swivel picture wall, the solera and all of the other parts Papa’s Pilar dark and blonde rums in the facility’s Tasting Room, which includes a Hemingway inspired bar top, filled with newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.

Trading Post and Tasting Bar

     Carlton “Carl” Grooms, Key West Director of Operations, will manage the production of the award-winning rums, with the help of four full-time managers and 40 part-time employees, whom are all local Key West residents.  “We’re excited to have created both a destination that will serve as the physical heart and soul of our brand, as well as an asset for the city of Key West,” said Grooms. “Our guests will be truly engaged and amazed with this unique experience. A trip to Key West will no longer be complete without a visit.”

For more information, please visit www.papaspilar.com,“like” us on  Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PapasPilarRum

Bahama Bob's Ginger Mint Daiquiri

     Summertime is Daiquiri time.  Down here in the keys on a hot and humid summer day, there is nothing nicer that a unique daiquiri.   I got fooling around with a new syrup that I made and found that it is very versatile for summer cocktails.  Everyone knows about the mojito and julep, all popular mint cocktails, but I was looking for something minty different.

     I came on the idea of mixing a nice dark rum with some ginger and my new mint syrup.  I went to work on the idea and came up with this one.

Bahama Bob's Ginger Mint Daiquiri

• 1 1/2 oz. Cartavio Black Barrel Rum
• 1/2 oz. King's Ginger Liqueur
• 1/2 oz. Bahama Bob's Mint Syrup

Place all ingredients in a shake with ice and shake until chilled.  Pour into a fluted rocks glass along with the ice.  Garnish with a mint sprig.

Bahama Bob's Mint Syrup

• 1 Cup of Sugar in the Raw
• 1 Cup of Water
• 4 Sprigs of Fresh Mint

Place sugar and water into a sauce pan.  Strip the mint from the stalk and crush with a rolling pin. Put on high heat and stir until sugar is dissolved lower heat to 170 degrees and add mint leaves.   Allow to slow boil for 2 to 3 minutes at 170 degrees and turn off the heat.  Allow to steep for 30 minutes and strain into a suitable container.  Keep in refrigerator, good for about two or three weeks.