Got Rum? J A N U A RY 2 0 2 6
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f r o m t h e g ra s s t o yo ur g l a s s , s i n c e 20 01!
2026
COOKING WITH RUM - Angel’s Share CIGAR AND RUM PAIRING - The RUM MIXOLOGIST The Rum Historian - THE RUM LABORATORY RUM IN THE NEWS - THE SWEET BUSINESS OF SUGAR
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22 Got Rum R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 2
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Contents
JANUARY 2026 5 From The Editor 6-9 T h e A n g e l’ s S h a r e - R u m R e v i e w s 10-13 C OO K ING WI T H RUM 14-17 T HE r u m m i x o l o g i s t 18-19 T HE RUM UNIVERSI T Y ® LI B R A R Y 22-25 T h e r u m h i s t o r i a n 26-29 T HE r UM l ab o r at o r y 30-33 RUM IN T HE NEWS 34-54 T HE SWEE T B USINESS O F SUG A R 56-59 T h e HIS TORY A ND S C IEN C E O F T HE B A RREL 60-63 C IG A R A ND RUM PA IRING
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G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 226 6 - 3
® Got Rum? Printed in the U.S.A. A publication of Rum Runner Press, Inc. Taylor, Texas 76574 - U.S.A. Tel/Fax +1 (855) RUM-TIPS © 2026 by Rum Runner Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
January 2026 Edi tor and P ubl i sher:
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Executi ve Edi tor:
margaret@ gotrum. com
C i gar and Rum:
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A ngel ’s Share: paul @ gotrum.com Rum Hi stori an:
marco@ gotrum.c om
Rum i n the New s:
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F RON T C OVER : Ri se A nd Shi ne INSIDE S P RE A D : A Jump Of Fai th
F ROM T HE EDI T OR
Transformative Change Change has always been difficult to cope with: many people and organizations regard it as a hurdle or obstacle that must be avoided. Others view it as a failure in the planning process, and fewer ev en -perhaps the wisest- embrace it as an unavoidable consequence of life/business. Every day is a good day to evaluate if changes are needed in our routines or in our professional or spiritual outlooks, but early January seems to be a particularly powerful time of the year to do so. Most of us have read the headlines or have experienced the news first-hand: businesses ar e shutting down, economic forecasts are being downgraded, people are losing their jobs and consumer trends are reflecting these uncertainties. Many of our readers are distillery or brand owners, many more are employed at different levels by the distilled spirits industry, so I know that these words paint a very real picture for them. Last month I wrote that the USA lost 25% of its craft dis tilleries between August 2024 and August 2025, and the industry reports pointed at a much darker figure by the end of 2025. Even giants, such as Jim Beam, are being affected by the adverse conditions, so how are the small players supposed to survive? Philosopher and writer Alan Watts (19151973) famously wrote: “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” He also advocated that clinging to permanence is as futile as clinging to a single note of music in a song. But Simple Change and Transformative Change are very different in their impact and longevity. To design and implement true
Transformative Change, you must have not only a concise blueprint/vision of t he result, but also a clearly defined execution plan that is broken down into quantifiable, atomic, actionable items. I invite you to set time aside for solitude contemplation of change, then to engage in collaborative brainstorming sessions with your friends or colleagues. As always, I’m available to discuss approaches or to lend a helping hand executing change strategies. Don’t underestimate your ability to change, once you fully comm it to the plunge, like Alan Watts cleverly stated. Cheers!
Luis Ayala, Editor and Publisher http://www.linkedin.com/in/rumconsultant Do you want to learn more about rum but don’t want to wait until the next issue of “Got Rum?”? Then join the “Rum Lovers Unite!” group on LinkedIn for updates, previews, Q&A and exclusive material.
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 26 - 5
T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE by Paul S e nf t
Kula Toasted Coc onut Rum
M y nam e i s Paul S enf t - Rum Rev i ewer, Tast ing h o st , J udg e and Wr iter. M y ex p l o r at i o n of Rums b e gan by l ear ning to c r af t T ik i c o c k t ails fo r f r i ends. I qui c k ly l ear ne d t hat n ot all r ums are c reate d e qually and t hat t he uni quene s s of t he spir it c an b e as var i e d as t he l o c al e s t hey are f r o m. T hi s inspire d m e to t r ave l w it h my w i fe ar ound t he C ar ibb ean, C ent r al A m er i c a, and U nite d S t ate s v i sit ing di st ill er i e s and l ear ning ab out h ow eac h o ne c reate s t heir r ums. I have als o had t he p l easure of l ear ning f r o m bar tender s, b r and ambas s ado r s, and ot her ent husiast s f r o m ar ound t he wo r l d; eac h o ne p r ov i ding t heir ow n uni que p o int of v i ew, adding an ot her c hapter to t he m o der n sto r y of r um. T he de sire to share t hi s info r mat i o n l e d m e to c reate w w w. Ru m Jo u r n ey.c o m w here I share my ex p er i enc e s and rev i ews in t he h o p e s t hat I woul d inspire ot her s in t heir ow n ex p l o r at i o ns. It i s my w i sh in t he pag e s of “ G ot Rum? ” to b e your h o st and p r ov i de you w it h my imp re s si o ns of r ums availab l e in t he wo r l d mar ket . H o p ef ully my t ast ing n ote s w ill inspire you to t r y t he r ums and make your ow n o pini o ns. T he wo r l d i s f ull of g o o d r ums and t he j our ney i s al ways b e st ex p er i enc e d w it h ot her s. Che er s!
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 6
A few ye ar s ag o, I rev i ewe d Kula O r g ani c r um an d m ade a n ote to rev i ew t h e ot h e r r ums in t h e line. W hil e sh o p p in g I sp ot te d t hi s ex p re s s i o n an d de c i d e d it was t im e to rev i s it t hi s r um line. T h e Kula Rum line i s m anu f ac ture d o n t h e i s lan d of M aui, H awaii, by H awaiian S e a S p ir it s LLC, al o n g w it h a vo dka, gin, an d sp i c e d r um. T h e c o mpany fe r m e nt s f r e sh su g arc ane jui c e, t h e n di st i lls it to c r e ate t h e r um us in g c o lumn st ills. T h ey c laim to us e de e p o c e an mine r al wate r as par t of t h e ir b l e n din g p r o c e s s. Fo r t hi s r um, t h ey us e Kula O r g ani c r um as t h e bas e an d t h e n inf us e to aste d c o c o nut to c re ate t hi s p r o duc t . A f te r t h e inf usi o n, t h e r um i s b l e n de d to 3 5% A BV an d b ot t l e d fo r di st r ibut i o n. Appearance T h e 75 0 m l c usto m de s i gne d b ot t l e has a b lac k o paque w r ap w it h g o l d s c r ipt g o in g d ow n t h e f r o nt of t h e b ot t l e. T h e b ot t l e i s s e al e d w it h a ye ll ow s c rew c ap. T h e lab e l s are sm all an d p r ov i de t h e minimum info r m at i o n re quire d to s e ll t h e p r o duc t . T h e new b ot t l e de s i gn i s an imp r ove m e nt ove r t h e o r i ginal an d i s muc h e asi e r to han dl e. T h e li qui d i s a s of t ye ll ow p r im r o s e c o l o r w it h bit s of c o c o nut susp e n d e d in it . S w ir lin g t h e r um p re s e nt s a t hin ban d t hat sp ins of f f ast m ov in g l e g s t hat evap o r ate qui c k ly, l e av in g b e hin d b e ads an d re s i due in it s wake. Nose T h e ar o m a of t h e r um i s t h e ex p e c te d c o c o nut fo r war d, swe et vanilla, an d f r uit , w it h a mine r al t an g at t h e e n d of t h e ex p e r i e nc e.
Pa l a t e T h e f ir st sip d e li ve r s a balanc e of bare ly sm o ke d c o c o nut , f r uit jui c e, min e r al s, s alt , an d bak in g c ar am e l. T h e m o ut hfe e l i s t hin an d un d e r w h e lmin g, as ad dit i o nal sips p r ov i d e a pap e r y f lavo r f lat n e s s t hat c o mbat s unp l e as ant ac i dit y an d c h e mi c al /mine r al f lavo r s in t h e p r of i l e. T hi s c o mb inat i o n of f lavo r s unfo r tunate ly fo r ms t h e f ini sh an d lin g e r s o n t h e palate fo r quite s o m e t im e.
W h e n I t r ave l to n ew l o c at i o ns, I am al ways inte re ste d in t r y in g p r o duc t s m ad e in t hat st ate o r c o unt r y. I had s e e n Kula in H awaii an d d e c i d e d n ot to purc has e it du e to t h e s ize an d we i g ht of t h e o r i ginal b ot t l e d e s i g n. Sadly, exc e pt fo r t h e n ew b ot t l e d e s i g n, t hi s p r o duc t was a c o mp l ete di s ap p o int m e nt . W h e n evaluat in g f lavo r e d r um s, I al ways ask t h e qu e st i o n, “ D i d t h e c o m pany suc c e e d in c aptur in g t h e d e s ir e d f lavo r s? ” In t h e c as e of t hi s p r o duc t , t h e c o m pany was c o mp l ete ly unsuc c e s s f ul. T h e to aste d f lavo r was o nly li g ht ly p r e s e nt an d ove r w h e lm e d by s o m e of t h e ot h e r n e g at i ve f lavo r s in t h e p r of i l e. D u e to t hi s, w h e n mi x in g it w it h ot h e r in g re di e nt s, t h e n e g at i ve asp e c t s of t h e r um d o minate, c r e at in g n e g at i ve f lavo r ex p e r i e nc e s. T h e r e ar e f ar sup e r i o r to aste d c o c o nut r um p r o duc t s in t h e m ar ket p lac e, an d I r e c o m m e n d c h o o s in g o n e of t h o s e b efo r e p ur c has in g t hi s r um.
