Demerara Rums

     The Demerara Distillery of Guyana is one of the oldest and famous for it's rich flavorful rums.     Demerara benefits from its unique stills unlike any others that are operating in the world today.     They have  what is believed to be the last operating wooden Coffey stills in the world.     It is a direct relative of the first continuous still constructed by  Aeneas Coffey in 1832 for whom the still gets it's name.     The still was purchased from the Enmore Sugar Estate which was founded about 200 years ago .    

     In addition to the wooden Coffey Stills, they have a Single and a Double Wooden Pot Stills that originated in the Port Mourant Estate that was founded in 1732.    These stills are more than 200 years old and were used to produce the Demerara Navy Rums.   Today they are often called the Demerara Vat Stills, an old name for that type of still.     It is the use of these unique stills and an age old process that the rums produced by Demerara owes their bold and wonderful flavors.     Their experience making bold navy rums  and deeply aromatic, heavy bodied and flavorful rums to the use of these very special stills.

    

     The Third type of still employed by Demerara Distillery is the French Savalle Still.     Demerara to this day uses it's original four column  metal French Savalle Still.     This still is know for it's sweet nose and a medium bodied, dry rums.    This still is the one that produced the "single barrel" rums for the El Dorado Brands and is used in the blending of other El Dorado Rums.   

     The newer more modern version of the Savalle Still is very versatile and can produce rums that range from the very heavy bodied to the very light and delicate.

     The El Dorado and Lemon Hart brands are probably the best known in the United States, and deservedly so.     These rums are some of the finest anywhere and the long list of awards is a good indication of the quality of their products.     If you go back to the "Tiki Era" you would almost always see the Demerara Brands called for in the famous cocktails of "Don the Beachcomber" and "Trade Vic", this wasn't a coincidence, but by design.    Both of these men had a sense of taste that made their cocktails so special that they live on today some 60 years later.  

     Take a little time and try one of the El Dorado Brand Rums, my favorites are the 12 year old and 15 year old ones.    Enjoy sipping the special unique flavors of this wonderful style found in the rum making techniques of Demerara.     ;o)

So Little Time with So Much to Do

     Today my friends Mike and Julia from North Carolina headed home, and I have a day off.     What can I do?      The weather is touching on the 88 degree mark and the breezes are for all practical purposes calm.     This could be a perfect day to head out on the water and do some exploring of some of the many keys that I haven't been to.     The other side of the coin says maybe to the Rum Lab and do some research with the two new rums that I have gotten this week.      There is something that keeps calling me on days like this one to go out on the water and find new things.

     I guess that I could compromise and take a bit of rum and go out on the water and still fulfill all of my obligations to do research of all types at the same time.     Water days are a real rumstyler's dream days, they make you feel like a pirate or maybe even a touch of Robinson Crusoe, as you move away from "civilization" and explore some of the mangrove keys that lie all around Key West.     The best part is that I get to enjoy some really nice rum, explore some really beautiful seascapes, and when it is over go home and relax in the comfort of my home at the dock.     Best of all worlds.

     I think the water and rum day is what is really called for today so I grab my camera, my rum and a chart and heat off on another high seas adventure in my mind as I explore the calm and beautiful waters around Key West.     I'll bring you back the pictures and the story.     ;o)

Making a Pretty Good Mojito

The Mojito is a simple drink that was originally created by the cane cutters of Cuba and made famous by the likes of Hemingway and others.     This is a wonderfully refreshing cocktail that when made right, is a wonderful tasting cocktail that you can not put down.

The Mojito

• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• 1/2 (More or Less depending on taste) Cane Syrup
• 5 to 7 Mint Leaves
• 1 1/2 oz Rum (Your Choice of Blanco, Gold, Dark or Flavored)
• Club Soda

The ingredients are simple, but the making of the cocktail is critical to the taste.     The biggest mistake that I've seem people make when making Mojitos it "over muddling".    Mint is a herb and only needs bruising to release the flavors, shredding and crushing only serves to release the tars and ruin the flavor of the cocktail.

First you squeeze the lime juice into the cocktail glass.

Second is to add the Cane Syrup and Mint to the glass.

Third you muddle very lightly.

Fourth you add the Ice.

Fifth is the most important, add the Rum.

Pour into a Bar Shaker and shake until chilled.

And finally pour back into the cocktail glass and top with Club Soda and garnish with a lime and a sprig of Mint if you like.


Photos by Tom at Island Hopper Photos





Sit back and enjoy this wonderful cocktail from the wonderful people just 90 mile to our south.     The Mojito is a wonderful and simple cocktail that is so often the victim of an over zealous bartender, and the Mojito is the loser every time.   KISS couldn't apply more when you make these simple little cocktails.   ;o)

Another Day on the Water

     Yesterday was a picture perfect day to be out on the water in the little boat.     Having friends in town from North Carolina is the perfect excuse to sneak off to the quiets of the mangrove keys that lay just north of Key West.     Sharing time with nature is one of the real benefits of living on the water down here.    To be able to just head off and float down a Disneyland like channel that runs through the mangroves is my idea of heaven on earth.     This is almost like falling down the rabbit's hole and visiting wonderland where you can just drift where the currents take you and once in a while come upon some unique and different sight.  

