Sunset from My Home to Yours

     Summer sunsets in the Florida Keys are absolutely the most beautiful anywhere that I have been.   I always enjoy shooting pictures of them where ever I happen to be down here in the Keys.  This day found me on the back of my boat in Sunset Marina.  It is all about the timing to get all of the colors to appear, and this one was absolutely beautiful.   ;o)

Appleton Estate Launches "From Jamaica with Love"

Marking Jamaican Independence Day on August 6, Appleton® Estate Jamaica Rum, the only premium rum crafted in the heart of Jamaica, unveiled its new brand campaign,

 “From Jamaica With Love.”

      From cane to cup, Appleton Estate owns and manages each stage of the production process at the Appleton Estate in the Nassau Valley. This valley, also known as ‘Cockpit Country’ located in the St. Elizabeth Parish of Jamaica, was formed 12 million years ago, providing a fascinating terroir of unique limestone hills, rich soil and deep, clear springs, imparting a unique character to the rums of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum expressions. “From Jamaica With Love” encourages consumers to venture off the beaten path and explore beyond the beaches to find the heart of Jamaica, the true Jamaica well beyond the stereotypes.

     “Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums are carefully hand-crafted in the lush, sun-drenched Nassau Valley, which has superb natural resources that contribute to the defining essences of our award-winning rums’ taste and character,”   “This new marketing campaign allows us to offer consumers a window into an authentic Jamaica – a Jamaica that delivers rum with a distinctive, rich and complex flavor found nowhere else in the world.”
“In order to be successful with this campaign, we made it a priority to send a team to Jamaica to experience first-hand the splendor of Appleton Estate and the Nassau Valley to capture the authenticity of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum,” said Jordan Warren, President, ARGONAUT. “As a result, the ‘From Jamaica With Love’ campaign gives a glimpse into the people, the beautiful Estate and the unique methods that create the only premium rum from Jamaica.”

     Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum unveiled the new marketing campaign on August 6, a day of national pride for Jamaicans, as they celebrate the  Jamaican Independence Day.   

     This is a really well don video, one that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.    It is a refreshing change in the rum advertisement and one that truly shows the pride of Jamaica.

See the Video at http://www.just-drinks.com/news/campari-unveils-appleton-estate-ad-video_id117793.aspx

Lunch with Malcolm L. Gosling II

Malcolm Gosling and Myself at the Casa Marina in Key West

     A phone call from John Wells of Southern Wine and Spirits and I'm off to the Casa Marina Hotel in Key West for a lunch with Malcolm L. Gosling II.  Malcolm was here in Key West, and an opportunity to meet with members of the world wide rum family is always one that can't be missed. Malcolm is a well educated young man who seems to really enjoy his place in the company.  He is a really great spokesman for the products and a fine all around person.  A Boston resident since 2004, and a full time employee of the family business.

   Malcolm's father  E. Malcolm B. Gosling has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Gosling-Castle Partners Inc., since April 2005, an export venture of Castle Brands Inc.   As President of Gosling-Castle Partners Inc, Mr. Gosling oversees the global exports of the Goslings rum brands into the United States and various other markets.   Since 2003 he served as President of Gosling Export (Bermuda) Limited, responsible for the production and shipping of Goslings rum, and serves as a Director of the Bermuda holding company.   Since 1989, Mr. Gosling also served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Gosling Brothers Limited, the parent company of Gosling Export (Bermuda). Mr. Gosling has been active with the family business for over 20 years, and represents the seventh generation of his family to be active in the business. Mr. Gosling received a bachelor of arts degree from Boston College in 1985.

    The family has been in the wine and spirits business since the the late 1700's in England.  In the spring of 1806 James Gosling, the oldest son of William Gosling, wines and spirits merchant, set out from Gravesend, Kent, England on the ship Mercury, with £10,000 sterling worth of merchandise, bound for America.     After ninety-one desperate days on becalmed seas their charter ran out, and they put in at the nearest port, St. George’s, Bermuda. And the rest, as they say, is history.