w w w.oc eandistiller y.c om
Rev i ew
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 26 - 7
T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE by Paul S e nf t
Trovador Inspirado Double Bar rel Aged Rum T he Tr ovado r Inspir ado r um br and was c reate d in h o no r of t he b r and ’s c ultur al ambas s ado r, Raul M al o, t he G r ammy w inning lead singer of t he M aver ic ks. T his r um is a blend of t hree r ums t hat are ag e d fo r a minimum of t hre e year s. Two of t he r ums are dist ille d in t he D o minic an Repub lic , and a t hird “ Cuban st y le” r um of unk now n o r i gin is t he f inal par t of t he blend. To g et her t hey are t r ansp o r te d to t he U nite d St ate s to N ashville, Tenne s se e, w here t hey are put in new A mer ic an w hite oak bar rels and f inishe d fo r an unsp e c i f i e d am ount of t ime. T he f inal pro duc t is blende d and b ot t le d by C o lto n Weinstein and Kev in Trevat han at 4 3% A BV. Appearance T he 75 0 ml b ot t le is seale d w it h a wo o den - c app e d sy nt het ic c o r k se c ure d w it h a l o g o e d pap er st ic ker w r app e d ar ound t he to p. T he mult ic o l o re d lab els pr ovi de a subst ant ial am ount of info r mat i o n ab out t he r um and t he inspir at i o n b ehind it s c reat i o n. T he li qui d is a so li d g o l den amb er in t he b ot t le t hat li ghtens to a st r aw c o l o r in t he glas s. S w ir ling t he li qui d c reate d a t hic k band t hat spun of f mult ip le r ounds of le gs befo re b eading up and leaving a r ing of re si due around t he glas s. N o se T he ar o ma of t he r um leads w it h br ow n sugar tof fe e and et hy l alc o h o l
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 8
note s t hat are fo ll owe d by dr i e d f r uit and a p o p of blac k p epp er. Bak ing spi c e note s and toaste d oak, w it h a nip of ac eto ne, round out t he no sing ex p er i enc e. Pa l a t e T he f ir st sip de liver s a sw ir l of c ar am e l and vanilla and alc o h o l t hat c o ndit i o ns t he palate w it h it s c hew y densit y. Addit i o nal sips reveal note s of dr i e d ap r ic ot , blac k p ep p er, o r ang e ze st , t annic oak ac i dit y, nut me g, a hint of c har, s aline, and oak. T he oak and vanilla note s ling er in a l o ng p epp er y f inish. Rev i ew It is al ways int r i guing to se e a r um blend t hat use s a c o mbinat i o n of t ro pic al and c o nt inent al aging, as it c an te st t he abilit y of t he b lender s. W it h t his r um blend, I b e li eve t he c o mbinat i o n of t he new oak f inish he lp e d balanc e t he f lavo r p rof ile and adde d a b o o st to it . In t he end, t he blender s suc c e e de d in c reat ing an intere st ing mult i f unc t i o nal r um t hat is easy to sip as we ll as wo r k w it h sever al r um c o c k t ail re c ip e s. T here is to o muc h g o ing o n in t he f lavo r p rof ile fo r a dai quir i; t his r um is m o re suite d to b e use d in a piña c o lada, h ot but tere d r um, jungle bird, o r r um r unner c o c k t ail.
Would you like to see your r um reviewed here? We don’t charge fees to review r ums. You don’t even have to adver tise.
w w w.trovador r um.c om
So... what are you waiting for ??? For more infor mation, please send an email to: margaret@gotr um.c om
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 26 - 9
COOKING WITH RUM Bringing the Spirit of the Cane Into the Hear t of the Kitchen! by Chef Susan W hitley
Got Got Rum R um?? January January 22002266 -- 10 10
G Goott Ru Rum m?? JJaannuuaary ry 22002266 -- 11 11
Stuf fed Cornish Hens I n g r e di e nt s: • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 T b s p. O l i ve O i l ½ C. C e l e r y, c h o p p e d ¼ C. W h i te O n i o n, c h o p p e d 3 C. C r u m b l e d C o r n b r e a d 3 C. S of t B r e a d c r u m b s 1 j a r (2 oz.) D i c e d Pi m i e nto s , d r a i n e d ¾ C. C h i c ke n B r ot h ¼ C. D a r k Ru m 1 L a r g e Eg g ½ t s p. Po u l t r y S e a s o n i n g ¼ t s p. D r i e d T hy m e L e ave s ½ t s p. S a l t
• •
¼ t s p. G r o u n d B l a c k Pe p p e r 2 C o r n i s h H e n s (2 0 to 24 o u n c e s e ac h)
Fo r B a st i n g: • • • • • •
¼ C. B u t te r, d i v i d e d 1 G a r l i c C l ove, m i n c e d 1 t s p. G r ate d Le m o n Z e st ¾ t s p. Fr e s h M i nt , c h o p p e d (o r ¼ t s p. d r i e d m i nt f l a ke s) ½ t s p. S a l t ¼ t s p. G r o u n d B l a c k Pe p p e r
D i r e c t i o n s: 1. Fo r t h e st u f f i n g: I n a l a r g e s k i l l et (o r s au c e p a n), s au té c e l e r y a n d o n i o n i n 1 t a b l e s p o o n o l i ve o i l u nt i l te n d e r. Re m ove f r o m h e at . S t i r i n c o r n b r e a d, b r e a d c r u m b s , p i m i e nto s , c h i c ke n b r ot h, r u m, e g g, p o u l t r y s e a s o n i n g, t hy m e l e ave s , s a l t a n d p e p p e r ; m i x we l l. 2. S t u f f e ac h h e n w i t h ¾ c u p st u f f i n g. Pl a c e ex t r a st u f f i n g i n a g r e a s e d 1 q u a r t b a k i n g di s h; r ef r i g e r ate. Pl ac e h e n s b r e a st s i d e u p o n a r a c k i n a g r e a s e d 13 x 9 i n c h b a k i n g di s h. C ove r l o o s e l y w i t h f o i l; b a ke at 375° F f o r 4 5 to 5 0 m i n u te s. 3. Fo r B a st i n g: I n a s au c e p a n, m e l t t h e b u t te r ; a d d g a r l i c , l e m o n ze st , m i nt , s a l t a n d p e p p e r. B r u s h ove r h e n s. B a ke f o r a n a d d i t i o n a l 25 m i n u te s o r u nt i l t h e r m o m ete r r e a d s 18 0 ° F f o r h e n s a n d 16 5° F f o r st u f f i n g. B a ke t h e ex t r a st u f f i n g, c ove r e d, f o r 3 0 m i n u te s. Y i e l d s 2 s e r v i n g s.
P h o t o c r e d i t : j u l i a s s i m p l y s o u t h e r n .c o m
Got Got Rum R um?? January January 22002266 -- 12 12
Cranberr y Sauce I n g r e di e nt s: •
12 oz. C r a nb e r r i e s
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½ C. w hi te su g a r
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½ C. B r ow n S u g a r
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¾ C. O r a n g e J ui c e
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¼ C. D a r k Rum, di v i d e d (2 Ta b l e s p o o ns)
D i r e c t i o ns: 1. D i s s o l ve b ot h su g a r s i n o r a n g e j ui c e i n a m e di um s au c e p a n ove r m e di um h e at . Ad d 2 t a b l e s p o o ns of da r k r um. 2. S t i r i n c r a nb e r r i e s a n d c o o k unt i l t h ey st a r t to p o p a n d s au c e st a r t s to t hi c ke n, a b o ut 8 to 10 m i nute s. 3. Re m ove f r o m h e at a n d ad d t h e r e m ai ni n g r um. S t i r we ll a n d p l ac e s au c e i n a b ow l. N ote - S au c e w i ll c o nt i nu e to t hi c ke n as i t c o o l s. Re ady to s e r ve
P h o t o c r e d i t : t h e c o z yc o o k .c o m
G Goott Ru Rum m?? JJaannuuaary ry 22002266 -- 1133
TH E RUM
M i xo l o g i s t A spac e devoted to the exploration of c las sic and new r um c oc k t ails
R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 14 Got Rum
What Is Mixology? M i xo l o g y i s t h e st u dy a n d s k i ll of i nve nt i n g, p r e p a r i n g a n d s e r v i n g c o c k t ai l s a n d ot h e r m i xe d dr i nks. M i xo l o g i st s a r e ex p e r t s i n t hi s f i e l d, b ut m i xo l o g i st s’ k n ow l e d g e g o e s b eyo n d m e m o r izi n g bas i c c o c k t ai l r e c i p e s: i t i n c lu d e s hi sto r i c a l i nf o r m at i o n, bas i c c h e m i st r y b e hi n d f l avo r c o m b i n at i o ns a n d a c a p ac i t y f o r c o m b i ni n g c o m m o n i n g r e di e nt s i n n ew ways. J o i n us, as we ex p l o r e t h e e s s e nt i a l c o ll e c t i o n of r um c o c k t ai l r e c i p e s t h at eve r y m i xo l o g i st n e e ds to m aste r.
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 1 5
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 16
TH E RUM
M i xo l o g i s t This M onth’s C oc k t ail: K ingston N egroni About the Kingston Negroni
Created in 2010 by Joaquín Simó (bar tender and par tner in New York City bar Pouring Ribbons), this cocktail is based on the classic Negroni, but substituting the gin for a high- esters rum. The result is uniquely “rummie” in the funkiest way possible. Kingston Negroni I n g r e d i e n t s: •
1 o un c e S m i t h & C r o s s J a m ai c a n r um
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1 o un c e C a m p a r i
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1 o un c e C a r p a n o A nt i c a swe et ve r m o ut h
•
G a r ni s h: o r a n g e p e e l
D i r e c t i o n s: 1. Ad d a ll i n g r e di e nt s i nto a m i x i n g g l as s w i t h i c e a n d st i r unt i l we ll - c hi ll e d. 2. S t r ai n i nto a r o c ks g l as s ove r o n e l a r g e i c e c ub e. 3. G a r ni s h w i t h a l o n g, t r i m m e d st r i p of o r a n g e p e e l.
