When on the Marin County side of the bay, I saw seagulls, but as I moved inland to the Civic Center area the birdlife changed dramatically. It was a change from sea eco system bird to one that can survive in the "asphalt jungle" of the city.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Pink Pigeon Launches New Bottle During London Cocktail Week
The wonderful floral flavors of vanilla will be coming to you in a new bottle in the very near future. Pink pigeon is launching their new bottle as part of Cocktail Week in London October 6 - 12.
“Pink Pigeon has dropped its
iconic black bottle in favor of a transparent design.” “While the London-based drinks retailer and
brand owner, Berry Bros. and Rudd described the former matte black Pink Pigeon bottle as “elegant and
luxurious”, the group has opted for a new clear design to make the amber hue of
the rum more noticeable.”
Luke Tegner, Brands Marketing Director, Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits, states: “In order to lead the discussion with the trade and consumers on the ever-growing world of spiced rum, we will be conducting Spiced Rum master classes during London Cocktail Week providing insight on the three botanicals which give Pink Pigeon its distinct flavor profile. This gives a perfect opportunity to unveil our clear glass bottle with showcases the rum so well”.
I'm looking forward to the arrival of the new bottle to make the appearance of the rum visible to the customer and let their eyes draw them in to the beautiful amber mahogany color of the rum as it sits on the shelf. Eye appeal of the color of the rum is a very important part of the rum's overall appeal. ;)
Friday, October 3, 2014
Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum
My visit to California last week for my 50th High School Reunion found me in quite a dilemma, there was virtually no sipping rum at any to the bars or liquor stores that were around the hotel. At the bar I had a choice of Bacardi, Captain Morgan or Myers. These are fine for mixing, but I was looking for a sipper. I walked into a liquor store just down the street from the hotel and ran across the usual suspects, but off in the corner was a bottle of "Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum ". This is a rum that I stock at the Rum Bar, and I remember that it was a good tasting and smooth rum that had been lost in my mind, because it just really wasn't that well known about.
I went ahead and bought the bottle and took it back to my room where it became my drink of choice for the remainder of the weekend. This is a very shippable rum that has notes of sugar cane and then comes the real surprise. This is an overproof rum
with 42.8% ABV making it a bit warm on the palate. There is a peppery flavor initially and some fruitiness that leads to the mild burn of the finish.
I went ahead and bought the bottle and took it back to my room where it became my drink of choice for the remainder of the weekend. This is a very shippable rum that has notes of sugar cane and then comes the real surprise. This is an overproof rum
with 42.8% ABV making it a bit warm on the palate. There is a peppery flavor initially and some fruitiness that leads to the mild burn of the finish.
It’s
a classic 7 year blended dark rum, from the first drop of Old Monk Rum, the
sheer aroma of distilled cane sugar grown in lush green fields of India, stirs
up the age old legend. Old Monk Rum is a form of the legendary “Som-ras” of
India's centuries old scriptures--The Drink of Gods and Lords of India.
For me I found it to work well over the rocks, but I really enjoyed this rum the best with some sugar free Vita Coco Coconut water and ice. I found myself sipping this blend most of the evening as I reminisced with my classmates. The reunion was a memorable event in my life, but the Old Monk Rum did a wonderful job of providing me with a good rum in an almost "rum free" area.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
First Visit to Smuggler's Cove.
When you talk about Rum and Tiki Bars in the United States, there is nothing to compare with Martin Care's Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco. I finally had the opportunity to stop by his place and I was not disappointed. Unfortunately Martin had an appointment and was not able to be there, but my first impression of the place was one of awe. The three story bar from the out side is easy to miss, but once you get inside the door and see all of the decorations and memorabilia you won't ever forget the place.
The huge selection of rums and the eclectic collection of unique artifacts make the place come alive in the true tiki tradition. Located on Gough Street in San Francisco, and very hard to find, the sigh on the door is the only that you see as you drive down the street. I had to park my rental car and walk down the street and still almost missed it.The decorations will draw you back again and again. Every where you look there is a series of unique and fun decorations that will blow your mind. The place is located at 350 Gough Street in San Francisco. This is one of the don't miss places in San Francisco.
