The Baths at Virgin Gorda

     One of the many beautiful places in the British Virgin Islands is Virgin Gorda and in particular the Baths.  This is an outcropping of granite in a place where you rarely ever see granite.  This outcrop looks like someone just dropped a huge pile of enormous boulders at the seashore and went away.  Crawling around these boulders and between them is a great adventure and one you ill never forget.

Chilly Nights and a Warm Hot Apple Toddy

     The first really chilly evenings have landed in the Keys, and it is definitely time to bundle up and enjoy a hot apple toddy as I enjoy the sunset on the aft deck today.   What to make this with, I have a taste for a good spiced rum and a friend gave me a bottle of King Ginger Liqueur some time back I want to try.   Good pure apple juice, warmed up and the addition of a great spiced rum and a little bit of ginger flavor, I think that will do it.

Siesta Hot Apple Toddy

·         2 oz.  Siesta Key Aged Spiced Rum

·         1 oz.  King Ginger Liqueur

·         6 oz. 100% (Not from Concentrate) Apple Cider

·         Fresh Ground Cinnamon

·         Couple of drops of Fresh Lemon Juice

Warm a coffee mug in Hot Water, add rum, ginger and apple juice warmed for about 1 minute in a microwave, stir, and garnish with a a couple of drops of lemon juice and fresh ground cinnamon.

     This is just what the doctor ordered, it is really flavorful, not to sweet and just perfect to take that chill off on these chilly evenings.   Make some of this up for the evening's enjoyment and take the chill off of you evening.  

El Dorado and Demerara Introduces the Rare Collection of Single Still Expressions

The Basis for the Rare Collection

     In 2016, the Demerara Distillers Launches Rare Collection range: a limited selection of three rum single and at full proof.  The Demerara Distillers has adopted the concept that Velier created about fifteen years ago The first three expressions will be under the El Dorado label.    The Demerara Distillers has adopted the concept that Velier has created about fifteen years ago in creating his Diamond Rums and in its collaboration with the distillery has taken him around the world, helping create the myth of Demerara rum.
      The Rum “Diamond” 1999 Demerara - Velier 15 Years is a new Demerara product of Velier family, it is a diamond of Guyana, a land of South America. After the 2014 trip, Luca Velier has selected that spirit, whose flavor leaves you unarmed. Situated between a fruit liqueur and a rum, the harmony of tones that dominates nose and palate is a real surprise. Its medium-light body comes from the use of the Diamond Still, a double column Coffey Still, and is a pleasure to taste, suitable also for the palates that love simpler products. That 1999 rum can be distinguished from other diamonds, the other “Diamonds”, in particular from the 1996 one, for its smoked, interesting, unique shades. Velier family have made 1137 bottles, which are the symbol of a high quality work that belongs to ancient culture and profession, famous all over the world and boasting a circulation dating back to the ships of Christopher Columbus. A real treasure!

    The parent rum is Demerara, branded El Dorado, and has chosen the rum of the three 'legendary' wooden stills.   The wooden double pot still, Port Mourant, the wooden single pot Versailles and the column coffey wooden still, Enmore, these stills produced the rums that were selected in 1993.   We are pleased and excited because the rum is really sensational. 

The 2016 Rare Collection

     Demerara has a long and stellar history in the sugar and rum business and her are a few highlights.

http://www.eldorado-rum.com/

1790 – The most popular in the United States are the Demerara rum.
1813 – Guyana passes from the Netherlands to England, and knows a new expansion. Distilleries were built alongside the sugar mills.
1900 – Guyana is the second biggest exporter of rum after Martinique.
1900-1950 – Bookers, the largest manufacturer of Demerara sugar, controls the production of rum.
1952 – All the distilleries annexed to its sugar refineries are incorporated in the Guyana Distilleries.
1960 – Even the distillery of Uitvlugt is incorporated.
1975 – Guyana Distilleries is ceded to the State, which builds the Guyana Liquor Corporation.
1976 – Incorporation of Guyana Distilleries, Demerara Distillers and Diamond Liqueurs in Guyana Liquors Corporation led by Yesu Persaud.
1978 – Inauguration of the new bulk terminal in Georgetown, Demerara River.

