The Signs of the Bacardi Family in Santiago de Cuba

Bacardi Villa in Santiago de Cuba Today

     The Bacardi family has left a huge footprint in Santiago de Cuba.  It was my pleasure to visit Santiago de Cuba and see all of the historic sites and enjoy the raw beauty of the city.  Santiago de Cuba has a small town charm and attraction that a large city like Havana lacks.  It is a bit of a small town feel that makes it really attractive. 

Museo de Emilio Bacardi Moreau

     The Bacardi family lived very well in Santiago de Cuba and made a large contribution to Santiago de Cuba's prosperity and politics during the family's tenure.
   The Museo de Emilio Bacardi Moreau was closed for restoration while I was there, but I did get to see the family house, the exterior of the Museum, and the Rum Factory.

     "Rum baron by day, freedom-fighter by

Bacardi Rum Factory

night.  Emilio Bacardi Moreau put his life and livelihood on the line to aid Cuba in its fight for independence from Spain."  Arrested, exiled and twice imprisoned for his beliefs and refusal to support Spanish rule, he was rewarded for his patriotism when he returned from exile to become the first freely-elected Mayor of Santiago de Cuba.  In 1960, the revolutionary regime in Cuba illegally confiscated all the Bacardi Company’s Cuban assets without compensation and forced them out of the country. The Bacardi’s lost their business and their home, but as history has proven, not their spirit. "

 

Hatuey Brewery formerly owned by  Bacardi

    In addition to the rum factory, Bacardi brewery is just down the street.  It is still in operation today producing Hatuey Beer for local consumption.  The Hatuey brand originated in Cuba and was owned by the Bacardi family. When the Cuban Government nationalized the brewery, the brand essentially split. While the Bacardi’s own the brand for the global market and produce it under contract, the Cuban government still operates a brewery in Santiago to produce this as a local beer for the locals.

Today the Former Bacardi Rum Factory produces a very fine line of Santiago de Cuba Rums along with several other rums including Havana Club 15 Year Old Rum.

     As you visit the distillery or the brewery the only reference to its former owners is the faded word "Bacardi" on a derelict unused conveyer belt housing that connects the two parts of the factory.

 

     .

Today is National Daiquiri Day

Ruins from the Old Daiquiri Mine

     National Daiquiri Day July 19! The Daiquiri is said to have been invented by Jennings Cox, an American mining engineer, who was in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American War. The name “Daiquiri” is the name of a beach near Santiago, Cuba, as well as an iron mine in that area. The drink was originally served in a tall glass packed with cracked ice. Sugar and lime juice were added over the ice, with two or three ounces of white rum completing the mixture that was then stirred with a long, wooden spoon. Eventually, the Daiquiri evolved to be mixed in a shaker with the same ingredients but with shaved ice.

Jennings Cox Daiquiri

     The Daiquiri has consistently gained popularity, especially during the hot, summer months. It has become the drink of choice for many to imbibe during Caribbean vacations, and has evolved into many different variations over the years.  This July 19, why not try something different than the traditional types of this frozen drink on National Daiquiri Day?

El Floridita Daiquiri

     The frozen daiquiri was the creation of Constante Ribalaigua Vert in his now world famous La Floridita establishment on Obispo Stree in Havana.  Arguably, Ribalaigua was the greatest mixologist of the mid-twentieth century.   Ribalaigua told Thomas Sugrue, a British writer, that his “only hobby is his work,” besides inventing a new cocktail practically every day, was to make sure that his customers got the best drinks and the best service, whether they were Ernest Hemingway, Spencer Tracy or the couple visiting from Des Moines.   He was still pulling shifts until he died, in 1952.

 

Enjoying the "Papa Doble" at the El Floridita

     Through the efforts of these two men, along with the fame of Ernest Hemingway's thirst  for the Daiquiri, we are able to enjoy these really great and unique cocktails at home or in your favorite cocktail lounge today.

What is New in Havana?

Nacional Theater in 2013

     The biggest change I have noticed in Havana is the clean up and the restoration of so many of the buildings.  Many of them were in pretty rough shape on my prior visits.  One of the most noticeable was the National Theater next to the Hotel Inglatera.   In prior years this building was black with soot.  Today it looks like a brand new building.  It has been cleaned and painted looking what I have to believe it did when it was first built.