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 1 7
LI BR A RY Rev i ew s of b o o ks r e l ate d to su g a r c a n e, m i lli n g, fe r m e nt at i o n, di st i ll at i o n, a g i n g, b l e n di n g a n d ot h e r to p i c s r e l ate d to t h e p r o du c t i o n o r hi sto r y of r um. w w w. Rum U ni ve r s i t y.c o m
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 18
Cocktail Chemistry: The Art and Science of Drinks from Iconic TV Shows and Movies by Nick Fisher ( P u b l i s h e r ’s Rev i ew) “ C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y o f f e r s t h e e s s e nt i a l k n o w l e d g e, te c h n i q u e s , a n d f l a i r f o r c r e at i n g p e r f e c t l y m i xe d d r i n ks a t h o m e.” — B a r te n d e r M a g a z i n e En j oy c l eve r, p o p c u l t u r e - i n s p i r e d d r i n ks w i t h t h i s c o l l e c t i o n o f m o r e t h a n 8 0 r e c i p e s f r o m t h e b e l ove d C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y Yo uTu b e c h a n n e l. H ave yo u eve r s e e n a d e l i c i o u s - l o o k i n g d r i n k o n yo u r f avo r i te m ov i e o r T V s h o w a n d wo n d e r e d h o w t o m a ke i t ? We l l, n o w yo u c a n, w i t h t h i s c o l l e c t i o n o f r e c i p e s f r o m t h e c r e at o r o f t h e p o p u l a r C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y Yo uTu b e c h a n n e l N i c k Fi s h e r. Fe at u r i n g r e c i p e s t o r e c r e a te t h e c l a s s i c W h i te R u s s i a n f r o m T h e B i g L e b o w s k i , the iconic mar tini from the James Bond m ov i e s , t o d r i n ks f e a t u r e d i n M a d M e n, T h e S i m p s o n s , I t ’s A l way s S u n ny i n Philadelphia, Game of Thrones, The O f f i c e, H a r r y Po t te r, a n d m o r e, C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y w i l l h ave yo u i m p r e s s i n g yo u r f r i e n d s w i t h yo u r b a r te n d i n g s k i l l s i n n o t i m e. I n a d d i t i o n t o r e c i p e s , C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y i n c l u d e s eve r y t h i n g yo u n e e d t o k n o w t o b e c o m e a m i xo l o g y ex p e r t , f r o m h o w t o m a ke p e r f e c t l y c l e a r i c e, delicious foams, and infusions, or how to f l a m e a c i t r u s p e e l. A m u s t - h ave f o r a l l a s p i r i n g h o m e m i xo l o g i s t s a n d p o p - c u l t u r e b u f f s , C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y w i l l e n s u r e yo u n eve r h ave a b o r i n g d r i n k a g a i n. A b o u t t h e Au t h o r N i c k Fi s h e r c u t h i s te et h i n N ew Yo r k C i t y during the burgeoning cocktail renaissance w h e r e h e l e a r n e d t o a p p r e c i a te a c r a f t c o c k t a i l m a d e w i t h f r e s h i n g r e d i e nt s , b u t i t t o o k a “ C o c k t a i l s 101” c l a s s a t a S a n Fr a n c i s c o s p e a ke a sy t o s p a r k a c r e a t i ve p a s s i o n i n h o m e b a r te n d i n g . I t wa s n’ t l o n g u nt i l h e wa s ex p e r i m e nt i n g w i t h a d va n c e d te c h n i q u e s s u c h a s p u t t i n g a c o c k t a i l i n s i d e a b a l l o f i c e o n l y t o s m a s h i t o p e n, r eve a l i n g t h e d r i n k . I n 2 014, h e c r e a te d t h e Yo uTu b e c h a n n e l C o c k t a i l C h e m i s t r y t o s h o wc a s e t h e s e te c h n i q u e s , a n d i t q u i c k l y r o s e t o o n e o f t h e m o s t - wa tc h e d c o c k t a i l c h a n n e l s .
H i s c r e at i ve a n d u n i q u e t a ke s o n c l a s s i c cocktails combined with beautiful visuals a n d e a sy - t o - f o l l o w i n s t r u c t i o n s a r e d e s i g n e d f o r a s p i r i n g h o m e b a r te n d e r s l o o k i n g t o g et s t a r te d, a s we l l a s c o c k t a i l e nt h u s i a s t s l o o k i n g f o r i n n ovat i ve n ew te c h n i q u e s . N i c k l i ve s i n S a n Fr a n c i s c o w i t h h i s w i f e a n d yo u n g d a u g hte r, w h o p r ef e r s t o d r i n k s t r a i g ht f r o m t h e b ot t l e. P u b l i s h e r : S &S / S i m o n El e m e nt P u b l i c at i o n d ate: M ay 17, 2 0 2 2 L a n g u a g e: En g l i s h P r i nt l e n g t h: 2 0 8 p a g e s IS B N -10: 19 8 2167424 IS B N -13: 978 -19 8 2167424 I te m We i g ht : 1. 6 p o u n d s D i m e n s i o n s: 7 x 0. 8 x 9 i n c h e s
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 1 9
Got Got R Rum um?? Ja January n u a ry 2026 2 0 2 6 -- 220 0
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G Goott Ru Rum m?? JJaannuuaarry y 2026 - 21
THE R U M HISTO R I A N by M arc o Pi er ini I was b o r n i n 19 5 4 i n a li t t l e tow n i n Tus c a ny (I t a ly) w h e r e I st i ll li ve. I n my yo ut h, I g ot a d e g r e e i n Phi l o s o p hy i n Fl o r e n c e a n d I st u di e d Po li t i c a l S c i e n c e i n M adr i d, b ut my r e a l p as s i o n h as a l ways b e e n H i sto r y. Li fe b r o u g ht m e to wo r k i n to ur i s m, eve nt o r g a niz at i o n a n d vo c at i o n a l t r ai ni n g, t h e n I di s c ove r e d r um a n d I fe ll i n l ove w i t h i t . I h ave v i s i te d di st i ll e r i e s, m et r um p e o p l e, at te n d e d r um Fe st i va l s a n d j o i n e d t h e Rum Fa m i ly. I h ave st u di e d to o, b e c aus e Rum i s n ot o n ly a g r e at di st i ll ate, i t ’s a wo r l d. Pr o du c e d i n s c o r e s of c o unt r i e s, by t h o us a n ds of c o m p a ni e s, w i t h a n ex t r a o r di n a r y va r i et y of a r o m as a n d f l avo r s, i t i s a f as c i n at i n g f i e l d of st u di e s. S o o n, I di s c ove r e d t h at r um h as a l s o a te r r i b l e a n d r i c h H i sto r y, m ad e of voya g e s a n d c o n qu e st s, b l o o d a n d swe at , i m p e r i a l f l e et s a n d r evo lut i o ns. I r e a lize d t h at t hi s H i sto r y d e s e r ve d to b e r e s e a r c h e d p r o p e r ly a n d I d e c i d e d to d evote mys e l f to i t w i t h t h e h e lp of t h e bas i c s c h o l a r ly to o l s I h ad l e a r nt dur i n g my o l d uni ve r s i t y ye a r s. I n 2 017 I p ub li s h e d t h e b o o k “A MERI CA N RUM – A S h o r t H i sto r y of Rum i n E a r ly A m e r i c a” I n 2 0 2 0, w i t h my s o n C l au di o, I h ave p ub li s h e d a n ew b o o k “ FREN C H RUM – A H i sto r y 16 3 9 -19 0 2 ”.
Got Rum R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 22
REVIEW J o r da n S m it h “ T h e I n v en ti o n o f Ru m ” 2025 It ’s b e e n 10 ye ar s s inc e, t hanks to Lui s Ayala, I had t h e p l e asure of g et t in g ac quainte d w it h Pr ofe s s o r J o r dan S mit h. A las, it was o nly an ac quaint anc e by p e n – o r r at h e r, by key b o ar d – but n o net h e l e s s, an inc re dib ly st imulat in g o n e. I re ad s o m e of hi s ar t i c l e s an d we exc han g e d a few o p ini o ns o n w hat Pr ofe s s o r S mit h c alls t h e “ Inve nt i o n” of Rum. M o re ove r, h e k in dly p r ov i de d m e w it h valuab l e m ate r ial fo r my ow n re s e arc h o n A m e r i c an Rum. S o m e t im e ag o I re ad hi s PHD D i s s e r t at i o n an d n ow hi s f ine b o o k , just pub li sh e d: “ T HE INVEN TION O F RUM Cre at in g t h e Q uinte s s e nt ial At lant i c C o mm o dit y ”, 2 0 25. Pr ofe s s o r S mit h’s b o o k i s o ne of t h e few wo r ks o n t h e hi sto r y of Rum w r it te n by a S c h o lar, an d it i s r i c h in info r m at i o n an d ref l e c t i o ns, an imp o r t ant c o nt r ibut i o n to t h e un de r st an din g of o ur f avo r ite subj e c t , imp o s s ib l e to summ ar ize ade quate ly in t h e b r i ef spac e of a Rev i ew. I have t h e refo re de c i de d to p re s e nt s o m e exc e r pt s, fo c us in g o n t h e o r i gin of t h e new b eve r ag e, w hi c h, I h o p e, w i ll spar k t h e inte r e st s of o ur re ade r s an d e nc o ur ag e t h e re adin g of t h e f ull tex t .
p hys i c al c har ac te r i st i c of m at te r – an d e qually f ir m at t itu de s – to c o njure a hi ghly de s ire d c o m e st ib l e.” “ T h e inve nt i o n of r um – a p r o c e s s an d n ot just a m o m e nt – de p e n de d o n t h e s o r t s of t hinke r in g t hat re m ain inte gr al to m o de r n p r o duc t i o n an d p r of it m ak in g.” Pr ofe s s o r S mit h has c ar r i e d o ut ex te ns i ve re s e arc h, dr aw in g f r o m s o urc e s of exc e pt i o nal inte re st s. H i s b o o k “ inc o r p o r ate s ev i de nc e f r o m fo r t yf i ve lib r ar i e s an d arc hi ve s in B ar bad o s, J am ai c a, En glan d, Wal e s, S c ot lan d, an d t h e U nite d S t ate s. It al s o dr aws f r o m di git ize d ve r s i o ns of newspap e r s an d r are b o o ks, pub li sh e d d o c um e nt c o ll e c t i o ns, an d r ap i dly ex pan din g di git al arc hi ve s.” A n d h e re all ow m e a p e r s o nal n ote: w hat a m ar ve l! A n d w hat e nv y! H ow I w i sh I had suc h a we alt h of quali f i e d s o urc e s at my di sp o s al.