The visit was a very short one, but I was really impressed with the vibe and the decor of this iconic place just a couple of blocks from the Civic Center in San Francisco. If you get some time to spend in San Francisco, this is a place you don't want to miss. It is one of the best rum bars in the world as well as a fantastic tiki bar. Martin Cates is a fellow rum judge and a good friend, so if you have some time to burn in San Francisco, you need to visit Martin's establishment.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
How Low Will the NTSB Go with Legal Blood Alcohol Limit?
Al.com
By Sarah Longwell
September 15, 2014
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is on a
mission to lower the legal drunk driving limit to .05. For a 120 pound woman,
that would spell jail time for having just one drink and then driving.
Over a decade ago, public safety advocates convinced
Congress and state lawmakers that lowering the legal limit from .1 to .08
percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) would save 500-600 lives per year.
But lowering the legal limit hasn't been the promised panacea to our nation's
drunk driving woes-alcohol related fatalities still account for approximately 1/3
of all traffic deaths, a figure that hasn't budged since .08's passage.
There's an obvious reason why the move to .08 didn't have
the life-saving impact that advocates hoped it would: most accidents don't
happen between .08 and .10. And they certainly don't happen between .05 and
.08. Rather, over 70 percent of alcohol-related fatalities are caused by
drivers with a BAC limit of .15 or higher.
It's these high-BAC drunk drivers we must target with our
laws if we want to take a serious bite out of the drunk driving problem. Only 1
percent of traffic fatalities are caused by drivers with BAC levels between .05
and .08, so by what twisted logic does it make sense to focus our efforts on
those drivers?
The NTSB is the first federal traffic agency to officially
endorse a .05 legal limit. The American Medical Association, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and other public
health organizations already support a lower standard.
Interestingly, some of the other usual suspects haven't
jumped on board. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have decline to endorse the policy. At
least for now.
Read more at http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/09/how_low_will_the_ntsb_go_with.html
This issue keeps raising its ugly head again and again, but the fact that the lowering of the legal limit from .1 to .08 had no effect on the number of fatal auto accidents what makes them think that lowering it to .05 will have any more effect. I see this in the same vein as Prohibition they are just going to make social drinkers that have one or two cocktails outlaws and have no effect on the chronic drunks that are the real source of the problem. ;o)
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate

No trip to the San Francisco Bay area would be complete without a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and stop at the Vista Point on the Marin County side of the bridge. Not only do you get an incredible view of the bridge, but you see the entire San Francisco skyline.
Alcatraz and Angel Island can be see to the east of the bridge, along with all of the sailboats that are dotting the waters everywhere on the bay. As you gaze through the incoming afternoon fog, you can see the Bay Bridge, that is quickly being obscured by the afternoon fog as it rolls through the Golden Gate and into the bay.
On of the most beautiful sights along the waterfront of San Francisco is the Palace of Fine Arts on Lombard Street. The Gold Dome and the magnificent stucco exterior you can see all the way from Sausalito.
Monday, September 29, 2014
High School Revisited 50 Years Later
![]() |
| Gym and Quad Awalt High School, Mountain View, CA |
Talking with so many of my classmates this
past weekend show me that many of them found themselves in the same situation. Most of them have gotten themselves into a place that they found out that they really wanted to be, and are like me very happy with their lives. Many are traveling all over the world and others are happy spending time with grand babies and family. Either way, most are very happy the way that their lives have turned out.
My Daddy use to tell me, "not to let my studies get in the way of my education", something that I didn't understand at the time.