Nacional Theater Today

     From the vantage point at the top of the Bacardi Building Tower it is plain to see how much has been accomplished.  Many of the major buildings and monuments have been or are being restored to their former beauty.  Looking from any direction you can see projects that have been completed and ones that are well under way.  El Capitolio, the building that was modeled after our Capitol Building in Washington DC, has been being restored for the past three plus years and the progress is just unbelievable.   In the foreground an old defunct Mall was being restored to become a 5 star resort with a mall on the ground floor.

     Looking toward the harbor you can see the waterfront buildings looking like new, as well as some of the other historic buildings in the area.  There is a stark contrast between the restored and the unrestored buildings.   The restorations are a huge cleaning up of the city and maintaining the character of the architecture of these beautiful historic buildings and statues.   If you look carefully you can see the huge statue of Jesus Christ, known as "The Christ of Havana", it stands on the hill above the arbor.  This too is undergoing a complete renovation as well.


     The Presidential Palace clean-up is nearly completed as well.  This incredibly ornate building stands out against the background of the harbor entrance and the old fort that guarded the city.   The view in any direction shows all of the progress that has been made in a short two years.  I feel like if I am able to return to Havana at some time in the future it will look like a brand new city.  It is so wonderful to see the improvements and how clean they making this city look.

    



Ron Santiago de Cuba 12 Anos

     A visit to Santiago de Cuba wouldn’t be complete without a visit the Santiago de Cuba Rum Factory to taste some of their excellent rums.  The former Bacardi factory is the place where this wonderful rum is produced today.   The old factory still looks much the same as it did when it was nationalized back in the early sixties.  Still located across the street from the train yard and is still using the pure waters from the Santiago de Cuba water aquifer.  

     This is rum that from the first sip to the long lasting smooth and flavorful finish will leave you with a huge smile on your face.   The oaky and spicy aroma leads you into the first sip that fills the palate with a very lightly sweet fruity and lightly peppery flavor.  The flavor slowly fades to a finish that keeps on going for such a long time.   I can sit and sip this rum all evening long and it never loses its appeal.

     When the Cuban rums come to the states either the 11 or the 12 anos expressions are among the ones you want to have at the top of your list.  All of the rums that come from Santiago de Cuba are very wonderful in their flavor, aroma and appearance.  I can’t recommend these any higher.

 

Port au Prince through the Windshield

Hillside Housing in Port au Prince

People headed to work

"Fresh" Poultry Sales

     Urban crowding is not an issue anywhere that I have ever been that can match Port au Prince, Haiti.  The houses and the people are stacked one upon another.   People and cars are jammed on the sidewalks and in roads.   Between the “human trucks” carrying their wares on their heads and livestock being sold on the city streets, this is a place that I have never seen the lies of before.  The people are very warm and friendly in the service industry and take very good care of us getting from place to place.  In the hotels, the service is wonderful and the food was very good.

 

    Unfortunately, we were not able to make connection with Alain from Barbancourt Distillery and visit the factory.   The plane was late arriving and we didn’t get into Port Au Prince until after 4:30 pm.  Our schedule didn’t allow us to go on Tuesday morning, as we were boarding an early flight to Santiago de Cuba.  

 



Gravel Roads

     The houses are stacked like cord wood one on top of the other with only stairs and narrow walkways between them if anything at all.  Some of the houses are very colorful and others are basic concrete grey and brown.    These dwellings are stacked on the lower hillsides and the better houses are further up the hills.  To fit 1,100,000 plus people into a city with as small a footprint as Port au Prince (13.92 Sq. Mi.), takes a lot of vertical building and very close together to house all of them.

Human Trucks
 

     I found this city to be very interesting to say the very least, the stark poverty to the 5 star hotel in which we stayed you could find very unusual things under one roof, car wash, restaurant and bank all in one shop.   Along the way to and from the airport, we found many things the likes of I’ve never seen before.  Veggies and produce on the sidewalks for sale in their version of a fresh market, and poultry still alive and sold right on the sidewalk.   People and cars seem to be in an almost continuous gridlock throughout the city.  It takes 45 minutes to go approximately 3 miles to the airport from the hotel.

