Rum Renaissance Day Three: Judging Begins

     Day three has arrived and the rum judging begins today with two tasting sessions.     We start the day with a Panama Red and Panamonte Rum breakfast, followed by the first of the judging sessions.     Next it 's off the "alley", the area of the hotel where all of the XP's meetings with the producers happen, for lunch with Louisiana Spirits.   Second session of judging is next on the agenda.  Finally off to the pool area for some relaxation before heading off to the evening events.

     Breakfast was a real treat, a nice spread of eggs, bacon, fruit, and breads followed by the introduction to two really special rums.     Don Pablo Fernandez has come through again with a pair of premium "breakfast rums".     Panama Red is an overproof rum that has an enjoyable flavor and is fully sipable.    Panamonte is a high end ultra premium rum that is almost beyond description.    There seems to be some magic in the Panama that keeps fantastic rum emerging from this little strip of land in Central America.

     The first round of rum judging featured aged rums.    This was a good way to start the event.    Sometimes it is hard to judge a bunch of flavored or spiced rums right off the bat.    It was good to bet back into the judging environment again and really concentrate on the rums and be able to put all of my preconceived notions aside and just taste the rums.

     Louisiana Spirits, a start up rum distiller that is based just outside of Lake Charles, Louisiana was our host for lunch.     The Rum XP’s were briefed on the ideas behind the building and operating of the new distillery by Trey Litel, Tim Litel, Skip Cortese, and the Distiller, Jeff Murphy who make up the management team.     They are planning to bring tourism, rum distillation, and the local color of Louisiana into one integrated operational program.     They are well underway with the building of the plant, but wet weather in Louisiana this year has held up a lot of the construction of the plant.     It is planned to be placing rum in the marketplace by the spring of 2013.  It was very interesting listening to them present their plans and ideas for this new rum facility.

     It was time again for the XP's to head back in the judging room for the second round of tasting.     This time it was for the white rum and the Cachaca tasting.     Usually one of the least interesting of the groups traditionally, but there were some very good whites this year.     The fun comes for the judges when we are through evaluating and go into the next room for the reveal.    This is  where we get to see what the rums really were.

     After spending some quality time on the beach it was time to head out into the night again.     Nick brought the group a real treat, an original Zaya from Guatemala that we put a pretty good dent in as we sat in the lobby waiting to head out.    The entire group really savored the experience before heading for some fun with our friends from Atlantico.   

       It was back to the Broken Shaker again and this time it was Atlantico Rum that was our host.     All of the usual suspects were on hand to sample Atlantico rums and enjoy the evening.    We sipped the rum and tasted the really unique apps as we sat and talked about everything in the world.   It was already 11:30pm, but the evening was still going strong, but the day was catching up with me and it was time to return to the hotel and some much needed sleep.   

     Here it is again 8:00am and I'm just finishing up today's story of yesterday.   Today is another full day with judging, seminars, and of course the "obligatory" rum parties.   Fill you in on Day 4 tomorrow.   ;o)

    

    

Rum Renaissance Day Two

     Today is a relaxing beach day with things really getting underway this evening.    The weather here could not be any better, nice sea breeze and cleare blue sky's.     Today the remainder of the XP's arrived for an afternoon of poolside conversation and catching up on what we have been doing since our last meetings.

     Things are really getting  underway around 6pm as we migrate to the "Broken Shaker" for the Ron Zacapa VIP Party.    The party startes with a sampling of Ron Zacapa XO in the garden.     Bar-b-qued jerk chicken and ribs followed by some very nice Ron Zacapa punch and rum soaked goodies.     It was a great time socializing with so many friends that I hadn't seen in quite some time.   The combination of good food and fine rum mad this a perfect start to the evening, but it was time to head back to the Deauville for the Great Rum Challenge.

 

     The Great Rum Challenge was a chance for the VIP's and other industry people to try their skills at identifying 8 premium rums for a chance to join the XP's as a judge for this event.    There were two parts to the Challenge.  First identify the 8 rums, then a test of your knowledge about the years that are on the label of which brands.  For instance 1919 on the Angostura Rum from Trinidad, or the 1888 on the Brugal Rum from the Dominican Republic.   This turned out to be a good time for all of participants and the rest of us that got to sit and sample the rums. 