New packaging of Black Seal

   Black Seal claims an ancient Bermuda lineage, but it’s complicated. Generations of Goslings have indeed been blending rum in Bermuda since the middle of the 19th century. But only blending, the raw material, rum distillate, comes from Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad — Caribbean islands where sugar cane grows.   Bermuda doesn’t have enough arable land for a cane crop, and the climate’s not right.   The distillate arrives at 9 Dundonald St. in Hamilton in stainless-steel tanks, where it is aged between three and six years, then blended according to an old family recipe.   The portion destined for the local market stays behind. The rest goes back in the tanks, journeys by sea to Port Elizabeth, N.J., and thence by rail to Bardstown, Ky., where it is diluted, bottled, and cased for shipment coast to coast.

The New Gosling Gold Seal

     It was such a pleasure to spend some time talking with Malcolm and getting to know more about the family and the business that they have spent more than 200 years developing.  I see great things coming in the future for the Gosling Brand including the introduction of Gosling's Gold Seal coming around September.

Rumsploring Rat Key

     Yesterday was one of those beautiful August afternoons in the Florida Keys.  It was hot and
perfect for some water time.   My friend Mike Streeter and I decided to grab a bit of rum, good sippin' type from Siesta Key and Santiago de Cuba and explore a small uninhabited key just off of Key West.   Upon landing at the edge of Rat Key, we found it to be a wonderful little place to hide from the sun under all of the pine trees, add the cooling breeze off of the water and you have a perfect paradise.

     We decided on a great spot where we immediately broke out our "Red Solo Cups" and added a couple of cubes of ice followed by a nice pour of Santiago de Cuba Anejo Rum.   With rum in hand, like good explorers we started to wander around this wonderful little place and found a great area that some of the local sailors have been known to frequent.  This place had all the amenities for a great afternoon on a "Gilligan's Island" type of adventure.  There were chairs, benches and a fire pit.

     This was a pristine place for the most part, after exploring for a while it was time to add another cube of ice to the now empty "red solo cup" and  refill it with Siesta Key Limited Edition beer barrel aged rum .  Most of you know that I love doing a bit of exploring while sipping good rum.  It makes me feel like a pirate, especially when I find a great little uninhabited key to roam.

     We finished up our rum and grabbed the trash bag and walked about the key again and picked up some trash that had drifted up on the edges of the island.  I always like to leave a place better than I found it.  I love the saying, "take in all the place has to offer and leave behind only foot prints".  While we were picking up our stuff and getting ready to head back to the boat, we met a local on the island.  The good size hermit crab strolled by, greeted us and went upon his way.

     It was a great afternoon in a world removed from the usual and
one I will most likely visit more often.  ;o)

Rum an Affordable Sip Worthy Spirit

     I had to repost this article, I think that it just covers the subject of rum and its growing up to be a very fine and serious spirit that can hold its own with the whiskeys and the rest of the "classier " spirits.

By: Christine Sismondo Special to the Star, Published on Wed Aug 12 2015

Forget the cola and embrace a short glass of smooth rum that you can find without hurting your wallet.

 In the beginning, there was single malt. Then came tequila. After that, the bourbon boom.

What could possibly follow these tough acts? Even though forecasting trends is tricky business, it’s hard not to notice that there sure is a lot of buzz about rum. Not that stuff you spiked your cola with — instead, smooth and sip-worthy rum.

One of the reasons people are increasingly reaching for premium aged rums is that, in comparison with other high-end products, it’s pretty decently priced. You can find an excellent 12-year-old rum for under $40. Try doing that with scotch.

Delve into rum with this little premium rum primer:

It’s all in the name

Although there are exceptions, the vast majority of premium rums fall into one of three categories: agricole “rhum” from former French colonies; dark, aged “ron” from former Spanish colonies and “rum” from former British colonies, which was traditionally made in a pot still.

Rhum

Aside from the (French) spelling, the main distinction that sets agricole rhum apart is that it is made from fresh sugar cane juice, not the molasses that is used to make most other rums. It’s typically a little lighter-tasting and more expensive than other rums. Although the LCBO has carried the Haitian Barbancourt Rhum in the past, at the moment, there is no rhum at the LCBO.