MotoTaxi's

     Look out Santiago de Cuba we are on our way to see what this has to offer.   Really excited about the visit and all of the historic things to see there.   ;o)

 

Back in the Real World

     After eight days in the era of 1959, it is great to be back in the modern world with internet and everything.   Cuba was wonderful and very exciting to revisit in Havana and see for the first time in Santiago de Cuba, but I do miss many of the things that I take for granted in my everyday life.

     The photos and places that I have visited in the past 8 days will fill a year of stories, so I will be able to tell you about all of these over quite a spread of time.  I'm currently at the Reef Resort on the East End of Grand Cayman.   I'm a bit late this morning getting this out, but it was late when we got in here last night.

General Antonio Maceo and his Machete wielding Army

    I got the chance to visit many places in Havana that I have never been, as well as all the places of interest in Santiago De Cuba.  Today I will just show you one of the most impressive monuments that I have ever seen.  The park that contains the massive monument and park that honor General Antonio Maseo and his machete wielding soldiers located in central Santiago de Cuba.  This was a very impressive park and show how important winning their freedom from Spain was at the end of the 1800's.  The top statement was by Antonio Maceo and the bottom one by Jose Marti.  Sorry my Spanish is not good enough to interpret today.

     I'll have more to tell you about all of my adventures in Cuba, Haiti and Grand Cayman in the next few weeks.  ;o)

Brugal Rums Being "Revised Downward" by Edrington

Edrington, owner of The Macallan Scotch whisky, has been forced to write down the value of its Brugal rum brand once again due to "extreme difficulties" in its key markets.    

Announcing its full year financial results for 2014/15 to 31 March, Edrington said Brugal Rum had encountered "tough economic and competitive conditions" in Spain and the Dominican Republic, causing it to lose volume year-on-year.    

Brugal Rums

The group said Brugal's forecasted growth expectation has been "revised downwards", resulting in a write down of the value of the brand to £239 million. 

"Brugal's leading markets in the Dominican Republic and Spain were significantly affected by the global recession," said Suzy Smith, brand director for Brugal.   "Edrington has responded with a strategy of driving brand equity in core markets to position Brugal for the recovery, as well as building the brand in selected high-growth markets where the company has a strong distribution capability. 

"Brugal continues to be the leading rum in the Dominican Republic and Spain, where we now see a return to growth. Brugal is also growing in the US and Asia Pacific, regions that are home to the world's fastest growing premium spirits markets."

 

You can read more about this at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2015/06/edrington-writes-down-value-of-brugal-rum/

 

This marks the second year running that Edrington has revised the value of Brugal rum, reporting another "exceptional charge" of £274.8m in its 2013/14 full-year results.    Ian Curle, CEO of Edrington, said rejuvenating the Brugal rum brand will be a "key focus" for the group.

Black Coral Rum a South Florida Craft Rum

     A customer came by the Rum Bar in Key West the other day and asked I had Black Coral Rum, I had to admit that I didn't and I had not heard of it.  He informed me that it is a product of South Florida, made in Riviera Beach.  His inquiry got me thinking and so I did some research and found that this is another very interesting rum with its home in South Florida.   As soon as I find out who is distributing this rum you will be able to see Black Coral Rum at the Rum Bar.

    The cane fields of South Florida is the life blood of Black Coral Rum. Sweet cane molasses, made right here in Florida and with a smell that will make you wanting some shoofly pie.   Fermentations take place one at a time and under the utmost scrutiny, creating a consistent product run after run. Only the most clean, pure water is used in the creation of our rums, avoiding undesirable flavors. Once the mash has spent its time fermenting, the hand built custom still takes over and slowly heats the mash.    The brick fired stainless and copper still comes up to temperature creating a waft of sweet rum scent that fills the air, as well as alerts the neighbors of the daily event!

     Now this is where craft-distilleries differ from that of run of the mill production rums.   We make individual batches, thereby allowing us to separate the different types of liquids present in the still.   With taste, smell and skill these cuts are made.   Creating a rum from a multitude of flavors which the still produces is a distillers job, and it’s all by the master distiller.   Once the lighter alcohols are taken out, we have clean rum pouring out of the still for the next 24 hours.  This is where a distiller’s job is really done. Creating a rum that is not too harsh nor too bland. the art of blending. The still is allowed to run until the desired amount of tails has been collected into the main run tank, this is again all done by taste.   The fact that we could, collect all the rum and simply charcoal filter it like most distilleries do does not fly.