     Now we are off to North Miami and the first Miami distillery in many years.   The Caneca Distillery is about to introduce it's first rum to the market in just a short few weeks.    Miami Club is what the rum is called and it is a very nice white rum  that is aged to the sounds of salsa music.    This is a means of speeding the very unique aging process.     The rum is aged in stainless steel vats that have hickory rods that have been spirally cut to expose the rum to many times more surface of wood that a barrel can.    The music keeps the rum vibrating and moving through the wooden rod speeding the aging process.   I guess that it would be hard to call this process resting, because the rum is doing anything but resting, it dances to the music of Miami throughout the process.    The rum is produced in a pot still named "Sugar Lips" who will soon have a sister still in order to be able to keep up with the production that is anticipated

     The evening came to a rockin' finale at the "Liar's Club" back here in the hotel.   It has been a wild and crazy start to this year's Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, and it usually gets better and better as the days move ahead.    Today starts the first of six judging sessions and we are about to go for breakfast with Flip Flop Rum, another brand new rum offering.   Today's activities will be continued in tomorrow's edition.   ;o)

Rum Renaissance Day 1 Travel and Botran Party

Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, no doubt about it. 

     The trip from Key West to Miami Beach was smooth and enjoyable, as Mike, June and I cruised  up US1.     A quick stop in Key Largo at one of my favorite liquor stores, "Denny's Discount Liquors", and it was back on the road again to Miami Beach.    It really wasn't one of those "are we there yet" trips, it was fun being able to talk with Mike and June for the first time in a while.     When we did arrive on Collins Avenue it was really clear we were there.    After checking in, it was straight to the pool for lunch and a cocktail.   After a relaxing lunch  time to get ready for the night's activities was at hand.    

     Botran Aged Rums was the host at two venues last night making our evening a very special one.    Botran is not just a brand name, but rather that of a family that moved to Guatemala from Burgos, Spain in the mid 20th century to establish the company.     Mr.Botran was our gracious host for the Soho Beach House RumXP get together.    It was very interesting listening to the talk about the rum, it is aged in a very different way from many others.   It spends time in four different aging barrels during it's resting time.   It starts in used American whiskey barrels, then recharred American whiskey barrels, followed by sherry and finally in port barrels.

     The Botran Solera 1893 and the Botran Reserva are the only two rums of the five bottled by Botran that are available here in the United States.    This is not a bad thing, because both of them are exquisite rums, full of flavor and complex aromas that draw in and keep you there as you sip and enjoy.

     The party moved over to the trendy night club the "Broken Shaker" where the party continued for the rest of the evening.   Like at the "Soho", we had an opportunity to converse with friends while enjoying the fine Botran Rums.    Most of the XP's that haven't seen each other since last year, making this evening very special on another level.

   





Thanks to Mr. Botran and his crew for a wonderful evening.   ;o)

Travel Day Monday

     Today is the day we travel to Miami and the start of the fun and enlightenment of the 2012 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.    There will be a week long series of what has transpired each day on the blog, so keep up with all of the happenings throughout the week.

    We should arrive about 3:00 this afternoon and get checked into the resort.    Later this evening is a dinner and get together with Botran as our host, followed by the USBG "Bartender's Bash at the Broken Shaker.

This week I get to write my own "Rum Diary", and it's going to be a fun time.    I promise that I will put pictures both in the blog and on Facebook.    This is really going to be a tough assignment, but I'm up to the job.  ;o)

Guess Where I'm Going Tomorrow

2012 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival here I come.   ;o)

When I Think About Rum: I Think About Those Little Watering Holes

     One of my real pleasures where it be here at home in Key West, or out on the road in the world of rum, is stopping and enjoying myself relaxing in a small and warm little watering hole.     Even here at home, I work in a small 15 seat bar on the "quiet end of Duval Street", and I relax in a small waterfront bar on Stock Island.     I find that it is the more intimate atmosphere of these small bars that I find comfortable.     You get to meet so man new people from so many places, and they all have a new and interesting story to tell.      It is so easy to be alone among hundreds of people in a large establishment, but you are never alone in a small one.