1992 – El Dorado brand is launched.

These three single still expressions as sure to be ones that are incredibly hard to get your hands on an I'm looking forward to at sometime this year getting o at least taste them.

Siesta Key Rum a New Style of Rum on the Horizon

Experimental "Double Thumper" Pot Still

     I visited Troy Roberts at the Drum Circle Distillery yesterday and he showed me a laboratory "Double Thumper" still where he has been doing some experimenting on some new rums.   This is a pot still that has a pair of rectifiers before going into the condenser.   This is the classic still that goes back hundreds of years as the one at River Antoine Distillery in Grenada.

River Antoine "Double Thumper" Wood Fire Heated Pot Still

     These stills produce a full bodied, full flavored rum.   America is starting to enjoy rums that are more than just a straight white unaged mixing rums.  Today's rums are full flavored and I don't mean added ingredients, but rather rums that the distiller and blenders have put the effort in when creating the rum rather than adding artificial flavors to make you think they they had done their homework.

"Double Thumper Juice"

     Troy is excited about developing new rums from this style of pot still.  His first experiments are showing some great potential, I tasted a sample at full 130 plus proof and the flavor is absolutely wonderful.    Troy promises me that there will be some really wonderful expressions coming from this still.   I thoroughly enjoy the rums at their full strength because you can really taste all of the work and effort that the distiller put into it.   These are true rum, they still have the flavor of the molasses from which they came.

     The future of Siesta Key Rums is a very bright one, mostly because Troy is not afraid to try new things in the distilling and aging methods.   Everything that has come to me from Drum Circle Distilling has been really great.  It is always a pleasure to receive a new expression from Siesta Key Rums.

U.S. Diet Guideline are Out for Drinking Age Adults

     The 2015 Guidelines define moderate drinking for adults of legal drinking age as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.  According to the Guidelines, if consumed in moderation, alcohol "can help individuals achieve healthy eating patterns."

     The whole idea of having a balance between food and booze in your diet.  According to the U.S. guide lines, "a standard drink - or a one drink-equivalent - as 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, 5 ounces of wine and 12 ounces of regular beer.  The Guidelines point out that each of these standard drinks contain 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol."    

     Also worth noting is that for the first time, a suggestion on putting a cap on sugar consumption.   No more than 10 percent of your daily calories intake should be sugar.   Eggs and cholesterol are off the bad list, but limiting salt is highly recommended.   The consumption calories that contain lean protein, fruits and vegetables and drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day can also be part of a healthy diet, according to the guidelines.   By law, the Dietary Guidelines serve as the basis for the federal nutrition policy.

     I have my doubts about some of these things, especially that much coffee and not watching out for things with high cholesterol.   As far as the alcohol goes, there is no mention of weight and size of the person when they say how much they can consume.  Not too bad overall though, I believe that a well balanced diet is the key to healthy living.   ;o)

The Cathedrals and Basilicas of Cuba

Russian Orthodoc Cjurch

     In my travels through Cuba, one of the most remarkable places I visited were the churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas.  Both Santiago de Cuba had many remarkable structures dedicated to their belief in God.




     In Havana there were three that really stood out for me.   First was the Russian Orthodox Church near the harbor.  It was a clean white with a gold color Russian style dome.   I really stands out as you walk through the marina area.

Basilica de San Franisco

Basilica de San Francisco

     In the area of Port of San Francisco, there was the Basilica of San Francisco.  This was a very old stone basilica that was very majestic and a classic catholic church in design and appearance.

Plaza de la Cathedral

     In the more central part of Havana is the Plaza de la Cathedral.  With its huge plaza filled with
tables and chairs, it has become a favorite of the locals for lunch.  The cathedral is not open to the public, so it can only be observed from the outside.

Basilica Iglesia Cathedral

     Traveling to the Eastern end of the island, you will find Basilica Iguesia Cathedral in central Santiago de Cuba.  This Cathedral has a huge plaza in front that the public use on a regular basis.  This is another of the beautifully maintained religious sites in Cuba.