Taste: To sample this absolutely delicious and refined spirit, head to Rhum Corner at 926 Dundas St. W, which has a steady supply of Barbancourt thanks to a private importer.

Ron

Rums from former Spanish colonies are typically made in a column still, then aged for a smooth character. Many distilleries in Latin America use the “solera” method, which involves blending old and young liquids to accelerate the aging process. Unlike an age statement on a cognac or whisky that guarantees a minimum length of aging time, a 23-year-old solera rum might contain some spirit that is only six years old. Some consider solera a shortcut, others are too busy enjoying the exceptionally rich and smooth flavor to care.

Taste: Made in Nicaragua, the rich, toffee-ish Flor de Caña Centenario 12-year-old is a bargain at $39.95 that makes for an excellent substitute for dessert. For a splurge, try the Ron Zacapa 23-year-old Centenario ($79.95), a solera rum from Guatemala that is liable to convert even the most stalwart whisky aficionado.

Rum

Some distilleries in former British colonies stick with tradition and continue to use a pot still, a less efficient and far more labour-intensive process that produces heavy, rich and flavorful rum. Most distillers blend the distillates from pot stills and the more efficient column still for a final hybrid product. Typically these rums have a lot of fruit, chocolate and coffee flavors.

Taste: Orange, chocolate and coffee come through loud and clear with Jamaica’s Appleton Estate 12 year-old ($39.95), a sweet (but not cloying) rum with a smooth body. To sample a blended rum (pot and column), try Guyana’s El Dorado 12-year-old, one of the most exceptional rums on the market ($38.65). The bar staff at Splendido agree and their “rum board,” a small bottle of El Dorado with two glasses, is served to every table for dessert as part of their acclaimed $170 tasting menu.

Read More at http://www.thestar.com/life/2015/08/12/rum-an-affordable-sip-worthy-spirit.html

Cruzan Announces New Summertime Flavor

     Cruzan® Rum announces today the addition of Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Rum to its impressive portfolio of premium, flavored rums. Available nationally, this refreshing new flavor blends fine Cruzan Rum with the essence of ripe blueberries and vibrant citrus to create a well-­‐rounded spirit bursting with the taste of fresh fruit.

     Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum takes lemonade, a classic summertime staple, to the next level by infusing it with the bright flavor of freshly picked blueberries. Like all Cruzan rums, Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum is crafted by Cruzan Master Distiller Gary Nelthropp, whose family has been making rum on the island of St. Croix for generations. It is made from natural ingredients including cane molasses and tropical rainwater, using a unique five-­‐column distillation process, staying true to Cruzan’s dedication to creating the cleanest-­‐tasting, highest-­‐quality rum on the market.

     “Cruzan continues to be a leader in the rum category and we see the demand for refreshing rum drinks continue to grow. This year, we created a new rum that would appeal to our loyal fans and new rum drinkers looking for a fun flavor option,” said Brendan Lynch, Senior Director of Rum & Cordials at Beam Suntory. “The combination of Cruzan Rum with sweet blueberries and fresh lemonade makes this perfect for anyone looking to create a refreshing cocktail that captures the spirit of the season.”

     Cruzan Rum recommends enjoying its newest flavor in an ice cold cocktail while embracing Cruzan’s “Don’t Hurry” mindset, which encourages rum fans to take the time to sit back, relax and savor every sip.

A Vestige of Changes in the Florida Keys

     The Bahia Honda Bridge is one of the vestiges of change that has taken place in the Keys over the past century.   Before Flaggler built his railroad, all supplies came to the keys by boat or possibly aircraft.   Flaggler's railroad built a series of bridges connection mainland Florida with the Keys.   After the hurricane of 1936 that bankrupted the railroad, the railroad bridges became the overseas highway.  The train and the highway gave the keys a connection that was reliable and practical to transport people and supplies the entire length of the keys.