     In Barbados it is the Rum Shops that provide this personal atmosphere, and it Old San Juan, it is the little cafes along one of the narrow streets.    It is funny how I seem to be drawn to these special little places as I travel and where I spend my personal leisure time as well.   I guess that it is part of being a"people person", but no matter what you call it is is a wonderful way of life and I'm so thankful that I have been allowed the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people in all of these wonderful places.   

     Your pleasures are where you find them, so look everywhere and you'll be surprised what is right in front of your face.      Take some time to drop in at one of these wonderful little places in your town or on your next trip out to some really cool place.    You'll find the intimacy and openness very refreshing and fun.   See you in one of my watering holes somewhere I hope.    ;o) 

Enjoying Your Premium Rums

     Premium Rums are something that you can't just slam down and say, "wow that was smooth" and move on tho the next one.     Premium rums are something that you just sip and savor, allowing the flavors to melt into your palate and carry through to the finish.    Americans seem to be in a hurry to get everything done, and don't "take the time to smell the roses" in most everything they do.   Enjoying of fine premium quality rum is not permitted for those who must "chug" or "slam" their liquors.   This is not the way to enjoy the experience of fine rum.

     A  snifter of fine quality rum is to be savored by the nose, palate and throat in it journey through your senses.    The aroma must lead you to the palate and then to the throat as the nectar passes it's way through your tasting and smelling receptors.    A snifter of premium rum should take 45 minutes to an hour to finish if you are going to be able to extract all of the pleasure and enjoyment from these nectar's of the spirit god's.

    All you need to do is just find an easy chair, sit back, and start drawing in the aroma of your favorite premium rum and let the rest of the world go away.    This experience really does wonders for your entire being.     Make the world go away for a hour or so and learn to enjoy your favorite premium sugarcane spirit  tonight.     How you feel afterward this evening and tomorrow will make you   wonder why you haven't tried this before today.     ;o)

Brugal Blanco Especial: A White Rum

    We have had most all of the Brugal line of  rums at the Rum Bar for some time including the famed 1888 Brugal Rum.    Yesterday Isabel Caicedo, account manager for Brugal, stopped by and gave me thought to look at the Brugal Blanco Especial. 

     This is a new white rum that is selling like hotcakes through out the Caribbean.     This white rum is actually a double distilled gold rum that has been aged for 12 to 18 months in white bourbon barrels.     The finished rum is then triple charcoal filtered to remove any impurities and bring the golden hue back to colorless again.

     Back to the beginning, this is a rum that is made from locally farmed Dominican Republic sugarcane that is crushed within a short two days after cutting.   The proprietary yeast is added and the fermentation is completed in less than two days.    Brugal will next put the rum through two passes in their column stills     followed by being placed in the white American Oak bourbon barrels to rest for 12 to 18 months before filtering and bottling.

     This is a great "blanco rum" for any of your premium cocktails and makes a great upgrade mojito or daiquiri.    When you are in the liquor store looking for a really nice white rum, try this "Brugal Blanco Especial", you will not be disappointed.    ;o)

When I Think About Rum: I Think About St. Lucia

     St. Lucia is a beautiful island that combines the hustle of a city with the quiet of an agricultural community.    The bus ride out of the city to the Roseau Valley and the home of the St. Lucia Distilling Group was an interesting dichotomy between the city and the country.

     Once we got to the distillery and a chance to tour the plant, it became clear why the rums that are produced here have the very special flavor they do.     The unique stills and the care that is put into the preparation of the barrels used to rest the rums really tells the whole story.    The pride and expertise of the people that work here shows from the fermentation to the tasting room.    There is little doubt as to why the products that are produce here have the quality they do.          I find the pride and the focus that goes into these rums very stimulating in that you get out of a venture what you put into it.    This dedication is hard to find and is always a pleasure to observe when given the opportunity.