     The most impressive of all of the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of Cobra.  Located just outside of Santiago de Cuba in the town of Cobra (Meaning Copper) surrounded by the copper mines that keep the area working.  This Basilica is the on that the Pope has visited several time in the past few decades, including in 2015.

Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of Cobra

A Very Special Thanks

     Six of my regular customers of mine for the past six or so years called me today today to get together to give me this very special handmade wall hanging.   A very special and heart felt thank you to Barbara, Terry,Mary Kay, Chris, Maureen and Brad for thinking of me and making this wonderful and bringing me this really cool piece.  Look really close at all of the detai all over the bottle, completely mind blowing.  Thank You again!

Reflecting on a New Journey

     I often sit on the aft deck and reflect on the day as the sun drops into the sea.   Today I'm reflecting on the possibilities that are coming together for the new year.  What a beautiful reflection in the waters.

Bajan Evening Cocktail

     I had a bottle of Real McCoy 12 Year Barbados rum staring at me today and it gave me an idea for something new.   It as cocktail time on the aft deck again and I wanted something like an "Old Fashion", so I went to work.

Bajan Evening

• 2 oz  Real McCoy 12 Year Old Barbados Rum
• ½ oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• ¼ oz. Agave Nectar
• 2 dashes Fee Brothers Old Fashion Bitters

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all ingredients. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.  It can also be served by straining into a rocks glass with fresh ice.

Give this one a try, I think you will be surprised with the smooth and flavor brought to your palate.

"The World's 50 Best Bars" Top Ten Rums

     The "The World's 50 Best Bars" has issued their annual report on what rums are the best selling in their bars and those that are the best trending.    World’s 50 Best Bars Annual Report is the new name for the Brands Report and the Cocktail Report combined.  The Best Selling list is based on bottles sold while the Trending list refers to on-trend brands that are being requested right now but are not necessarily sold in high volumes.

      For a rum that is being made in a country that does not believe in "commerce", after the sale of half of the Havana Club brand to Pernod Ricard, the strength of the brand world wide has grown immensely.   The battle of Bacardi and Havana Club is one of inches, not miles it was only 5% more of the bars fell to Havana Club over Bacardi.

     Ron Zacapa and Diplomatico are leading the trending side of the report.  It is impossible to be among the best selling from the back of the bar, but to be the most talked about in these days of premium rums that are being requested rather that just simply poured from the well.

     There are really no surprises on either list on my mind, these are the ones that are being poured and requested in better bars all around the world.   Most bartenders that serve rum on a regular basis will tell you this is the list of the strongest rums in the worls.  Soon I hope that we will be able to offer the fine rums of Cuba here in America like the rest of the world gets to.

Read More at http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/5809/World_s_50_Best_Bars_Annual_Report:_How_we_did_it.html

This is a Novel Approach to Beating a DUI

“Drunk driving charges against a woman in New York have been dismissed after it was revealed she suffers from auto-brewery syndrome – a rare digestive condition that turns food into alcohol.”

   The 35-year-old teacher stopped in New York this past October when the police received reports her Toyota Corolla was “weaving all over” the road.   When pulled over and tested, she recorded a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit at 0.33%.   Police alleged that she failed several field sobriety tests, including standing on one foot and talking and turning heel-to-toe – but the woman, who has not been named, insisted she had consumed no more than three drinks in the six hours before she was pulled over.

     Her lawyer, Joseph Marusak arranged to have medical professionals monitor his client for a day to ensure she did not consume alcohol and to take several blood samples for testing.   She also bought a breath test kit and blew into it every night for 18 days, registering around 0.20% every time.   After several assessments, the woman was diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome, and was prescribed a low-carbohydrate diet that brought her symptoms under control.

     Her case was dismissed, leaving her free to drive without restrictions, however prosecutors are seeking to have the charges against the woman reinstated.