     Today there is a modern highway to the north of the original Bahia Honda Bridge that exhibits both the rail bed and the highway on the same historic bridge.   The bridge is in very bad shape at this time and pieces are rusting and falling off of it regularly.  It is a doomed relic that you should see on your next trip up the keys.    It is not very likely that it will be around for too many more years.  They are not allowing people on the end of the bridge any more because of the deteriorating structure's instability.   ;o)

2015 National Rum Day

     Today is going to be a very special one, It is National Rum Day.  Today's "Rum Church" at the Rum Bar in Key West is celebrating all of the fine rums we have on our shelves these days.  If you are around today stop by and enjoy some the 246 different expressions that we have to offer you.

     The still below is a wood fired pot still that goes back to the early days of rum making in the Caribbean.  This is the basis of how we are able to enjoy all of the fine rums we have and enjoy every day.  

Chillin' Time with Siesta Key, Rum That Is.

     Taking a couple of days off just east of Key West at Bahia Honda State Park, I felt this was a
perfect place and time to try the two new bottles of Siesta Key Rum that just arrived yesterday.  Siesta Key Distiller's Reserve Solera Blend and The Beer Barrel Finish Limited Edition Spiced Rum Series are on the agenda for today.

     There is no better place to enjoy some nice rum than on the boat at a beautiful locale like Bahia Honda.  Today is a beautiful sunshine with blue skies and a few wispy white clouds to add dimension to the skies.  All of this feels good with the fine tastes of these two rums.  Neat is ideal, but in the warmth of the tropics a couple of cubes of ice doesn't hurt the flavor one bit.  The creamy flavor the honey and spice adds to the flavor of the smooth rum makes both of these rums wonderful as I let the day drift away in the sun.

     It seems that these guys at Siesta Key can't do anything wrong these days.  First the Distiller's Reserve, then the Toasted Coconut, and now the Limited edition Beer Barrel Finish.  I'm always excited when Troy and the gang at Drum Circle Distillery sit down and create a new expression.   Thanks, these two new expressions really made my days off in Bahia Honda just perfect.

2015 California Rum Festival

     The 2015 California Rum Festival will be taking place on September 12th at the Terra Gallery in San Francisco.   This is shaping up to be a great event with seminars by Ian Burrell, Richard Seale, Nicholas Ferris and Dean Serneel.   The tastings of so many fine rums, and getting to talk to the ambassadors from the rum produces from all over the world.

     The festival is broken up into two sessions.   The Spirit Industry Session consist of a 2 hour program offering industry professional the opportunity to: Network with brand representative, attend training seminars, taste a wide variety of rums Mingle with industry colleagues.    The Rum Aficionados "General Admission" Session consist of a 3 hours program offering the attendees the opportunity to Taste new rums, attend brand seminars, enjoy pleasant music and view mixology/flair show.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area on September 12th, make an effort to get by the Terra Gallery and see this fun and educational event.  This is a brand new tum Festival and has the potential to be one of the premier events here in America.  ;o)

Saint James Rum Will Celebrate 250 Years with a Commemorative Bottling of Saint James Cuvée 1765.

     St. James is celebrating their 250th Anniversary this year and has announced a very special launched the commemorative Saint James Cuvée 1765 bottling, in homage to the original 1765 style and recipe.   It is described as the “epitome” of the brand’s range. Saint James’ Rhum Agricole is still produced on the Caribbean Island, which has the only rum AOC – a decree for the “controlled destination of origin” – in the world.
expression for the occasion.   They
    

     St. James, which is one of the oldest in the world , will also host a series of festivities on its home island of Martinique, where it first began producing rum in 1765.   This, the brand claims, “ensures the quality” of the rum, which can only be produced from cane grown in the decree’s authorized areas.   Saint James says it was the first rum to create vintage-specific blends, and the first to design the square bottle, in order to “maximize storage and minimize breakage” on sea voyages to its primary export markets.   A statement from the brand read: “Saint James Rum is and has always been committed to quality, heritage, innovation and traditional expertise.

    One of the oldest rum makers in the world and still to this day producing high quality rums  250 years later.  This is a wonderful expression and a proper on to the occasion.   I hope that you get the opportunity to taste this fine example of the AOC rum process.  ;o)

 

A Visit to Cayman Spirits Company Distillery

     No trip for me would be complete without a visit to the Cayman Spirits Company Distillery in Georgetown.  It was good to see my friend Walker Romanica and the crew again.  It looks like we are
going to be able to bring the Seven Fathom Rum back to the Rum Bar in Key West very soon.  The Distributor is in Florida and as soon as all of the formalities are taken care of we will be putting it back on the shelf again.