T h e few ex i st in g stu di e s o n t h e H i sto r y of Rum of te n st ar t f r o m t h e muc h b et te r- k n ow n H i sto r y of S u g ar, a f ar m o re imp o r t ant c o m m o dit y “ w hi c h was r e sp o nsib l e fo r m o r e t han 3 p e r c e nt of t h e B r it i sh g r o s s d o m e st i c p r o duc t late in t h e e i ghte e nt h c e ntur y. … B ut un d e r st an din g t h e hi sto r y of r um i s ab o ut m o re t han am e n din g h ow we m ake s e ns e of t h e hi sto r y of su g ar (as im p o r t ant as t hat i s). It al s o ex p o s e s s o m et hin g sub st ant i ve ly n ew ab o ut t h e At lant i c wo r l d. T h e inve nt i o n of r um r e ste d o n a f l e d g lin g i d e a t hat a c o m b inat i o n of lab o r, in g e nuit y, an d te c hn o l o g y c o ul d shap e - shi f t t r ash into t r e asur e. S p e c i f i c ally, t h e d et r itus g e n e r ate d by e ar ly m o d e r n su g ar p r o duc t i o n was n o l o n g e r simp ly di sp o s e d of but was c o ll e c te d, mi xe d, fe r m e nte d, di st i ll e d, pac kag e d, ship p e d, s o l d, an d c o nsum e d. M ak in g, m ar ket in g, an d dr ink in g r um c o nst itute d a n ew k in d of al c h e my, alm o st m agi c ally t r ansmut in g t h e
T h e b o o k fo c us e s o n B ar bad o s an d t h e B r it i sh Emp ire, an d ex p lains t h e re as o ns fo r t h e ir imp o r t anc e: “ Pe o p l e in B r it ain, it s c o l o ni e s, an d t h e spac e w h e re B r it i sh t r ad e r s o p e r ate d e mb r ac e d r um b e c aus e it m et in di v i dual t aste s w hil e s imult ane o us ly s e r v in g m any g o al s of e mp ire. S t ar t in g in t h e mi d - s eve nte e nt h c e ntur y, En gli sh c o l o nize r s gr asp e d t h e inc re dib l e p ote nt ial of re pur p o s in g t h e waste p r o duc t s of c o l o ni al su g ar p lant at i o ns as a di st i ll e d sp ir it t hat c o ul d l e s s e n t h e ir d e p e n d e nc e o n c o nt in e nt al Eur o p e an b r an di e s an d w ine s. I nte nt o n p r ote c t in g d o m e st i c v ini c ulture, S pani sh an d Fre nc h of f i c ial s fo un d t h e p o s s ib ilit y of c o l o ni al r um in dust r i e s t hre ate nin g fo r p re c i s e ly t h e s am e re as o ns, an d t h ey ac t i ve ly di s c o ur ag e d alc o h o l p r o duc t i o n as a re sult . G e o gr ap hy c irc ums c r ib e d r um’s p ote nt ial w it hin ot h e r e mp ire s. D utc h c o l o ni e s c e nte r e d o n exc e e din gly sm all i s lan ds unf it fo r w i de sp re ad su g ar c ult i vat i o n. A n d w hil e B r a zil ex p o r te d t re m e n d o us vo lum e s of su g ar- de r i ve d sp ir it s to A n g o la, it s p r o duc t i o n to o k p lac e in c e nt r alize d mills an d di st i ll e r i e s in t h e S o ut h At lant i c w it h few c o nne c t i o ns to t h e N o r t h At lant i c . N o n - B r it i sh su g ar p lant at i o ns s o m et im e s
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 2 3
p r o duc e d r um o r a c l o s e anal o g ue, but p ub li sh e d t r e at i s e s o n di st i llin g an d p r i vate c o r r e sp o n d e nc e s of di st i ll e r s alike r are ly r eve al di st i llin g p r ac t i c e s o r eve n p refe r r e d qualit i e s fo r r um b e in g c o nsi ste nt ly shar e d b et we e n m et r o p o l e s. T h e s e e mp ir e s we r e f ar fo r h e r m et i c ally s e al e d, h oweve r. C o l o ni st s in B r a zi l an d Fre nc h C ar ib b e an ex p e r im e nte d w it h m ak in g al c o h o l f r o m su g ar in t h e s eve nte e nt h c e ntur y, an d In di g e n o us p e o p l e t r ansp o r te d f r o m S o ut h A m e r i c a to B ar bad o s int r o duc e d n ew al c o h o ls to En g li sh s et t l e r s o n t h e i s lan d. N o r t h A m e r i c an di st i ll e r s t r ans fo r m e d m o las s e s smu g g l e d t hr o u g h D utc h an d Fr e nc h e nt re p ôt s into r um d e sp ite B r it i sh m e rc ant ili st p o li c i e s d e s i g n e d to o ut law t hi s ac t i v it y. I n We st A f r i c a an d t h e A m e r i c an inte r i o r alike, Fr e nc h an d D ani sh t r ad e r s s o m et im e s fo un d lit t l e re c o ur s e ot h e r t han to ac quir e an d re s e ll r um p r o duc e d in B r it ain an d it s c o l o ni e s. W hil e e ac h of t h e s e t r ans im p e r i al c o ntex t s i s d e s c r ib e d in t hi s b o o k , w h et h e r t h e pat te r ns o b s e r ve d in B r it i sh At lant i c c o ntex t s c an b e t r ac e d in t h e arc hi ve s g e n e r ate d by t h e s e l o c alit i e s an d ot h e r e m p ir e s await f ur t h e r stu dy.” T hi s b o o k “examin e s r um’s p lac e in t h e At lant i c wo r l d f r o m t h e m o m e nt of it s c re at i o n ar o un d 16 4 0 unt i l it s m e anin g an d ut ilit y b e c am e har d e r to c han g e by 1810.” Pr ofe s s o r S mit h t h e n st ate s t hat “ T h e inve nt i o n of r um was n eve r s o s imp l e. N at i ve, A f r i c an, an d Eur o p e an p e o p l e p o s s e s s e d – an d c r e ate d an ew – t h e ir ow n i d e as ab o ut b ot h al c o h o l an d b e st way to m ake it . … Pi e c in g to g et h e r t h e c re at i ve c o lli s i o ns b et we e n di st inc t c ulture s of al c o h o l p r o duc t i o n in t hre e p lac e s p ur p o r te d to b e c r adl e s of r um p r o duc t i o n – B r a zi l, T h e Fr e nc h We st In di e s, an d, e sp e c i ally, B ar bad o s – reve als p r o c e s s e s of ex p e r im e nt at i o n t hat drew in p e o p l e an d i d e as o r i ginat in g in Eur o p e, A f r i c a, an d t h e A m e r i c as an d ult im ate ly c r e ate d s o m et hin g n ew.” In p re - C o lum b i an A m e r i c a, m any fe r m e nte d b eve r ag e s we r e k n ow n,
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 24
but di st i llat i o n was n ot . “ T h e e ar li e st Eur o p e an st i ll s date bac k to t we l f t h c e ntur y It aly. I t i s unlike ly t hat t hi s te c hn o l o gy ex i ste d in We st A f r i c a o r t h e A m e r i c as b efo re Eur o p e ans e st ab li sh e d t r ade c e nte r s in t h o s e p lac e s in t h e e ar ly m o de r n p e r i o d.” “A lt h o u g h su g arc ane was t r ansp o r te d to e ar li e r s ite s of c o l o niz at i o n in t h e At lant i c an d C ar ib b e an i s lan ds, p lant at i o n p r o duc t i o n in t h e A m e r i c as f ir st p r o sp e re d in B r a zil, an d a st r ain of ac c o mpany in g ex p e r im e nt s re g ar din g it s alc o h o li c p ote nt i al b e g an t h e re to o. … I t was o nly in t h e e ar ly s eve nte e nt h c e ntur y, h oweve r, t hat b ot h t h e c o nsumpt i o n of su g ar by - p r o duc t s an d t h e p r ac t i c e of di st i llat i o n b e c am e c o mm o np lac e.” Ac c o r din g to Pr ofe s s o r S mit h, t h e e ar li e st ste ps in t h e hi sto r y of Rum ar e shr o u de d in o bs c ur it y. “ N o b o dy re c o r d e d w h e n s o m e b o dy in B ar bad o s – o r B r a zil o r M ar t ini que – f ir st c o ll e c te d su g ar y waste s, fe r m e nte d t h e m, l o ad e d t h e m into a st i ll, an d de c i de d to c o nsum e t h e re sult in g p r o duc t . N o b o dy aske d h ow e ar ly m ake r s k new w hat t h ey di d ” At t h e o ut s et , t h e new dr ink had lit t l e value; it was c o nsum e d o nly l o c ally an d di d n ot eve n have a nam e, but t hin g s c han g e d r ap i dly. “ By t h e 16 6 0 s, an d m o re s o by t h e 16 8 0 s, s al e s of r um p r o duc e d in B ar bad o s an d s e nt to di st ant m ar ket s ad de d c o ns i de r ab ly to t h e i s lan d ’s e c o n o my. … T h e m any han ds t hat r um pas s e d t hr o u gh f r o m p lant at i o n to m ar ket exac e r bate d t h e ne e d fo r a st an dar d nam e fo r t h e c o mm o dit y. E ar ly o bs e r ve r s us e d di f fe re nt nam e s fo r t h e sp ir it b efo re b e ginnin g to s et t l e o n t h e m o de r n nam e fo r t h e ir inve nt i o n in t h e 16 5 0 s. B ef it t in g a c o mm o dit y w h o s e inve nt i o n was shr o u de d in myste r y but de p e n de d o n t h e p re s e nc e of I n di g e n o us, A f r i c an, an d Eur o p e an k n ow l e dg e of al c o h o l p r o duc t i o n, t h e o r i gin of t h e nam e re m ains o paque. … By t h e mi d 16 5 0 s, t h e te r m was in us e in b ot h B ar bad o s an d N o r t h A m e r i c a.” A n d late r, in 16 8 4, in t h e af te r m at h of a f i s c al quar re l w it h a S c ot t i sh r um di st i ll e r y,
“ T h e exc h e que r di c t ate d, h oweve r, t hat any di st illate r e m ove d f r o m t h e di st i ll e r y ‘must b e m ar ke d w it h t h e wo r d RUM ’. T h e m an date d lab e l un e qui vo c ally e st ab li sh e d t h e linkag e b et we e n t h e S c ot t i sh di st ill e r i e s an d t h e ir A m e r i c an c o unte r par t s in te r m s of w hat t h ey m ade.” Ye s, b e c aus e ve r y s o o n, in d e e d quite e ar ly, r um p r o duc t i o n ex pan d e d we ll b eyo n d B ar bad o s. “ By 16 6 0, M as s ac hus et t s di st i ll e r s b e g an to fo c us t h e ir ef fo r t s o n di st i llin g C ar ib b e an m o las s e s into l o c al var i ant s of r um. … T h o mas Ruc k , w h o t r ad e d w it h t h e D r a x f amily an d o ut f it te d ship s to t r ade fo o dstu f f s fo r su g ar in B ar bad o s by 16 4 8 , b e g an r et ai lin g sp ir it s f r o m B o sto n in 16 5 3 an d b e c am e a li c e ns e d di st i ll e r in 16 5 8 . Likew i s e, a Lo n d o n m e r c hant nam e d S im o n Ly n d e s et t l e d in B o sto n by 16 5 0 an d b o u g ht a b r ewe r y (w hi c h h e t h e n c o nve r te d to a di st i ll e r y), a ware h o us e, an d a w har f in t h e c it y in 16 5 3 . W hil e Ly n d e c o nt inu e d to fo c us o n t r ad e to We st In di e s, h e hir e d a di st ill e r to tur n hi s im p o r t s into N ew En g lan d r um. D i st ill e r y ow n e r s an d o p e r ato r s at t r ac te d t h e di s dain of M as s ac hus et t s’ g ove r nin g b o di e s by 16 61 w h e n t h e g e n e r al c o ur t c o m p lain e d of abus e s by r et ail e r s of r um an d ‘ by t h e di st i ll e r s t h e re of ’ an d o ut lawe d li qu o r s al e s sm all e r t han a quar te r c ask . Le gi s lat in g ag ainst sm all li qu o r t r ans ac t i o ns was o n e p o p ular way to p r i c e lab o r in g p e o p l e o ut of t h e alc o h o l t r ad e.” A ll ove r t h e B r it i sh Wo r l d, “ Pr o duc e r s e n d e avo r e d to m ake st r o n g e r an d b et te rt ask in g r um m o r e ef f i c i e nt ly an d in n ew p lac e s. T hi s ex p e r im e nt at i o n t hr i ve d o n t h e f re qu e nt exc han g e of info r m at i o n …Pe o p l e m ov in g t hr o u g h o ut B r it ain’s At lant i c wo r l d c ar r y in g i d e as ab o ut h ow to m ake r um linke d t h e s eve nte e nt h c e ntur y o r i gins of t h e in dust r y to e i ghte e nt h - c e ntur y inn ovat i o n.” I f t h e 16 0 0 s m ay b e c o ns i d e r e d t h e p i o n e e r in g c e ntur y, it i s in t h e 170 0 s t hat r um re ac h e d it s m atur it y: di st inc t k in ds e m e r g e d an d p r i c e s var i e d ac c o r din gly.