Today it was following what my gut has told me and becoming educated through my life that has taken me to a very happy place today. You rarely ever know how things are going to turn out, but if you are afraid to try, you will never go anywhere. I try to follow the idea, "if it feels go do it" and not be afraid to get out there and enjoy your life. ;o)
Sunday, September 28, 2014
An Interesting View of California from High Above
After a 6 hour flight to California it was nice to see the old familiar territory as we let down over the south end of San Francisco Bay. Moffett Field, Mountain View, Los Altos and San Francisco Bay. This area was my home from 1956 until 1989, and hold a lot of memories of my youth. Last night was my 50th High School Reunion and has brought back so many memories and a chance to see so many friends from those days.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Siesta Key Distiller's Reserve: Fall Cocktail Time
Autumn has arrived and the chill is already being felt in the northern sections of the globe. It is time for some of falls wonderful flavors like cinnamon and apple cider.I just received a wonderful Distiller's Reserve Siesta Key Rum that has been calling me to create a new fall cocktail. The rum is absolutely wonderful and so flavorful on it's own, but when mixed with the flavors of fall it becomes a new fall standard cocktail.
Color
Season Apple Cider
- · 2 oz. Siesta Key Distiller's Reserve Spiced Rum
- · 2 oz. Apple Cider
- · ½ oz. Amaretto
- · Juice of ½ Lemon
- · Fresh Ground Cinnamon
- · Cinnamon Stick
Place all ingredients except the cinnamon in a shaker filled with ice
and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and grind cinnamon
on to the top of the cocktail and lay a cinnamon stick in the glass as a
garnish.
and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and grind cinnamon
on to the top of the cocktail and lay a cinnamon stick in the glass as a
garnish.
Try this wonderful, although hard to find rum and you will really enjoy it neat, on the rocks or mixed in your favorite fall cocktails. This one is a real winner and I hope you can find it for your
fall consumption. If you can not find the distiller's reserve the standard Siesta Key Spiced
Rum is the only substitute for the Color Season Cocktail. ;o)
Friday, September 26, 2014
Traveling to San Francisco
![]() |
| Awalt High School Class of 1964 |
Facebook and the social media have fortunately allowed me to stay in touch with many of my friends over the past years. This 50th reunion will give me a chance to see many of them again. We are getting together tonight for a fun welcome party then tomorrow we have the actual reunion in Sunnyvale, California.

As usual I'll keep you apprised of all the fun and interesting experiences of the trip each day, but it is going to be a short one and will be returning on Monday to Key West.
If time permits, I will be stopping by Martin Cate's Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco. If this works out, I'll have a full report for you when I return.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
This Bartender's Pet Peeves
Like so many other bartenders around the world, I to have some pet peeves while I'm working. Of course you know about all of the funny things that have been posted on You Tube, but some of the more basic things that many don't even notice are the ones that bring many bartenders to the brink.
I wonder sometimes if I came into some of the people's offices and acted like they do in mine how long I would be allowed to stay before being thrown out. Things like insisting to be served before the other people that have been patiently waiting ahead of them. In my work place we make all of our cocktails from scratch, and they take some time to complete. I make an effort to give each cocktail the time it takes in order to be able to present the customer a fine tasting product.
On the same vein, I find it to be aggravating to have a crowd of waiting customers and then when it is their turn they haven't even thought about what hey want. When the bar is full of thirsty patrons waiting for their turn to order and they have to wait for an indecisive person that would rather be texting instead of thinking about what they want.
I really enjoy the customers as a rule, but when I am "in the weeds" sometimes it is hard to be the cheery guy behind the bar and stay focused on the job of making the best cocktails possible with people trying to shout their orders or want to talk to me when I have 10 orders on the rail being constructed. Mistakes take time and any distractions from what I am doing will result in a longer time lapse before other customers will get their cocktails.
I guess that my pet peeves really relate the people with a strong "me" personality. I have many fabulous customers that all deserve and get the same quality service, impatience just slows the entire process and makes everyone in the bar uneasy.