      Yesterday was all about stingrays and birds that seem to be following us everywhere we went.     As we traveled from one mangrove Key to another we saw very different things, sort of like going from one planet to another.     We ran across a group of cormorants sitting at the top of a mangrove tree and seemed very intent on what they were staring at.   It was like a panel of judges sitting and scoring an event.     The stingrays were every where yesterday, probably say 6 or 7 of them all ranging in size from 2 to 4 feet.     This is a beautiful creature to watch as it seems to be gliding effortlessly through the water just off the bottom.

     Our next stop was at a very uninhabited beach that I've visited several times as I floated through the Mud Keys.     Here we just sat neck deep in the 85 degree water and watched as all the little almost transparent fish swam around our feet and legs.    This is a very peaceful place also where we could just be and enjoy all that mother nature has made for our enjoyment.     A walk up the beach found that in a month or so many of the flowers will be blooming and just another excuse to revisit  this nice quiet beach.

     The sun has take it's toll on all of us and the sunscreen isn't doing that well so it is back to the "Mothership" and have a few cocktails as the sun sets on another fantastic water day in the keys.     The trip back is so cooling as we cruise along at about 20 knots on our way home.    Along the way home we see several others that have been out to their secret places of relaxation and all seem as happy as we.

     The day like all really fun things has to come to an end on the back of the "Mothership', as we enjoy our rum cocktails and watch another fantastic Key West sunset as we watch through the rigging of the sailboard behind us.   ;o)

Barefoot Man Headed Back to Nippers!!!!

     It is that time of year again and the Barefoot Man is going to be playing at Nipper's on Great Guana Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.   http://www.barefootman.com/whahappenin.html .      If you haven't attended one of these concerts at Nipper's, you have missed the concert of your life.     This year the Concert is July 22 & 23, and a party that starts around 11am and doesn't end 'til the wee hours of the morning.
Make your reservations for hotels etc. as early as possible, because concert week it will be sold out.     This is a really fun party that all rumstyler's should attend.     Your won't be sorry, unless you are unable to let your hair down and have some fun.

     Barefoot Man is introducing a new album at the party and who knows what else might happen and things usually do happen there.
A barefoot man concert is not something you will ever forget, and an experience that keeps happening throughout the party.     His laid back Bahamian style tels stories of the Crystal Sea and all it's fun people and places.

     If you are looking for a great time don't miss the Concert, Pig Roast and Concert at Nipper's.   ;o)

Tribute to Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins 1911 - 1973

The Tattoo Artist and the Spiced Rum Guy!

      

Sailor Jerry, "My work speaks for itself"

Mount Gay Black in the Lab

Yesterday was another productive day in the lab.     Several new cocktail ends were tried with the new Mount Gay Black 100 Proof rum from Barbados.     This is an interesting rum to work with and very intoxicating testing the results.     The most notable part of the testing is how the bold taste of the rum was fully discernible even with some of the heavier syrup flavors that were tested.     This is a very usable mixer especially for the Tiki style cocktails like swizzles or zombie's.     The bold taste boded well for the brand in the "KeyZombie".     After several hours of intoxicating experimentation we came up with a "Key West Love Cocktail".


     Key West Love Cocktail

• 1 oz Mount Gay Black 100 Proof
• 1/2 oz Plantation Overproof
• 1/4 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Trader Vic's Passion Fruit Syrup
• 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 2 dashes of Traditional Bitters

Place all ingredients in s shaker with ice and shake til thoroughly chilled and pour over crushed ice in a Collins glass.    Garnish with a lemon and a lime.

     This cocktail has a bold sour/sweet taste with strong notes of the Mount Gay Black's bold flavor.     Try this cocktail at home or where ever you can find a place that stocks the ingredients.     This rum is very new to the United States so get out and get your local liquor store to put it on the shelf, it has the potential to be a big seller.    It's bold taste and mixablity makes it an instant winner.     Careful, this one has a serious strength and one or maybe two are enough.     Cheers!!!!!!!      ;o)

 

Today is a Lab Day

     Today we are spending at the Rum Lab and working on some ideas for new cocktails using the new Mount Gay Black 100 Proof.     This rum I believe will lend itself well to the Tiki style cocktails.    That bold flavor and the 100 proof means that I can blend it with some of the more exotic flavors to create a bold and exciting taste.       I have some guest tasters coming by to help with the evaluation of the experimentation and to put some of their expertise into the mix for a even better resultant cocktail.

    The lab is stocked and ready for the experimentation today, so lets see what results we can get today.     I'll let you know tomorrow, maybe a new recipe or two, who knows.     ;o)

Mount Gay Black 100 Proof: The Rum Lab is reopening to explore this one!