     Chairman's Reserve Rums are among some of the finest anywhere and always a pleasure to sip and enjoy when at home on the boat.     The enjoyment not only comes from the fine rum, but it comes from the feelings of the dedicated people we met there at the distillery.    Their top line rums like "Admiral Rodney" and "1931" will stand along side some the best in the world and quite often do in the festivals  throughout the world.

     So I guess you can understand that when I think about rum I really do have to think about St. Lucia and the St. Lucia Distiller's Group and their really fine group of rums.    Find one of the Chairman's Reserve  Rums and you won't be disappointed.     ;o)

Rum Lab Yesterday with Fresh Fruits

     This was a different kind of Rum Lab yesterday.    We spent most of the day combining various fruits in a blender to create a puree that we could use as basis for a cocktail.    This is similar to creating smoothies, but different in that they are going to be mixed with a rum and become a cocktail.    We were looking for a tropical taste with out using syrups or other artificial flavors.    The experiment was very interesting, it is not easy to put different fruits together without one of them dominating the entire mixture.     We used Plantation Barbados Five Year Grande Reserve as the rum because of it smooth and mellow characteristics to finish the cocktail with. 

     We worked with Oranges, Grapefruit, Mango, Pomegranate, Kiwi, Passion Fruit, Lime, Pineapple, Bananas, and Lemon.    The Orange was the most dominate of the group, and had to be used in very small amounts.   This was surprisingly neutrally sweet, and really adapted well for the mixing with the rum.

     The final mix was equal amounts (about 1 cup) of pineapple chunks, peeled mango, peeled lemon, Kiwi, lime juice, passion fruit slices, and some not from concentrate pineapple juice to thin the mixture.    We ran the ingredients in the blender until they were very smooth and of a pourable consistency.     The "Smoothie" blend is then put into a pourable container and refrigerated until ready to use.

Tropical Grande Reserve Cocktail

• 2 oz Plantation Barbados 5 Year Rum
• 4oz. "Smoothie" Blend

Pour the rum and the smoothie blend into a class filled with crushed ice and swizzle until the ingredients are combined.      Garnish with an orange wheel and a cherry.

Try this cocktail as the weather warms outside it is very enjoyable and naturally sweet.   It is a refreshing way to lull the afternoon away, and enjoy the wonderful flavors of the Plantation Barbados 5 Year Grande Reserve Rum as it dances among the flavors of this really nice cocktail.  ;o)

When I Think About Rum: I Think About Maimi Rum Renaissance

    We are only one week away from the start of the 2012 Miami Rum Renaissance and I'm getting really excited about all the fun we will be having.    Last year we went to many places and this yer the schedule is even more exciting.    I looking with great anticipation to the Grand Tasting Exibition on Saturday and Sunday as well as the judging of all of the rums.    

     If you are interested in seeing all of the displays and sampling all of the rums all of the information you need to get your tickets and schedule of events is available at http://www.rumrenaissance.com/.      

     The Grand Tasting Exibition on Saturday and Sunday give you a chance to visit with the producers of your now favorite rums and your soon to be favorites as you sample all of the fine rums and cocktails that will be available to you as you wander through the displays.     Meet all of the ladies that are there to greet you and present their special brand of rum for you to sample and enjoy.  

The Grand Rum Tasting Exhibition on Saturday and Sunday will include a plethora of fine rums from the Caribbean and beyond. Sample the finest rums from each island, from each category and from each notable brand.

Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $40 per day in advance, $50 at the door.

Seminars and lectures will be presented by a veritable who's who list of experts from the rum manufacturing, distilling and blending world, as well as luminaries of the cocktail mixologists universe, offering insightful programs to consumers and members of the trade.



Amateur bartenders and professional mixologists, local and international teams will compete for awards, prizes and bragging rights in an ongoing series of cocktail competitions.

No matter what your interest, you'll find many ways to have fun next week at the Maimi Rum Renaissance Festival,   ;o)

Happy Easter Sunrise Everyone

Rum Renaissance Festival Tickets

     For those of you that haven't mad your plans yet to attend the Grand Tasting at this year's Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, here is a very good chance for you to save some money and get you tickets in advance.    This is an opportunity to meet with the producers of the your favorite rums and get to know about and taste many many new rums.    