I wonder sometimes if I came into some of the people's offices and acted like they do in mine how long I would be allowed to stay before being thrown out. Things like insisting to be served before the other people that have been patiently waiting ahead of them. In my work place we make all of our cocktails from scratch, and they take some time to complete. I make an effort to give each cocktail the time it takes in order to be able to present the customer a fine tasting product. On the same vein, I find it to be aggravating to have a crowd of waiting customers and then when it is their turn they haven't even thought about what hey want. When the bar is full of thirsty patrons waiting for their turn to order and they have to wait for an indecisive person that would rather be texting instead of thinking about what they want.
I really enjoy the customers as a rule, but when I am "in the weeds" sometimes it is hard to be the cheery guy behind the bar and stay focused on the job of making the best cocktails possible with people trying to shout their orders or want to talk to me when I have 10 orders on the rail being constructed. Mistakes take time and any distractions from what I am doing will result in a longer time lapse before other customers will get their cocktails.
I guess that my pet peeves really relate the people with a strong "me" personality. I have many fabulous customers that all deserve and get the same quality service, impatience just slows the entire process and makes everyone in the bar uneasy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Ian Burrel's London RumFest Goes for a Guinness World Record
The Rum Experience
on 9 October at London’s Hotel ILEC – which will be hosted by global rum
ambassador and The RumFest founder, Ian Burrel – will be able to take part on a
sensory journey, sampling six different aged rums from different countries.
The tastings will be lead by brand
representatives including Joy Spence, master blender of Appleton Rum; master
distiller Roberto Seralles, master distiller of Don Q; George Freegard, head of
rum procurement for Pusser’s Rum; John Georges, master distiller of Angostura;
Asbel Morales Lorenzo, master blender of Havana Club; and Tito Cordero, former
Golden Rum Barrels Awards winner, of Diplomatico.
Tickets to the event cost £10 per
person. For more information on The Rum Experience visit The RumFest website at
www.rumfest.co.uk.
Ian is the world's foremost rum ambassador and always puts on one of the finest events anywhere. If you are going to be in the UK during the weekend of October 11 and 12, this is a must see and taste for the rum lover. ;o)
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
The Rob Ron Cocktail
Based on the famous Rob Roy, the blended Scotch version of the Manhattan. "Named after the title character in a Sir Walter Scott novel, Rob Roy was a Robin Hood-like figure." This is an exciting cocktail that brings out the naturally produced flavors of the Doorly's XO rum. it is a perfect blend that is perfect for an evening cocktail.
Bahama Bob's Rob Ron
Bahama Bob's Rob Ron- 2 oz. Doorly's XO Rum
- 1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- Dash of Bitters
Monday, September 22, 2014
10 Myths About Drinking Visited
Here is an article that I ran across in Drinks Business, by Neal Baker. He does a great job of dealing with 10 myths about the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
This is the myth that drinking too much
– be it beer or anything else – can cause one’s gut to expand to
orbit-inducing proportions. In fact, a beer belly is much more
likely to be caused by food than beer or any other type of alcoholic drink.
Yes, beer can contain a surprisingly high number of calories, but one would
have to drink a fair bit to match the calorific intake of even an average
meal, healthy or otherwise. The beer belly, should you suffer from
one, can also be blamed on your genes. Yes, that’s right! Researchers who
rounded up 2,000 able-bodied Czechs to test out this theory discovered that
weight gain was a result of the calories you consumed – nearly all of which we
get from food – and not the beer you drank.
The potentially toxic/hallucinogenic
thujone that supposedly causes the psychoactive effects of absinthe only shows
up in negligibly small trace amounts. The whole reputation of absinthe is
based on a very simple fact: It was a strong, no-frills, cheap liquor, and thus
favored by big drinkers who couldn’t afford fancy wines and beers because of
the sheer amount of their intake. It was also favored by famously
‘unstable’ figures of days-gone-by, such as Vincent Van Gogh and Charles
Baudelaire, so they may have added to this transcendental reputation of the
spirit.
This is the suggestion that a quick
soak in a cold shower along with a giant cup of black coffee can, among other
techniques, help a person to become sober faster. Unfortunately the truth is the most
boring and obvious fact that the only way to sober up is to let your body
process the alcohol naturally. Obviously, this takes time, which is
why it is tempting to look for a quick fix. The beautifully simple
mathematical equation of coffee (stimulant) + alcohol (depressant) = neutral
sobriety, sadly, doesn’t work.