     The majority of the raw rum is aged in new charred White Oak Barrels, but  the other portion of the rum is aged in different types of barrels to produce a more complex finished product. After a time in the barrels the rums are blended to become Black Coral “Original” Rum.  I'm really looking forward to tasting this rum, between the enthusiasm of the people that visited me and the story of the rums creation process, this looks like it is going to be a very special one.   There is a Spiced expression as well. ;o)

Pedal/Sailing in the Keys

Sometimes you need to get rid of the power and depend on the wind and your pedal power.  This is an interesting sailing and pedaling kayak that sailed by the other day.  Looks lie it can be a lot of fun to take out on a sunny day in the Keys.

Iconic Saint James Distillery of Martinique Celebrates 250 Years

     SAINT JAMES Rum is celebrating its 250^th anniversary this year with a special commemorative bottling, a host of festivities on its home island of Martinique, and a worldwide marketing campaign.  

     SAINT JAMES Rum is one of the oldest rum brands, with the plantations first producing rum in 1765.  From the outset the brand was a pioneer in its category, being the first rum to create vintage specific blends, and designing an innovative square bottle in order to maximise storage and minimise breakage on the long sea-voyages to its original export markets.

     Today the iconic Rhum Agricole is still produced in Martinique, which has the only rum AOC (appellation controllée) in the world, and more precisely in Sainte-Marie, on the East coast of the island.  SAINT JAMES Rum is and has always been committed to quality, heritage, innovation and traditional expertise.  The special SAINT JAMES Cuvée 1765, a blend created in homage to the original 1765 style, is the epitome of the quality of the products it offers.  The brand is also at the forefront of the new mixology trend and has recently developed links with key stars in this field including top mixologist and barman, Stephen Martin.

      The week of 6-12 July, which traditionally marks the end of the sugar harvest, is set to be a key moment during the 250^th anniversary celebrations in Martinique. The programme includes visits around the distillery; masterclasses and tastings; and a live show culminating in the release of a commemorative limited edition 250th anniversary Carafe: an ultra-premium blend of six of the best SAINT JAMES vintages, including the exceptional 1885, presented in a luxurious glass flagon with embossed metal neck. To pay full tribute to SAINT JAMES rich history, other festivities will be taking place across the world including an anniversary party in Paris, multi-media advertising campaigns and outstanding point-of-sale promotions. This milestone anniversary will make 2015 a SAINT JAMES year!

For information on SAINT JAMES Rums and cocktail recipes http://www.saintjames-rum.com   Multimedia News Release, please click: http://multivu.com/players/English/7539251-saint-james-rum-250th-anniversary/

 

Pernod Ricard Denies Shortage of Rum when US Opens Up

     Pernod Ricard has said the company will have enough Havana Club for its core German market even if the US drops an import ban on the rum brand.

     Germany is the top European destination for Havana Club, which increased its market share in the country by 2% to 22% in Pernod's fiscal 2014/15. However, with the thawing of Cuban-US relations, the US could be about to allow the Cuba-made spirit back into the country.

     On a call with analysts today, Pernod's head of Europe, Middle East & Africa, Christian Porta, was asked if there was a risk the company would have to lower its Havana Club allocation for Germany if it started shipping to the US.

     Porta said: "I have no doubt we will have enough Havana Club rum to continue to grow, even if, or even when, the US market opens to Cuban rum."   This month, the Cuban government called on the US to allow the sale of Havana Club in the United States.

Summertime at the Beach

     "Summertime and the living is easy", but it is a time for consideration of others as well.  So many times the frantic explosion of energy throws sand in the face of others.    It is a time for fun and the release of pent up energy, but keep it under control wen you around others. 

     Please come to the coast and enjoy the sun

and sand, but when you arrive bring all of the things that you need for fun.  The most important thing is that the only thing that you leave behind you is foot prints.   Please take some time before you leave to leave the beaches and parks cleaner than the people before you did.