     There has been some expansion of the stills and they are making some other spirits as well as the rums.   They have added a line of liqueurs and vodka to their inventory.  This is a unique vodka, because it is made from sugar cane.   The are in the process of adding a single estate rum to the list of rum expressions as well.



    

Museo del Ron - Santiago de Cuba

Bacardi Rum Factory Model

     This is one of the most interesting museums of Rum that I have visited.  It is not a glamorous
place, but rather austere, but has a lot of historical information that I haven't been able to find in other places.   I covers the rum industry not only in Santiago de Cuba, but the rest of Cuba as well.   There is a lot of good information about the Bacardi family's contribution as well as several other rum producers.  There is a great display showing the Cooperage tools and the "cooper" at work cutting barrel staves.

     "Encased in a handsome townhouse, it has a bar below so hidden away it's reminiscent of a speakeasy, but with a knowledgeable bartender on hand to serve you up their 'recommendations"



Maestros de Ronero in Santiago de Cuba

     The host was very knowledgeable on the history and the people that made Santiago de Cuba the true rum capital of Cuba.  It seems to be true even today.  The former Bacardi factory is still producing the finest rums in Cuba including the newly released Havana Club 15 Year Old.  The Santiago de Cuba brand rums are definitely among my favorites.  His knowledge of not only the Bacardi family's history, but the rest of the families that made Santiago de Cuba and the rest of Cuba a great rum country.



Ron Palau an early Rum Producer in Santiago de Cuba

     With Cuba becoming more and more accessible to Americans, Santiago de Cuba is a city that needs to be put high on the list of places to visit.  Whether your interests are rum or history, this city is packed with both.  The Museo del Ron is located in Santiago de Cuba at Bartolome Maso Number 358. 


Rum Distilleries in Cuba



2015 Edition of Papa Andres is Announced

     It is always exciting to hear about the introduction of the newest expression of Papa Andres luxury rum from the family's private reserves.  This is an exciting year because it was blended for the first time by a female blender.  There will be only 1,000 decanters of their fine luxury rum available for sale at a price of $1500.00 US each.  All profits are donated to the Brugal Foundation, which aims to support development and reduce poverty in the Dominican Republic.

 

     This year’s Alegría edition was created by the family’s first female master blender, Jassil Villanueva Quintana.   Papá Andrés is a luxury rum from the Brugal family’s private reserve named in honor of the company’s founding father, Don Andrés Brugal Montaner.   This year’s edition is named Alegría – which means “joy” in English – and has been crafted by master blender Jassil Villanueva Quintana, a fifth generation member of the Brugal family.   The Alegría decanters were designed by acclaimed Spanish designer Javier Mariscal, inspired by” the color and warmth of the Dominican Republic and its people”, to capture the feeling of “alegría de vivid”, which translates as ‘joy in living’.   In keeping with the theme, each decanter is hand-painted by students from The Altos de Chavon School of Design in La Romana.

     It is described as “viscous and silky on the palate, a well-balanced rum with subtle, light, sweet notes of vanilla and Sherry”.   Marisca has also illustrated a collectors book to accompany the expression, described as “a unique way to discover the story of Papá Andrés – and the story of Brugal itself”.

     Since the company was founded in 1888, each generation of the family has put a small amount of their “most exceptional” rums aside.   Since 2013, a small portion of the rum is extracted from the resting casks and used to blend the limited edition Papá Andrés bottling which is then made available to the public.   The cask is then replenished with a selection of that year’s best aged rums, and laid down again.

You can read more about this at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2015/08/edrington-unveils-2015-edition-of-papa-andres-rum/

 

    

Visiting Mom in Raynham

Carol Leonard, my Mother
 

     This week was a busy one, but I did get to spend a day with my mother on Tuesday up in Raynham, Massachusetts.  It was a great chance to see her and spend some time together.  We had a great lunch in town and got home just ahead of the rain.  I did enjoy seeing her and spending the afternoon talking and reminiscing.  The old house and yards look wonderful especially on a rainy summer afternoon.