Mixing what one consumes in an
evening’s drinking is, as the myth goes, the reason behind either excessive
drunkenness on the night or excessive pain the morning after. This is again a very simple myth to
unravel, as it is down to the bare fact that drunkenness – and by extension,
one’s hangover – is solely dependent on the amount of alcohol one consumes, not
the form in which it arrives in the body.
Even the most ardent beer fans would be hesitant to claim that beer is good to rehydrate after exercise. However, research has suggested that beer can rehydrate athletes better than water for three key reasons: one, that beer’s vitamins and minerals offer health benefits that water doesn’t have; two, that the carbonation helps quench thirst; and, three, that the carbs help replenish energy stores. Moderation is key, however.
As comforting as a late-night snack can
be after an evening’s drinking, that pizza or those cold
leftovers will do very little to sober you up or reduce the severity of
those hangover pains.
This is only six of the myths, there are four more you can enjoy reading about at http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/top-10-drinks-myths/?source=US&date=10-4-14
I hope that you have had as much fun looking at these legendary myths as I have. ;o)
Even the most ardent beer fans would be hesitant to claim that beer is good to rehydrate after exercise. However, research has suggested that beer can rehydrate athletes better than water for three key reasons: one, that beer’s vitamins and minerals offer health benefits that water doesn’t have; two, that the carbonation helps quench thirst; and, three, that the carbs help replenish energy stores. Moderation is key, however.
As comforting as a late-night snack can
be after an evening’s drinking, that pizza or those cold
leftovers will do very little to sober you up or reduce the severity of
those hangover pains.
By the time that pizza hits the
stomach, the vast majority of the alcohol consumed that night has already been
absorbed into the body. And the craving for greasy food won’t help
the liver metabolize the alcohol any faster. In fact, the combination of alcohol and
greasy food can actually contribute to acid reflux, meaning one might feel
even worse in the morning. If you want food to help slow down
alcohol absorption, consume a snack or a meal before you start drinking, as this can help to pace the body’s intake of alcohol
and process it more smoothly (i.e without the deathly feelings the next
morning).
This is only six of the myths, there are four more you can enjoy reading about at http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/09/top-10-drinks-myths/?source=US&date=10-4-14
I hope that you have had as much fun looking at these legendary myths as I have. ;o)
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Sprinkling Today
Today there is a light breeze, a few raindrops and incredible reflections on the water. It is a day to enjoy from under cover and a point of relaxation.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Tiburon Rum: Premium Crafted Small Batch Aged Rum
I received a bottle of 4 year old Tiburon Rum yesterday and I was in for a real surprise as I sampled it. This is the rum that Basil Destefano created out of his love for the spirit. "I have been a big rum enthusiast for years! I kind of always thought I wanted to have my own rum, but never was able to find one worth putting my name on." That was until he made contact with the people at Travellers Liquors in Belize. This partnership has produced a fine new rum that has a full bodied and exciting flavor.Tiburon rum is aged in several different types of barrels first, then blended together by the master blender, the placed in bourbon barrels for a second resting. The rum is a blend of small batch four, six and eight-year-old rums. Tiburon Rum is producing 12,000 bottles a year to start with and see what the demand will allow in the future.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Poker Run and Bike Week in Key West Begins

The 2014 Phil Peterson Poker Run is upon us here in Key West this week. Thousands of classic and custom motorcycles will be lining Duval Street and all of the trappings of the fun times when motorcycle people get together in Key West every year. It is time to join all of us down on Duval Street and see these fantastic machines.