     Read More at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2016/01/woman-proves-her-body-brews-alcohol-to-beat-drink-driving-charges/?article-source=newsletter&source=595&date=2016-01-05

     This is one of those  bazaar stories that only could happen in the American Jurisprudence,  Lawyers can find a way around almost anything.   I guess it is more power to them for their creativeness.   I wonder if they can tap that production and sell it for a profit?   Great possibilities there.

Thinking Back on Antigua

     Antigua is one of those beautiful islands that really fascinates me.  The combination of the sights
and history, then adding in the wonderful rums produced there.




     I think about a day on a motor scooter cruising around the island.  Leaving  St. Johns we head out into the countryside seeing the small farms and open country.  As we cruise to the east headed toward Devil's Bridge.   As we went through St. George Parish then to St. Peter Parish, we enjoyed the open rolling hills of the this part of the island.  As we approached the Devils Bridge, we encountered wild donkeys along the side of the road.

    The Devil's Bridge is an eye full of the power and beauty of the ocean as it attacks the rocky cliffs of the eastern side of the island.    I could have spent the whole day at the Devil's Bridge, but it was time to head south toward Nelson's Dockyards in Saint Paul Parish on the south coast of Antigua.

    Admiral Nelson's Dockyards is a great historic site.   It is filled with museums that show all of the history and ships that found shelter here.  It was a place for the British Fleet to go to for repairs and even a bit of R and R for the sailors.   It is a fairly long trip down to the dockyards, but a worthwhile one.   The beautiful harbour and historic buildings are great.

     Leaving the Dockyards' we headed down to the beautiful St. Mary Parish coastlines. We had to pause at the beach to enjoy the sights there and dry off a bit after encountering a wet ride through the rain forest.

   

   Now it is time to head back to the north and return to St Johns.   This portion of the trip takes us through more of the countryside at the base of the mountains of the southwestern side of the islands and back to the city and the English Harbour Distillery for an education about the history and the making of rum on the island.
   
     Time for a sample of fine rum and a much needed rest of the back side that has spent quite a bit of time this day bouncing along the country and dirt roads around the island.

New Evening Cocktail for 2016

     I was in the mood for something that had a more sophisticated flavor last night so I went out into the rum lab and created a new idea.  This actually turned out to be really wonderful.  Fine rum, citrus flavors and the spiced rum floating on top.

     Give this a try I think that you will find it very refreshing and satisfying.  This is another one of those on the aft deck evening cocktails, but no matter where you enjoy your cocktails this is one that you might revisit several times.

Bahama Bob’s Caribbean Sidecar

• 2 oz CartavioXO
• 1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon 
• 1/4 oz. Agave Nectar (Optional)
• 1 Tsp. Siesta Key Spiced Rum

Mix or shake all ingredients, except Siesta Key Spiced Rum, with cracked ice in a shaker. Pour or strain into large chilled cocktail glass or snifter. Float Siesta Key Spiced Rum on top.  Garnish with a Lemon Twist.  If it is a bit too tart for you just add about a 1/4 oz. of Agave Nectar to sweeten.

Appreciating The Rums of the Past

     I had an opportunity to enjoy tasting a pair of rums that were produced by Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay, BVI.   Though this is not a rum that would fit onto my list of favorite sippers, it has a place in the collection.  This is an unaged white rum that hasn't been filtered or played with after being distilled in a wood fired pot still. 

Callwood Still

     Callwood Distillery is the oldest continually operating distillery in the world, and their methods haven't change a bit.   Although they don't have all of the latest equipment that the large and modern distilleries do, it still produces a consistent rum as it did in its early days.

River Antone Cane Crusher

     River Antone Distillery in Grenada is in a similar situation.  They crush their sugarcane with a water powered crusher, and separate some of the sugar out of the mash and then ferment it in open fermentation tanks before going into their wood fire heated pot still.   

    Like the Arundel Rums, "River" is a pure classic rum that is available in high proof expressions of just plain pure rum.

River Antone Still

Colors of a New Year

     A new year offers many  new opportunities and colors to get you started.   We all make resolutions and plans to improve or just to put a little bit of change into our lives.   The new year is like a new coloring book that you get to put your own personal imprint on.  It is up to you to put the color into your book to make it great and fitting for you.