     Pleas enjoy your summer outings and make sure that the ones that follow you don't have to cleanup your messes.  ;o)

Haiti The First Day

A City of 10 Million Plus

     Port Au Prince, Haiti is a study in contrasts.  You have rough dirt roads that are lined with street vendors and cars running 3 and 4 wide.  You get in another part of town and the roads are smooth and paved beautifully.  There is a lot of construction going on through out the town, some related to the earthquake a few years back and others jus new buildings, stadiums and parks.





     From the 3rd floor window of our hotel, we have a beautiful view
of the mountains that are behind Port Au Prince.  The afternoon rain shower give the hillside a much deeper color and freshness.  Now there are some ominous dark clouds appearing from behind the mountain.  This light shower may bring some serious water falling from the sky real soon.



First View of the Haiti

     This is a very colorful place with the "Tap Tap" Safari buses and the colorful markings on the stores and businesses.  I wish that I had another day to explore this interesting city of more than 10 million people, but congestion is the word in the city.  It takes about 45 minutes to travel the 2 to 3 miles from the airport to the hotel.  I guess if they ever get the Rhum Festival to happen here that they tried to put together I would love to come back and see more.  Especially the Rhum Barbancourt Distillery.  Our plane arrived late and we weren't able to connect with the people from Barbancourt toget the tour that we were planning.  Next time will work.  ;o)

Special Resort Prices for Caribbean Rum and Beer Festival Attendees

     If you are planning to be in St. Maarten
for the Caribbean Rum and Beer Festival this November 6th and 7th, here is a great resort deal for you.  The festival is happening at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, and you can be in this fabulous all inclusive resort.  This price offering is just unbeatable for an all inclusive deal.  This is the 5th edition of the Caribbean Rum and Beer Festival and I'm looking forward to being a part of the event this year and getting back to St. Maarten with its beautiful beaches and all of the fine rums that are participating this year.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino

We are please to be partnering with one of St Maarten's premier 'All-Inclusive' premier hotels; The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino. The hotel is the venue for the 2-day Festival and we have worked with the Resort to bring our Festival Guests some highly competitive and deeply discounted resort rates.

Come join us as a Festival Guest and take advantage of this fabulous 'Limitless All-Inclusive' package on offer from our Festival Partner hotel the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino.

The 'Limitless All-Inclusive' package on offer at this beautiful resort includes;

• Champagne and cold towel check-in
• Full breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each day in any of the resort's 5 restaurants
• Unlimited international and domestic premium beer, wine and spirits, fruit drinks and soft drinks in all 5 bars, including the swim-up pool bar
• Mini-bar refreshed daily with soft drinks and bottled water
• Weekly manager’s cocktail party and beach dinner party
• Free WiFi in guest rooms and common areas
• Fitness center
• Scheduled daytime activities like aerobics, bocce ball, billiards, board games, darts, ping-pong, snorkeling, tennis and water aerobics
• Nightly theme parties, live entertainment and outdoor movies
• 21% Hotel taxes, utility and service fees
• Full exchange privileges* with Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa for a day of beach relaxing, sun basking and dining al fresco

* You must be over 18 years old, since Sonesta Great Bay is an adults-only resort.

Room Category	Double	Extra Person	Single
Premier Island View	US$145	US$125	US$200
Pool / Ocean View	US$155	US$130	US$215
Premier Ocean View	US$165	US$140	US$230

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Prices are per person, per night, all inclusive, based on a minimum 3 night stay which must incorporate both days of the Festival, 6 & 7 November 2015 (see special conditions)

This is a limited offer and is EXCLUSIVE to Festival Guests only. To qualify for this offer each adult traveller must pre-purchase a Weekend Ticket for the Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival (US$40 each). After payment online for your Weekend Festival Tickets, you will be emailed a Hotel Booking reference which must be used to access the discounted hotel rooms directly online with the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino.

These rooms will sell out. Avoid disappointment, buy your Hotel Weekend Festival Tickets and book your rooms today. (see special conditions)

- See more at: http://www.rumandbeerfestival.com/where-to-stay#sthash.VfLS3efn.dpuf

 

 

Make your reservations and get your tickets for the event early this year.  I'll be there to assist with the judging of the rums and I'm hoping to see many of my friends there as well.