Fo r examp l e, “ In 176 4, t h e G e o r g ia G azet te li ste d t h e p r i c e of J am ai c a r um at fo ur shillin g s p e r g all o n; B ar bad o s an d A nt i gua r um at t hre e shi llin g s, s i x p e nc e; N ew Yo r k r um at t wo shillin g s, fo ur p e nc e; an d N ew En glan d r um at t wo shi llin g s, t wo p e nc e.” In c o nc lus i o n, alt h o u gh I d o n ot al ways e nt ire ly agre e w it h Pr ofe s s o r S mit h, hi s wo r k i s un d o ubte dly a mus t r ea d fo r eve r y s c h o lar an d e nt hus i ast of t h e subj e c t . M o re ove r, it p r ove d us ef ul to m e in c o r re c t in g an e r r o r of mine. In f ac t , in my ar t i c l e HISTORY O F CU BA N RUM 16. T HE R O N L IG E R O C U B A N O in t h e Fe b r uar y 2 0 24 i s sue of o ur m ag a zin e, re g ar din g t h e e m e r g e nc e of t h e new t y p e of r um in Cuba dur in g t h e s e c o n d hal f of t h e 18 0 0 s, I had w r it te n: “ L ast , but n ot l e ast , ag e in g. Cuban di st i ll e r s we re m ay b e t h e f ir st to c o ns c i o us ly an d de lib e r ate ly ag e r um o n a lar g e s c al e, to de e p ly imp r ove t h e p r o duc t .” We ll, I was mi st ake n, b e c aus e Pr ofe s s o r S mit h d o c um e nt s t h e p r ac t i c e of agin g r um to imp r ove it s p e rc e i ve d qualit y, as we ll as t h e t r i c ks to de c e i ve t h e c o nsum e r, as e ar ly as t h e 170 0 s: “A s a p lant at i o n o p e r ato r ex p laine d in 175 6, ‘ We neve r t hink o ur r um in B ar bad o s in any de gre e of p e r fe c t i o n un de r t hre e ye ar s o l d, t h e o l de r t h e b et te r ’. Pr o duc e r s an d c o nsum e r s in t h e A m e r i c as an d B r it ain t hus as s o c iate d t h e dar ke r We st In dian r ums w it h t h e p re mium, ag e d p r o duc t . B efo re eve n t ast in g t h e r um, m e rc hant s an d c o nsum e r s as sum e d t hat t hi s p r o c e s s impar te d a sm o ot h e r, m e ll owe r, an d swe ete r t aste. S o m et im e s t h e t aste, st re n gt h, o r c o l o r of r um di ve r g e d f r o m w hat t aste r s ex p e c te d, h oweve r. S uc h di s c re panc i e s c o ul d re sult f r o m p r o duc e r s t r y in g to e mulate ot h e r st y l e s of r um t h ey had e nc o unte re d. Fo r inst anc e, c ar am e l - c o l o re d r um t hat di d n ot exu de t h e t ast in g n ote s of b e in g ag e d was like ly dye d w it h te a l e ave s o r bur nt su g ar.” M arc o Pi e r ini
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 2 5
Got Got Rum R um?? January January 22002266 -- 26 26
The Ru m L ab orator y Presented by
Jo in u s a s we exp lo re t h e wo r l d of r u m sp ic e s and f l avo r s! I n t hi s se r i e s you w ill l ea r n to f l avo r your ow n Rum s and to c reat e your ow n Liqu eur s and Crea m s.
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 2 7
The Rum Universit y ® Laborator y Presents
making your own
Clove Rum Liqueur I n g r e di e nt s: • • • • • • •
1 Cup S u g a r 2 1/ 2 Cup s Wate r, D i v i d e d 2 T b s p W h o l e C l ove s 1 T b s p D r i e d H i b i s c us Fl owe r s 1/ 2 Cup H e av y (H i g h C o n g e n e r) Ag e d Rum 1 1/4 Cup Li g ht (Low C o n g e n e r) W hi te Rum 6 D r o p s of C a r a m e l C o l o r i n g (o pt i o n a l)
D i r e c t i o n s: C o m b i n e 1 1/ 2 c up s of wate r, su g a r, c l ove s a n d t h e hi b i s c us f l owe r s i n a m e di um s au c e p a n, st i r r i n g f r e qu e nt ly f o r 10 m i nute s. Re m ove f r o m t h e h e at a n d a ll ow i t to c o o l. S t r ai n t h e s o li ds f o r a m i l d e r li qu e ur o r l e ave t h e m i n f o r a st r o n g e r- f l avo r e d ve r s i o n. Tr a ns fe r to a c l e a n, 1 Li te r b ot t l e o r g l as s c o nt ai n e r, ad d t h e r um s a n d ad d e n o u g h of t h e r e m ai ni n g wate r to r e ac h t h e 1- li te r mark. A ll ow t h e b l e n d to r e st i n a c o o l, da r k p l ac e f o r 1 m o nt h, af te r w hi c h yo u m ay d e c a nt o r f i lte r i nto i t s f i n a l s e r v i n g c o nt ai n e r.
Got Rum R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 28
Did you know that cloves ... U s e d o f te n i n Ay u r ve d i c m e d i c i n e, c l ove s a r e a nt i - f u n g a l, a nt i b a c te r i a l, a nt i s e pt i c a n d a n a l g e s i c . T h ey ’r e p a c ke d w i t h a nt i ox i d a nt s a n d a r e g o o d s o u r c e s o f m i n e r a l s (e s p e c i a l l y m a n g a n e s e), o m e g a - 3 f a t t y a c i d s , f i b e r a n d v i t a m i n s . H e r e a r e a c o u p l e o f u s e s f o r c l ove s , c u l l e d f r o m a n Ay u r ve d i c t r a d i t i o n (f r o m M i n d B o d y G r e e.c o m): 1.
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Te m p o r a r i l y t r e a t a t o o t h a c h e. Yo u c a n t e m p o r a r i l y a l l ev i a t e t h e p a i n by d a b b i n g a l i t t l e c l ove o i l o n a c o t t o n b a l l a n d p l a c i n g i t o n t h e sore tooth or on your gums. An added benef it is t h a t i t w i l l a l s o p u l l o u t a ny i n f e c t i o n . R e l i eve u p p e r r e s p i r a t o r y i n f e c t i o n s . Ay u r ve d a s u g g e s t s m a k i n g a t e a t o l e s s e n , o r p r eve n t , c o l d s a n d f l u . I t i s a l s o u s e d a s a n ex p e c t o r a n t , m a k i n g i t e a s i e r t o c o u g h u p p h l e g m . C l ove s a r e a natural painkiller and also attack germs, so t h ey ’l l h e l p yo u g e t r i d o f t h a t s o r e t h r o a t . R e d u c e i n f l a m m a t i o n . U s e c l ove o i l t o m a s s a g e s o r e m u s c l e s; s o m e a l s o u s e i t f o r a r t h r i t i s a n d rheumatism. Tr e a t s c r a p e s a n d b r u i s e s . C l ove s a r e p r e t t y strong and can sting, so the best bet is to p r o b a b l y m a ke a p o u l t i c e w i t h a l i t t l e o l i ve o i l . I m p r ove d i g e s t i o n . C l ove s h e l p r e l a x t h e s m o o t h l i n i n g o f t h e GI t r a c t , s o t h ey h e l p a l l ev i a t e vo m i t i n g , d i a r r h e a , i n t e s t i n a l g a s a n d s t o m a c h a c h e s . J u s t b e c a r e f u l; s i n c e t h ey ’r e s t r o n g , t h ey can also irritate the stomach.