Global Rum Consumption

The IWSR Magazine

By Daniel Mettyear

November issue

    Global round-up Global rum consumption has been on the slide. The market lost 7.7million cases between 2011 and 2014 and, according to the IWSR's latest Forecast Report, little change is expected as the global rum market is predicted to shed a further 4.4 million cases by 2020. In the past this could have been firmly attributed to continued losses in the large low-priced and value-oriented markets such as India and the Philippines (which account for 40% of global rum consumption), but in 2014 eight of rum's top 10 markets faced volume declines - France and Cuba were the only markets to remain in the black. For the rum industry this news is cause for concern, but no reason to panic; while some declines are down to a more general move away from rum, others are being caused by premiumization, as the drinking less but better mantra applies. Indeed, the global premium-and-above rum market now sits at around 6.75 million cases, having risen by an impressive 7.7% in 2014. Only premium-and-above gin grew faster. Furthermore, this vein of good form is set to continue as the IWSR expects premium-and-above rum to add another 1.8 million cases by 2020.

     This is a good/bad situation, it makes me very happy that the premium and ultra premium rums are showing growth, but the overall drop is reason for concern.  It is going to take some work by those of us in the rum world to get the category back on track.

2016 Offers a Chance for Rums to Soar for New Heights

     Today we are starting a new year, one that looks to have a lot of promise for the rum industry.  During the past few years there has been a growth of the premium and ultra-premium expressions in the category.    2016 looks like a year that the labors of the category will start to show some rewards.  Many of the larger brands have added new expressions and the possibility of brands from Cuba finally arriving in the United States will all have an effect for the rum sales here in the United States.

     “The next big thing I think people have been waiting on is sophistication and premiumization of rum,” said Frank Quinones, managing director, Botran Aged Rum. “The premium segment is accelerating more than the standard and white rums.   I believe today, compared to five years ago, we have made quantum leaps within rum. There are a lot more premium rums now on offer and our time will come because rum is extremely flexible and versatile.”

     Quinones statement is pretty much right on the money in my eyes.   The time spent in the past few year developing these fine quality rums will start to come to fruition.   I see the introduction of many premium white rums as well as the traditional dark expressions and an indicator of what is to come.   

     “The attractiveness of the rum category comes exactly from its very big diversity,” said Stéphanie Labasque, global marketing & commercial director, Groupe BBS, Trois Rivières Rhum. “These new brands will allow the rum category to answer the needs of new rum consumers.”   


     The Craft Rum sector of the category is another area the I see huge growth here in America during 2016.  There are s many great small batch distilleries here in America that have grown up to the point where they are a significant part of the picture in 2016.  


      The United States is one of the largest consumers of rum in the world.  As such, all of these new brands and expressions are going to be huge for those of us that already enjoy our rums, but will also help to attract new people to the category.   The United States is the largest consumer by volume and the second largest based on value.  In the past, we have not had the access to many of the premium rums that the rest of the world enjoys, and hopefully this year more of the premium expressions will be on our shelves for our enjoyment.

Today Puts a Final Sunset on the Year 2015

     2015 has been a very interesting year.  Between the events of the world, and this nation, and so many wonderful things that have happened as well.   For me it has been a year of wonderful new places and adventures.

     2016 is going to one of change and heading out into a new world of adventures.  I see myself smiling and enjoying this year as one that brings more happiness to everyone around me and around the world.

     Happy New Year One and All

The Living Winter in the Keys (Part Six)

     Saturday Day Spa time, the birds have gathered by the watering hole for some preening and bathing.  It is so cool to watch the sea gulls all bathing in the same place.  It seems like a social event not unlike us visiting a day spa.   Just another sight that make the winter such a beautiful place down in the Keys.

The Living Winter in the Keys (Part Five)

The soaring birds remain throughout the winter, they fill the skies with a beauty and awe that is hard to believe.  These large and amazing birds always have my attention when they are overhead.  Today we see the Frigate Bird and the Osprey as they soar over my head.