"Known as Phil Peterson’s Poker Run, over 10,000
riders from all over the country enjoy this classic motorcycle ride. Starting in Miami, they rumble their engines all the way to Key West, crossing over the many bridges to our island paradise. During the Phil Peterson Poker Run, the motorcycle riders make 5 stops and draw a card at each stop. At the end of the ride, the person who draws the best hand wins! Plus, if you draw one of the top 10 hands, you get a chance to play one round of Texas Hold ‘Em at Cowboy Bill’s on Duval Street! This Round begins on Saturday Night at 11:00 pm and features a winner takes all – a brand-new Sportster 883 Iron!"
"In addition to poker game, Key West blocks off 8 blocks of Duval Street for the Phil Peterson Poker Run, where a huge bike show is held in front of Rick’s, Durty Harry’s, and Sloppy Joe’s Bar on Saturday, September 20th. Locals, tourists, and bikers enjoy this mini-Mardi Gras with its carnival atmosphere, music, food, and cold beer!"
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Real McCoy Rums Joins DAVOS Brands
Baily Pryor and Guillaume Cuvelier have joined forces to take "The Real McCoy" Rums national. "Crafted in the prohibition tradition of
America’s pioneer rum runner, Bill McCoy". The Real McCoy expressions are
hand-crafted aged rums from the Barbados distillery of Richard Seale made from the finest molasses and
purest spring water. These rums are a combination of column and pot still rums and aged in American Oak whiskey barrels in the traditional style,
yielding a clean, smooth and flavorful rum. Richard Seale a very special rum producer, believes in an honest rum with no additives of any sort, thus the pure honest flavors that make this rum "The Real McCoy. A multi-award winning line including a
3-year-aged, 5-year-aged, and 12-year-aged rum. Perfect for sipping or creating your premium cocktails,
it’s truly "The Real McCoy"!![]() |
| Pryor Baily |
![]() |
| Guillaume Cuvelier |
I've taken a real liking to the brand from the start and I'm really proud of Baily Pryor and Richard L. Seale for their fine work and dedication to take this really fine rum to the national level and making it available through our the states in the near future. ;o)
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Sailor Jerry Announces New Bottle and Label Coming Soon
Sailor
Jerry’s new bottle is embossed with the brand’s anchor design and dates. The label has been divided into two areas giving
more prominence to the iconic hula girl.
The new bottle shape just introduced will hopefully carry the new and
progressive image of the brand. The rum will not be changed, but William Grant and Sons company is stepping up all of its brands up with new labels and bottles that are here to raise the level of the brands.
“In a competitive category, the changes have
been made to ensure Sailor Jerry remains prominent in the on and off-trade
sectors and reflect the values of craftsmanship, independence and originality
Sailor Jerry was built on.” “The new packaging has been introduced to
align the brand’s look and old school feel with the premium, authentic nature
of the spirit,” said Riana Gallagher, Sailor Jerry senior brand manager.There are six new Sailor Jerry pin-up girls the brand has added on the inside of the front label that can be removed giving the collector a chance to add the girls to their collection.
The new Sailor Jerry bottles will be available in September, keep an eye out for them in your local liquor stores..
.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Classic Rum Cocktails Evoke thoughts of the Tropicana and Carmen Miranda
The classic rum drinks, mojitos, daiquiris
and Cuba Libras, are having an exciting renaissance. After a visit to the Tropicana just outside
of Havana last year, I got the feeling that rum and the classics are coming
back. “RUM is not a blank slate. It's a
spirit that offers plenty of character and personality. Nonetheless, white and
amber rums are known as cocktail ingredients, married with everything that
Carmen Miranda can offer.” While
enjoying the show at the Tropicana, I was waiting for Carmen Miranda to step
out and offer me a fruity cocktail with a wonderful Cuban flavor.
The more that I experiment with new ideas,
the more that I find the classic base cocktails to be the best starting point
for new cocktails. The classic idea of
“something strong, something weak, something sour and something sweet” are the
real basis for some of the best cocktails.
·
2 oz. Plantation Grand Reserve Rum
·
2 oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
·
Juice
of ½ Lime
·
Dash of
Bitters
Combine
all ingredients in a tall shaker filled with ice. Pour into
an ice-filled old-fashioned glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)