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 2 9
Rum in the news by M ike Kun et ka
PL A N TE R AY
T h e s e a r e t h e m o s t r e c e nt a n d n o tew o r t hy h e a d l i n e s i n t h e r u m i n d u s t r y. I f yo u wa nt u s t o s h a r e yo u r n ew s w i t h o u r r e a d e r s , p l e a s e s e n d m e a n e m a i l t o: M i ke @ g o t r u m .c o m.
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 30
P l a nt e r ay Ru m a n n o u n c e d t h e r e l e a s e o f M i s t e r Fo g g N av y Ru m S a i l N ° 2 , a N av y - s t y l e r u m c r a f t e d u s i n g t h e k n o w l e d g e u n c ove r e d a f t e r f i ve ye a r s o f i nte n s i ve r e s e a r c h f o r T h e Ru m N eve r S et s 3 0 0 Ye a r s o f R oya l N av y & L o n d o n D o c k Ru m , a g r o u n d b r e a k i n g b o o k c o - a u t h o r e d by s p i r i t s h i s t o r i a n M a t t P i et r e k a n d P l a nte r ay Ru m o w n e r a n d M a s te r B l e n d e r A l ex a n d r e G a b r i e l. A t t h e h e a r t o f b o t h t h e b o o k a n d t h e r u m a r e t h e S eve n P i l l a r s o f N av y Ru m , a f r a m ew o r k d eve l o p e d by G a b r i e l t o d ef i n e t h e c o r e t e c h n i q u e s t h a t g ave N av y Ru m i t s i d e nt i t y : • B l e n d i n g o f Ru m s – H a r m o n i z i n g m u l t i p l e Caribbean origins • Double Aging – Maturing in distinct e nv i r o n m e nt s f o r c o m p l ex i t y • U s e o f U s e d B a r r e l s – Em p l oy i n g s e a s o n e d c a s ks t o e n h a n c e s u bt l et y • D y n a m i c A g i n g – A l l o w i n g t h e l i q u i d t o evo l ve i n motion at sea • N av y A c t i ve Va t t i n g – Re s t i n g a n d m a r r y i n g r u m s i n l a r g e w o o d e n va t s • I s s u i n g P r o o f – B o t t l i n g a t 5 5 - 5 7 % A BV, i n l i n e w i t h N av y s t a n d a r d s
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B u r nt S u g a r ( B r o w n i n g) – C o l o r i n g a n d b a l a n c i n g f l avo r w i t h t r a d i t i o n M i s te r Fo g g N av y Ru m S a i l N ° 2 f o l l o w s i n t h e wa ke o f S a i l N °1, r e l e a s e d i n 2 0 24, a n d d e e p e n s P l a nt e r ay ’s ex p l o r a t i o n o f a u t h e nt i c N av y Ru m t h r o u g h h i s t o r i c a l te c h n i q u e s a n d c r e a t i ve a g i n g . T h e r u m i s f i r s t a g e d i n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s i n t h e C a r i b b e a n, t h e n s h i p p e d a c r o s s t h e A t l a nt i c for dynamic aging at sea, just as rations once t r ave l e d a b o a r d R oya l N av y ve s s e l s . U p o n a r r i va l i n s o u t hwe s t Fr a n c e, t h e b l e n d i s m a t u r e d f u r t h e r i n s e a s o n e d o a k b a r r e l s a n d l a r g e o p e n w o o d e n va t s n e a r t h e r i ve r L’A nte n n e, r e p l i c a t i n g t h e c o o l, h u m i d c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e L o n d o n d o c ks w h e r e N av y Ru m wa s o n c e f i n i s h e d. T h e r e s u l t i s a r u m w i t h l aye r e d c o m p l ex i t y, m o l a s s e s , d a r k c h o c o l a te, va n i l l a , d r i e d f r u i t s , a n d wa r m i n g s p i c e s , b o t t l e d a t 5 5 .7 % A BV, t h e t r a d i t i o n a l “ N av y p r o o f.” W h i l e t h e r e i s n o f o r m a l d ef i n i t i o n o f n av y r u m , r u m ex p e r t s u s u a l l y a g r e e that it is a blend of aged rums from t wo or more c o u nt r i e s . C r a f t e d w i t h m et i c u l o u s c a r e, M i s te r Fo g g N av y Ru m S a i l N ° 2 i s c o m p r i s e d o f r u m s f r o m B a r b a d o s , t h e b i r t h p l a c e o f r u m , Tr i n i d a d, G u ya n a , Mauritius and Jamaica. w w w. p l a nt e r ay r u m .c o m J OH N N Y D E PP ’ S TH R EE HE A R TS R U M O n D e c . 2 2 , J o h n ny D e p p s h a r e d a T i kTo k p o s t p a c ke d w i t h p i r a t e m e m o r a b i l i a , we a t h e r e d t r i n ket s , a n d f a m i l i a r n a u t i c a l f l a i r. O ve r l ay i n g t h e v i d e o wa s a s i m p l e l i n e t h a t i n s t a nt l y c a u g ht f a n s’ a t te nt i o n: “A s i t h a p p e n s… t h e r u m i s n o t g o n e ! ” Fo r l o n g t i m e P i r a te s o f t h e C a r i b b e a n f a n s , t h e p h r a s e wa s a n u n m i s t a k a b l e c a l l b a c k t o S p a r r o w ’s i c o n i c d e c l a r a t i o n t h a t h i s r u m s t a s h h a d my s te r i o u s l y va n i s h e d. B u t t h i s t i m e, t h e m e s s a g e c a m e w i t h a m o d e r n t w i s t . T h e p o s t wa s n’ t j u s t a n o s t a l g i c n o d o r a l l u d i n g t o a n o t h e r c h a pt e r i n t h e P i r a te s s a g a . I n s t e a d, i t s e r ve d a s a n a n n o u n c e m e nt f o r D e p p’s T h r e e H e a r t s Ru m , t h e p r e m i u m s p i r i t s b r a n d h e c o f o u n d e d. T h e f i r s t e d i t i o n l i m i te d r e l e a s e i s “ r o o te d i n l oya l t y a n d d r i ve n by p u r p o s e.” T h e n a m e t h r e e h e a r t s i s a n o d t o D e p p’s t h r e e h e a r t s t a t t o o. E a c h h e a r t sy m b o l i ze s h i s f a m i l y : L i l y - R o s e a n d J a c k , w h o m h e s h a r e s w i t h ex , Va n e s s a Pa r a d i s . T h e we b s i te d e s c r i b e s J o h n ny D e p p’s T h r e e H e a r t s Ru m a s “ G u i d e d by h i s p e r s o n a l t a s t e a n d c r e a t i ve v i s i o n. T h i s f i r s t ex p r e s s i o n i s a C a r i b b e a n r u m , a g e d f i ve ye a r s i n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s w i t h a h i nt o f O l o r o s o, t h e n r e - c a s ke d f o r t w o a d d i t i o n a l ye a r s i n ex- C o g n a c b a r r e l s , f o r a t o t a l o f s eve n ye a r s . ht t p s: // w w w. t h r e e h e a r t s .c o m / CA N D EL A Candela Mamajuana, the botanical rum brand i n s p i r e d by t h e l e g e n d a r y D o m i n i c a n e l i x i r, i s r e l a u n c h i n g w i t h a b o l d n ew v i s u a l i d e nt i t y a n d ex p a n d e d d i s t r i b u t i o n. T h e r e b r a n d m a r ks a s i g n i f i c a nt m i l e s t o n e f o r C a n d e l a , a s i t c o nt i n u e s t o e l eva te t h e C a r i b b e a n r u m c a te g o r y w i t h a m o d e r n, s u p e r- p r e m i u m p o s i t i o n i n g . T h e n ew
p a c k a g i n g , d eve l o p e d i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h Q u a ke r C i t y M e r c a nt i l e, t h e awa r d - w i n n i n g d e s i g n a n d branding agency behind some of the most iconic s p i r i t s i n t h e w o r l d, f e a t u r e s a n e l e g a nt c u s t o m g l a s s b o t t l e, exo t i c t y p o g r a p hy, a n d r ef i n e d a c c e nt s t h a t p ay h o m a g e t o C a n d e l a’s D o m i n i c a n r o o t s w h i l e a p p e a l i n g t o t o d ay ’s d e s i g n - c o n s c i o u s c o n s u m e r. “ Q u a ke r C i t y M e r c a nt i l e l ove d w o r k i n g o n t h i s p r o j e c t a n d a r e ve r y p r o u d o f t h e f i n a l d e s i g n. A l e j a n d r o a l l o we d u s t o b r i n g t o l i f e o u r p r o p r i et a r y p r o c e s s o f B r a n d M y s t i c i s m i n a ve r y u n i q u e a n d a l l u r i n g way. T h e r e i s n o t h i n g e l s e l i ke t h i s o n s h e l ve s a ny w h e r e,” s a i d S teve G r a s s e, Fo u n d e r o f Q u a ke r C i t y M e r c a nt i l e. “ O u r g o a l wa s t o c a pt u r e t h e s o u l o f t h e D o m i n i c a n Re p u b l i c i n a s o p h i s t i c a te d p r e s e nt a t i o n t h a t s t a n d s p r o u d l y n ex t t o o t h e r i c o n i c b o t t l e s ,” s a i d A l e j a n d r o R u s s o, Fo u n d e r a n d C EO o f C a n d e l a . “ Q u a ke r C i t y M e r c a nt i l e h e l p e d u s r e i m a g i n e C a n d e l a w i t h a t i m e l e s s , e l eva t e d a e s t h et i c t h a t r ef l e c t s t h e q u a l i t y a n d c r a f t s m a n s h i p o f t h e l i q u i d i n s i d e.” w w w.d r i n kc a n d e l a .c o m I RO N M A I D E N ’ S R U M OF THE A N CIE N T M A R I N E R A f te r c o n q u e r i n g t h e w o r l d w i t h a w i d e r a n g e o f Tr o o p e r b e e r s a n d t h e w i n e D a r ke s t Re d, I r o n M a i d e n i s n o w t a k i n g a s te p i nt o t h e w o r l d o f exc l u s i ve d i s t i l l a t e s w i t h T h e Ru m o f t h e A n c i e nt M a r i n e r. I n s p i r e d by t h e e p i c s t o r y o f “ T h e R i m e o f t h e A n c i e nt M a r i n e r ”, a c o r n e r s t o n e o f h e av y m et a l h i s t o r y f r o m t h