The Family Farm in Raynham

2015 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION RUM RESULTS

     The Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition awards many different spirits, wines and mixers.  Today on this blog the interest is in what rums did well in the competition.   Below are the winners in the Rum Category.

BEST OF CATEGORY - RUM 

Cruzan Black Strap Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Dark (Unflavored) $17.99

94 Points  

GOLD MEDALS 

Cruzan Black Strap Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Dark (Unflavored) $17.99

94 Points 

Cruzan Single Barrel Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Gold/Amber (Unflavored) $29.99

93 Points

Blue Water Caribbean Gold Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $24.00

92 Points

Bacardi 1873 Solera

Rum (Cane Spirits), Gold/Amber (Unflavored) $22.99

91 Points

Reed & Lacey California Gold

Rum (Cane Spirits), Overproof Rum $46.49

91 Points  

Richland Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Rhum Agricole (Unflavored) $60.00

91 Points

Sugar Island Coconut Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Rum (Flavored) $19.99

91 Points

Bacardi Reserva Limitada

Rum (Cane Spirits), With indication of age (Unflavored) $109.99

90 Points 

SILVER MEDALS

 Bacardi 8

Rum (Cane Spirits), With indication of age (Unflavored) $22.99 

Bacardi Gold

Rum (Cane Spirits), Gold/Amber (Unflavored) $14.99  

Bacardi Oakheart

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $22.99

BlackMask Spiced Pacific Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $14.00

Cruzan Aged Dark Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Dark (Unflavored) $11.99

Marauda Rum Steelpan

Rum (Cane Spirits), Dark (Unflavored) $35.00

Sammy's Beach Bar Rum Red Head

Rum (Cane Spirits), Rum (Flavored) $24.99

Shellback Rum Silver

Rum (Cane Spirits), White (Unflavored) $17.00 

Shellback Rum Spiced

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $17.00

Sugar Island Spiced Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $19.99

Tiburon Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Gold/Amber (Unflavored) $34.99

Zaya Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Dark (Unflavored) $34.99 

 BRONZE MEDALS

 Cruzan Aged Light Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Gold/Amber (Unflavored) $11.99

El Ron Prohibido Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Rum (Flavored)

Rogue Hazelnut Spiced Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $35.15

 

PACKAGING AWARD

El Ron Prohibido Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Rum (Flavored)

Container- Silver

Shellback Rum Spiced

Rum (Cane Spirits), Spiced Rum $17.00

Illustration- Bronze

Sugar Island Coconut Rum

Rum (Cane Spirits), Rum (Flavored) $19.99

Illustration- Gold

Yellow Bird, Mystery Cocktail of the Caribbean

Yellow Bird Chilled

     Named for a song written by Haitian songwriter, named after the song Yellow Bird, the English version of the Haitian song Choucoune written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Keith, and popularized by Jamaican singer Harry Belafonte, The Yellow Bird has kind of disappeared from modern cocktail menus.   It has many versions that seem to be the version of the locale from which you find it.  There seems to be no one claiming to be the one that invented, but its home is definitely the Caribbean.  

     The version I like the best is one of the simpler ones, and served daiquiri style in a cocktail glass.  There are frozen versions as well as ones served on the rocks, but I think the intent of the cocktail was to be chilled and served in a cocktail glass.

Yellow Bird on the Rocks

   The Yellow Bird

• 1 1/2 oz. Diolomatico Blanco Rum
• 1/2 oz.    Galiano Liqueur
• 3/4 oz.    Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• Juice of 1/2 Fresh Lime

Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until really chilled.  Strain into a cocktail glass or a rocks glass filled with fresh ice  Garnish with a cherry and a lime wheel.

     There are some versions that use Banana Liqueur and orange juice and pineapple juice or even crème of coconut, but this seems to be the one that most of the reputable sources use.  I tried one made with Plantation Pineapple Rum, it is also absolutely incredible.   Try some experimenting to get it to your taste, it is a really great summer cocktail.   ;o)