Rum Wreck Bar Photo

     I've been having some renewed interest in the newer and traditional overproof rums here lately.     The introduction of Mount Gay's new Black 100 Proof has given me some ideas that I'll be exploring tomorrow in the "Rum Lab".     I feel that with a little bit of work, this rum might just "Swizzle" it's way into you heart, but will probably kick like a 'Mule".       I'll let you know as soon as I can rectify my notes and tell you about some new Key West concoction.    

     The Barbados based Mount Gay Eclipse Black is a blend of a couple of seven year old rums.     It has an amber color with a stronger and more complex flavor that the traditional Eclipse, and carries a more pleasing aroma of smoke, fruit and spices.     This rum is more like the Mount Gay Extra Old, but with a 100 proof intensity.    This is classic Bajan Rum from the eldest rum distillery in the world and warrants the "Rum Lab" experimentation for a new Key West cocktail from this new rum.     ;o)

Smith &Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum

     Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum is one of the bold rums that was around in the early 20th century.     This is a blend of heavy and medium bodied pot-still rums and presented at 57% or Navy Strength.     Where the modern Jamaican rums are for the sippers, this bold style rum works best in a bold cocktail.    

      The aroma is strong with alcohol, but packed with very complex and strong flavors, with a warm and strong finish.     The rum is best used in traditional Jamaican cocktails such as the daiquiri, or a Jamaican Mule.     This blend of unaged Wedderburn rum and 1 1/2 to 3 year old Plummer rums really does not lend itself to further aging, because the wood will tend t dominate the fruits and spices that are so prevalent now, and further mute the aromas.

     Smith & Cross lends itself to some bold cocktails:

     Smith & Cross Punch

• 2 oz Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz Cane syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters.

Shake over Ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with fresh ground nutmeg.

     Smith & Cross Swizzle

• 1 oz Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum
• 1/4 oz Falernum
• 1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Add all ingredients to a glass full of crushed ice and swizzle until the glass frosts on the outside.
garnish with a sprig of mint.

     Try any of these traditional cocktails or try replacing any darker rum with Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum and watch the cocktail come to life.     ;o)

Happy Fourth of July

     Key West is like most every other city n America on the Fourth of July,in that we have a grand fireworks display, flags and banners, and parades.     This is the one time of the year wen we are a bit more "conventional" in how we celebrate.       Some people get up early and run the 5 mile race called "Run Like a Conch", while others join the "Historic Seaport Bar Stroll".     In the evening all are involved in the fireworks display in some way or another.     Some take their own boats out on the south side of the island, while others sit on the beaches or in the beach bars where they will all will be able to see the fireworks.     Still others will get on some of the charter cruise boats and party on from sunset til the wee hours of the morning and the boats get back to the harbor.    No matter how the celebration is conducted, it is a celebration of America's Birthday and we are proud to be a part of this country and the party that celebrates it.     ;o)

   

Isn't Sunday a Beautiful Thing?

We are back to Sunday again, but this one is a beautiful thing because tomorrow is a holiday and we don't have to return to work until Tuesday.     Enjoy your 4th of July Sunday.     ;o)

Key West Outdoor Art

Key West has some really interesting people and the artists are no exception .    The is a variety of outdoor art that is visible as you move around this island.     Many of these are of a personal nature and others are just unique art works that tell you something about this island.     Hope you have some time when you are here to visit these wonderful examples that can be found all over the island.

Remember there is art beyond the regular gallery's here in Key West and some pretty interesting art at that.     Go beyond Old Town and you'll find a lot of what Key West is really all about.     ;o)

Today's Cocktail: Jamaican Mule

Moscow Mule

     The Jamaican Mule is a variant of the old Moscow Mule first created in 1941 by John G. Martin and John "Jack" Morgan.    It was born in Manhattan, at the Chatham Hotel, but stalled out there.     Jack Martin owner of the Cock 'n Bull Tavern on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles really got it rolling on the West Coast.      By 1943 it was climbing up the chart of "most popular cocktails".      It was served in a copper mug as part of the marketing ploy to raise the popularity.

     The difference between the "Moscow Mule" and the "Jamaican
Mule" is they substitution of vodka for rum in the recipe.     It is believed that someone from Appleton was the first to create this cocktail, but again, the real truth is hidden by time.     Most of the early recipes for the "Jamaican Mule" call for Appleton Extra Estate Rum.

     Early Jamaican Mule

Jamaican Mule

• 1 1/2 oz Appleton Extra Estate Rum
• 1 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 4 1/2 oz Ginger Beer

Mix all ingredients over ice and serve.

Some of the more modern versions has substituted a spiced rum, light, gold  & dark rums and a mess of other ideas to "enhance" the cocktail, but most of them become too complex and loose the integrity of the drink.

I have compromised a bit with my recipe, but I have stuck with the original and  gave it a little bit of added taste.

     Bahama Bob's Key West Mule

• 2 oz Appleton Extra Estate Rum
• 1 oz Falernum
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 4 oz Barrett's Ginger Beer.

Mix all the ingredients except the ginger beer and shake over ice. Strain into a cocktail glass with crushed ice and top up with the Ginger Beer.

No matter which mule becomes your favorite, the mules will "pull you through the evening with a bit of fun.     ;o)