e b a n d ’s i c o n i c a l b u m Po we r s l ave (19 8 4), t h i s r u m c e l e b r a te s t i m e l e s s a r t i s t r y a n d u n c o m p r o m i s i n g c r a f t s m a n s h i p. T h e l a b e l, c r e a t e d by t h e b a n d ’s l o n g - t i m e c o l l a b o r a t o r D a n M u m f o r d, i s a v i s u a l j o u r n ey f i l l e d w i t h i nt r i c a t e d et a i l s t h a t r eve a l t h e m s e l ve s t h e f u r t h e r yo u l o o k , r ef l e c t i n g b o t h t h e b a n d ’s o w n l y r i c s a n d t h e i n s p i r a t i o n o f S a m u e l Tay l o r C o l e r i d g e’s c l a s s i c p o e m f r o m 179 8 . T h i s p r e m i u m r u m f r o m t h e C a r i b b e a n i s a c a r ef u l l y selected blend of rums from Jamaica and Barbados, aged in oak barrels according to the traditional Pet i te s E a u x m et h o d t o e n h a n c e f l avo r a n d c h a r a c t e r. T h e r e s u l t i s a s o f t a n d c o m p l ex c h a r a c te r o f 4 0 % vo l., b u i l t u p i n l aye r s l i ke t h e f i n e s t m u s i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n s . B e s t e n j oye d c l e a n a f te r d i n n e r o r s l o w l y t o a p p r e c i a t e t h e d e pt h a n d n u a n c e s . “ I r o n M a i d e n i s n o t j u s t a b a n d, t h ey a r e a c u l t u r a l p h e n o m e n o n,” s ay s S a r i H W i l h o l m a t L i ve B r a n d s Fa c t o r y. “ I t i s a n h o n o r t o l a u n c h t h e i r f i r s t exc l u s i ve d i s t i l l a te a n d t o h ave c r e a te d t h i s P r e m i u m C a r i b b e a n D a r k Ru m i n c l o s e c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e m .” ht t p s: // w w w.f a c e b o o k .c o m / b r avew o r d s r e c o r d s W EST I N D IES R U M & S PI R ITS PRO D U CE R S’ A SSOCI ATIO N T h e We s t I n d i e s Ru m & S p i r i t s P r o d u c e r s’ A s s o c i a t i o n ( WIRS PA) C h a i r C l e m e nt L aw r e n c e a n n o u n c e d t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n’s n ew Env i r o n m e nt a l, S o c i a l a n d G ove r n a n c e ( ESG)
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 3 1
D i g e s t w h i c h i s d e s i g n e d t o s h o wc a s e p r o d u c e r actions on responsible drinking, community suppor t, s u s t a i n a b i l i t y i n i t i a t i ve s , a n d g ove r n a n c e. “ T h i s f i r s t p u b l i c a t i o n d e m o n s t r a te s a n i m p r e s s i ve l eve l o f a c t i v i t y by p r o d u c e r s h e a d i n g i nt o 2 0 2 6 . Te l l i n g t h e s e s t o r i e s i s v i t a l, n o t o n l y t o h i g h l i g ht t h e w o r k b e i n g d o n e a c r o s s o u r i n d u s t r y, b u t t o r e i n f o r c e o u r c o m m i t m e nt t o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, c o m m u n i t y, a n d t r a n s p a r e n c y.” T h e a n n o u n c e m e nt wa s m a d e w h e n t h e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s c o nve n e d o n We d n e s d ay, D e c e m b e r 3 . T h i s m e et i n g b r o u g ht t o g et h e r c o u nt r y d i r e c t o r s a n d r u m p r o d u c e r s f r o m a l l 15 m e m b e r c o u nt r i e s f o r a w i d e - r a n g i n g r ev i ew o f i n d u s t r y d eve l o p m e nt s , m a r ket c h a l l e n g e s , a n d s h a r e d p r i o r i t i e s f o r t h e ye a r a h e a d. D i r e c t o r s r ef l e c te d o n w h a t h a s b e e n a d i f f i c u l t t r a d i n g ye a r i n t h e U n i te d S t a te s , w h e r e t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f i n f l a t i o n, d a m p e n e d c o n s u m e r d e m a n d, a n d t a r i f f s c o nt i n u e t o p u t p r e s s u r e o n t h e s p i r i t s s e c t o r, i n c l u d i n g C a r i b b e a n r u m . Fe e d b a c k f r o m p r o d u c e r s n o t e d t h a t t h e s e c h a l l e n g e s s e r ve d t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e r e s o l ve o f t h e i n d u s t r y t o d eve l o p o t h e r m a r ket s a n d t o e n g a g e C a r i b b e a n g ove r n m e nt s i n t h i s d i ve r s i f i c a t i o n t h r u s t . A s t h e C a r i b b e a n m ove s t o wa r d t h e f e s t i ve s e a s o n, a p e r i o d d e e p l y r o o te d i n f a m i l y g a t h e r i n g s a n d community celebrations, Directors endorsed the need for strengthened messaging on moderation and responsible drinking. All brands in the grouping r e p o r te d i n c r e a s e d i nve s t m e nt i n r e s p o n s i b l e d r i n k i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n f o r t h e h o l i d ay p e r i o d. ht t p s: // w w w.w i r s p a .c o m / PU SSE R ’s R U M P u s s e r ’s Ru m , t h e o r i g i n a l R oya l N av y Ru m , d r aw s f r o m i t s r i c h h e r i t a g e w i t h t h e l a u n c h o f N i g ht Wa tc h, a b l e n d o f a g e d d i s t i l l a te f r o m v i nt a g e w o o d e n p o t s t i l l s i n G u ya n a a n d r u m f r o m L o u i s i a n a B l a c ks t r a p M o l a s s e s , c o n s i d e r e d t o b e t h e f i n e s t i n t h e w o r l d. T h i s s p i r i te d c r e a t i o n i s r e m i n i s c e nt o f t h e s t e a d f a s t s a i l o r ke e p i n g t h e m i d n i g ht wa tc h, evo k i n g a s e n s e o f my s te r y, d e pt h, a n d i nt e n s i t y w i t h a b o l d, r i c h f l avo r n o t u n l i ke t h e i s s u e f i r s t s e r ve d t o H e r M a j e s t y ’s s a i l o r s a n d o f f i c e r s . B l a c ks t r a p Ru m , l i ke t h e b l a c k p o w d e r- s t a i n e d s a i l s o f a s h i p a f te r b a t t l e, b e c a m e a sy m b o l o f r e s i l i e n c e a n d s t r e n g t h i n t h e e a r l y d ay s o f t h e R oya l N av y. ht t p s: //p u s s e r s r u m . com/ THE HISTO RY A N D CO N N OISSE U R SHI P OF R U M A u t h o r Fr a n k l i n K n i g ht i nt r o d u c e s t h e r e a d e r t o t h e w o r l d o f r u m , f r o m i t s o r i g i n a n d a n c i e nt h i s t o r y t o i t s p r o l i f e r a t i o n i n t h e p r e s e nt . H e w r i te s a b o u t w h a t m a ke s r u m u n i q u e a n d d i f f e r e nt f r o m o t h e r s p i r i t s , w i t h a d et a i l e d d e s c r i pt i o n o f t h e va r i o u s p r o c e s s e s , f e r m e nt a t i o n a n d d i s t i l l a t i o n, t h e b a s i c c h e m i s t r y o f r u m i t s e l f, t h e b l e n d i n g , a n d t h e p hy s i c a l p r o c e s s o f h a r ve s t i n g , c r u s h i n g , a n d ex t r a c t i n g t h e s u g a r y s o l u t i o n, w h i c h i s t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f r u m . I n a v i r t u a l w o r l d, t o u r- t a k i n g i n r u m - p r o d u c i n g c o u nt r i e s a s f a r- f l u n g a s A u s t r a l i a a n d I n d i a , b u t o n e t h a t f o c u s e s o n t h e A m e r i c a s a n d t h e C a r i b b e a n, P r o f e s s o r
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 32
K n i g ht g u i d e s t h e r e a d e r i n a s avo r i n g o f t h e b e s t r u m s o n t h e m a r ket , l e av i n g t h e r e a d e r t o b e c o m e h i s o w n c o n n o i s s e u r. A l l t h e s e c r et s t o a c h i eve t h i s s t a t u s a r e g i ve n s te p by s te p w i t h r e c i p e s , t h e va s t p o s s i b l e va r i a t i o n s i n c o c k t a i l s , t h e va s t s p e c t r u m o f l a b e l s ava i l a b l e t o d ay t o a p a r t i c u l a r b r a n d, a n d h o w t o ‘ f i t yo u r p a l a te’ t o a p a r t i c u l a r b r a n d, d o w n t o e m p l oy i n g t h e p r o p e r s t y l e o f g l a s s o r s n i f te r. A n d s i n c e f i n e r u m s m ay b e f o u n d a ny w h e r e i n t h e w o r l d, n o s p e c i f i c b r a n d o f r u m i s eve r r e c o m m e n d e d a s t h e f o r e m o s t l a b e l i n i t s c l a s s . T h e r e i s s o m et h i n g h e r e f o r eve r yo n e, f r o m t h e r u m f a n c i e r t o t h o s e i nt e r e s te d i n t h e p l ay o f m a te r i a l c u l t u r e i n w o r l d a n d C a r i b b e a n h i s t o r y, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e i nt i m a te c o u p l i n g o f t h e t r a d e i n e n s l ave d A f r i c a n s a n d s u g a r c a n e p l a nt a t i o n g r o w t h, a n d r u m p r o d u c t i o n a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n. K n i g ht s ay s “ T h i s b o o k i s n o t a n e n d o r s e m e nt o f a l c o h o l i n general or of the drinking of rum. Nor is it designed t o a s s i s t i n t h e g e n e r a l m a r ket i n g o f r u m .” Fr a n k l i n W. K n i g ht i s L e