     I'll be at the Rum Renaissance Festival all week long, you can find me at the Grand Tasting all day both days for the Grand Tasting.    Please get you tickets in advance and come and enjoy the finest rums anywhere.   ;o)

Plantation Rum: Barbados Grande Reserve

     Plantation Barbados Grande Reserve, one of the very special Plantation finished rums.    This is a very versatile rum that can be sipped or mixed equally as well.    I've had the pleasure of having it on the shelf of the Rum  Key West for several years now.    We use it in several cocktails including mojitos, corn and oil, and even mixed just with coconut water.    The deep mahogany color with light and sweetly aromatic aromas of the rum leads you to the sweet wood and fruit taste with a slow smooth warm and fruity finish.

     My experience with Bajan Rums tells me that this is column still produced rum because of the light color and the lighter more delicate subtle flavor of the rum.    Plantation's finishing of the rum makes this a really great tasting and inexpensive rum that is so very versatile.



Bajan Daiquiri

• 1 1/2 oz. Plantation Barbados Grande Reserve
• 3/4 oz. J.D. Taylor Velvet Falernum
• 1/2 oz. Cane Syrup (simple syrup)
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• Dash of Bitters

Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.  Strain into a Martini Glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

     You can make a multitude of cocktails with this playful rum from Barbados if you just let your creative juices run wild and don't be afraid of putting things together that you may not have put together before.    Have some fun with this one and enjoy the results of your labors.  ;o)

Cruising the Caribbean for Rum

     For the past several winters I have been traveling around the Caribbean looking at different rums and distilleries.   These trips have introduced me to some of the finest rums in the world.    This has given me a chance to taste and evaluate some of the finest premium rums anywhere.     Last winter I was in Barbados where I enjoyed the rum shops and visited Foursquare Distillery and St. Nicolas Abbey to taste and enjoy Doorly's XO and St. Nicolas Abbey's Barbados Rum.

     In St. Lucia I found Chairman's Reserve The Forgotten Casks, it became my favorite from the St. Lucia Rum Distillery.    This is one of the more interesting rums, given that due to a fire at the distillery these casks were mislaid and forgotten about for nearly 5 years.   When they were discovered and tasted, they were found to have a really great flavor and were bottled for distributed and now available in America.

     Antigua is another island in the southeastern Caribbean that has a really great rum that is on my favorites list.     The English Harbour Reserve, a 10 year old rum from the Antigua Distillery.     The beauty of the island and the taste of their rum fit well together.

     Puerto Rico is where I first got the Chance to taste the Don Q Gran Anejo.   I was instantly captivated by this fine rum.   It reached my acquisition list immediately and brought back with me.

    You see it is easy to fall in love with good premium rums as you bounce from one Caribbean Island to another.    This follow true almost anywhere you travel in the world these days, as rum distilleries are popping up in nearly any area where sugar processing is taking place.      All it takes is a ready supply of molasses.   Just get out there and be a bit of pirate and start your rum collection today.    The United States has several very good rums as well to get your collection started with.   ;o)

An Awakening on the Aft Deck

Sittin' on the back deck of my boat yesterday afternoon, got me thinking how blessed my life has become.    Living the way that I do down here in paradise and my involvement with the world of rum.     It really doesn't set in very often that this is not your every day normal way of life.    I'm actually going to get off of the rock for a week in a mid April for the Rum Renaissance in Miami, but usually when I go somewhere, the best part of the trip is arriving back home in Key West.     Sure I go to work virtually every day between the blog and the bar, but these too are things that I really enjoy doing.     Working with people that are here to have fun and play makes it fun for me too.  It's like attending a party every day, whether it is at the bar or just talking to people down at my favorite watering hole, it is really hard to separate work from play.

     It is really funny that it takes a "slow" afternoon with a friend on the boat to wake me up to the reality of living is a paradise like I do.      I guess that the name on the back of the boat really fits.      "Sanity Too", it's the real bonus of living, playing, and working on and around the thousands of little keys that make up the Florida Keys and our little corner of the world called "Key West".      Thanks for bearing with me as I am rambling about livi9ng and life in Key West, I really do like it here.   ;o)