o n a r d a n d H e l e n R . S t u l m a n P r o f e s s o r Em e r i t u s o f H i s t o r y a t J o h n s H o p k i n s U n i ve r s i t y. H e i s a f o r m e r p r e s i d e nt o f t h e L a t i n A m e r i c a n S t u d i e s A s s o c i a t i o n, a n d f o r m e r d i r e c t o r o f t h e L a t i n A m e r i c a n S t u d i e s P r o g r a m a s we l l a s f o r m e r d i r e c t o r o f t h e C e nte r o f A f r i c a n a S t u d i e s a t J o h n s H o p k i n s . The hardback book measures 5 x 7 inches and has 314 p a g e s . ht t p s: // i a n r a n d l e p u b l i s h e r s .c o m /p r o d u c t / the -histor y-and- connoisseurship - of-rum/ J S R S PI R ITS’ R176 8 R U MS J SR S p i r i t s h ave a n n o u n c e d t h e o f f i c i a l M o nt s e r r a t l a u n c h o f i t s t w o p r e m i u m r u m s , R176 8 Re b e l (S p i c e d D a r k Ru m) a n d R176 8 Revo l t ( W h i te Ru m), s et f o r S t . Pa t r i c k ’s Fe s t i va l We e k 2 0 2 6 . T h i s m i l e s t o n e f o l l o w s t w o ye a r s o f d eve l o p m e nt , r ef i n e m e nt , s e n s o r y te s t i n g , a n d i nt e r n a t i o n a l m a r ket p r e p a r a t i o n i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h M u r r ay & Ye a t m a n D i s t i l l e r i e s . J SR S p i r i t s , c o - f o u n d e d by d y n a m i c e nt r e p r e n e u r s J a m e s “J a m a l ” S i m m o n d s , A xc e l S i m m o n d s a n d J e eva n R o b i n s o n, r e p r e s e nt s a b o l d a n d h e a r t f e l t e n d e avo r t o h o n o r t h e s p i r i t o f M o nt s e r r a t t h r o u g h t h e c r e a t i o n o f p r e m i u m r u m s . C r a f te d t o h o n o r M o nt s e r r a t ’s h e r i t a g e, w h i l e m e et i n g g l o b a l s t a n d a r d s , R176 8 r u m s we r e c r e a t e d w i t h a c l e a r m i s s i o n: t o p r o d u c e a p r e m i u m C a r i b b e a n r u m t h a t c a r r i e s M o nt s e r r a t ’s s t o r y t o t h e w o r l d. Fr o m f e r m e nt a t i o n t o f i n i s h i n g , t h e b r a n d h a s f o c u s e d o n q u a l i t y, a u t h e nt i c i t y, a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l b r a n d exe c u t i o n t o e n s u r e i nte r n a t i o n a l c o m p et i t i ve n e s s . R176 8 Re b e l a n d R176 8 Revo l t h ave a l r e a d y b e g u n t u r n i n g h e a d s a c r o s s t h e U K , w h e r e t h ey we r e s o f t - i nt r o d u c e d a t s e l e c t r u m f e s t i va l s i n 2 0 24 a n d 2 0 2 5 . T h e e a r l y s h o wc a s e wa s d e s i g n e d t o ex p o s e c o n s u m e r s a n d r et a i l e r s t o a p r e m i u m M o nt s e r r a t m a d e p r o d u c t , o n e t h a t s t a n d s s h o u l d e r- t o - s h o u l d e r w i t h g l o b a l r u m b r a n d s . ht t p s: // j s r s p i r i t s .c o m / RO N d e l B A R R ILITO Puer to Rican producer Ron del Barrilito has a n n o u n c e d t h e U. S . d e b u t o f D o n Pe d r o Fe r n á n d e z
S e l e c t i o n III , a 31- ye a r- o l d s i n g l e - c a s k r u m . T h e l i m i te d - e d i t i o n ex p r e s s i o n, p a r t o f t h e b r a n d ’s A u t o b i o g r a f ía s e r i e s , wa s a g e d i n a s i n g l e exO l o r o s o s h e r r y c a s k a n d i s l i m i t e d t o j u s t 18 6 b o t t l e s . T h e r u m c o m e s f r o m C a s k # 3 0 5 7, w h i c h wa s l a i d d o w n i n t h e H a c i e n d a S a nt a A n a wa r e h o u s e i n 19 9 4. T h i s r e l e a s e p ay s t r i b u te t o f o u n d e r D o n Pe d r o Fe r n á n d e z , w h o s t u d i e d c o g n a c - m a k i n g i n Fr a n c e b ef o r e r et u r n i n g t o P u e r t o R i c o i n 1871 a n d h i s p r a c t i c e o f i d e nt i f y i n g a n d s et t i n g a s i d e exc e pt i o n a l b a r r e l s f o r ex te n d e d m a t u r a t i o n. B a r r i l i t o’s M a s te r B l e n d e r, L u i s P l a n a s , c o m m e nt e d o n t h e r u m’s d eve l o p m e nt . “ T h i s r u m i s a r ef l e c t i o n o f t h e d e c a d e s - l o n g m a r r i a g e b et we e n s p i r i t , a i r, a n d ex- s h e r r y c a s k . I t d e l i ve r s a n a t u r a l l y b a l a n c e d yet c o m p l ex m a s te r p i e c e, a g l i m p s e i nt o t h e b e a u t y a n d u n i q u e n e s s o f t r u e s i n g l e - c a s k a g i n g .” T h e b r a n d h i g h l i g ht e d t h e r a r i t y o f a c a s k s u r v i v i n g for more than three decades with both its quality a n d vo l u m e i nt a c t , n o t i n g t h a t m a ny b a r r e l s o f t h i s a g e a r e e i t h e r l o s t t o eva p o r a t i o n o r b e c o m e t o o c o n c e nt r a te d f o r a s i n g l e - c a s k b o t t l i n g . S e l e c t i o n III m a r ks t h e f i r s t t i m e a r u m f r o m t h i s s e r i e s w i l l b e ava i l a b l e i n t h e U. S . m a r ket . T h e f i r s t t w o e d i t i o n s we r e s o l d exc l u s i ve l y a t t h e H a c i e n d a S a nt a A n a V i s i t o r C e nte r i n B aya m ó n, P u e r t o R i c o. R o n d e l B a r r i l i t o e m p h a s i ze s i t s p r o d u c t i o n p r o c e s s , w h i c h i t s t a te s d o e s n o t u s e a s o l e r a sy s t e m o r a d d i t i ve s l i ke sugar and caramel coloring. ht t p s: //r o n d e l b a r r i l i t o.c o m / D ICTATO R R U M A c a d e my Awa r d w i n n e r W i l l S m i t h h a s s p e nt f o u r d e c a d e s a s a w o r l d - c l a s s e nt e r t a i n e r, f i r s t a n e m c e e, t h e n a b u z z y te l ev i s i o n a n d f i l m s t a r, b ef o r e e l eva t i n g h i s s t a r d o m a s a b u s i n e s s m a n, p r o d u c e r a n d b e s t - s e l l i n g a u t h o r. S m i t h r a i s e s t h e b a r a g a i n a s h e n o w j o i n s D i c t a d o r Ru m a s G l o b a l C r e a t i ve D i r e c t o r. H i s f i r s t p r o j e c t w i l l b e t h e G a m e C h a n g e r C o l l e c t i o n. A f t e r s h o w i n g i nte r e s t i n b e i n g a n i nt e g r a l p a r t o f D i c t a d o r, S m i t h wa s p i tc h e d t h e i d e a o f a l e g a c y r u m by Po l i s h e nt r e p r e n e u r M a r i u s z J aw o s ze k , w h o i s C EO a n d o w n e r o f D i c t a d o r. “ We s e e b r a n d b u i l d i n g i n a d i f f e r e nt way. A n d I t h i n k t h i s i s t h e s u c c e s s o f D i c t a d o r,” s ay s J aw o s ze k . “ Eve r y t h i n g I a m d o i n g w i t h my t e a m i s j u s t t o e n h a n c e a n d s h o w h o w g o o d [ t h e d r i n k i s] , b e c a u s e t h e e s s e n c e i s i n t h e b o t t l e. T h e r e s t i s j u s t t h e e n e r g y, t h e c r e a t i o n, t h e c o l l e c t a b i l i t y.” T h e G a m e C h a n g e r, a C o l o m b i a n r u m e n h a n c e d w i t h r ef i n e d n o te s o f c a r a m e l, d r i e d c i t r u s , h o n ey a n d o a k , h a s a s m o o t h n e s s t h a t c o m p l e m e nt s t h e c o l l e c t i o n’s b o t t l e s , g r a f f i t i - d e s i g n e d Ko n g s c u l pt u r e s c r a f te d by Fr e n c h a r t i s t R i c h a r d O r l i n s k i. A l t h o u g h a n h o m a g e t o f i ve d e c a d e s o f O r l i n s k i f i g u r i n e s , t h e b o t t l e s a l s o n o d t o S m i t h’s b e g i n n i n g s o n T h e Fr e s h P r i n c e o f B e l - A i r, h i s a c t i n g d e b u t w h i c h e s t a b l i s h e d h i m a s a h o u s e h o l d n a m e. “ I n my g e n e r a t i o n, we g r ew u p o n W i l l ’s m ov i e s . H e i s a n i c o n f o r my g e n e r a t i o n. H e’s a n i c o n o f f i l m , a n i c o n o f m u s i c a n d a r t ,” J aw o s ze k ex p l a i n s . “ S o, i t w o u l d b e, o f c o u r s e, d i f f i c u l t t o i m a g i n e a b et te r p e r s o n a l i t y t o c o l l a b o r a te w i t h,
t o h ave i n t h e c o m p a ny t h a n W i l l S m i t h.” S m i t h wa s s h o o t i n g 2 019 s c i - f i a c t i o n f l i c k G e m i n i M a n in Car tagena when he began drinking Dictador l i ke t h e l o c a l s , a l t h o u g h h e a d m i t te d l y wa s n’ t a f r e q u e nt r u m d r i n ke r. B u t i t wa s J aw o s ze k ’s b r a n d and vision that had Smith sold on bringing his for te t o t h e c o m p a ny. “ W h a t g o t m e a b o u t M a r i u s z i s t h e a b s o l u te c o m m i t m e nt t o a r t ,” S m i t h s h a r e s . “ I t i s my b e l i ef a n d i t i s t h e d evo t i o n o f my l i f e t h a t a r t w i l l b e a b i g p a r t o f b r i n g i n g p e o p l e t o g et h e r a n d e l eva t i n g h u m a n i t y t h r o u g h a r t i s t i c exc h a n g e a n d i nte r a c t i o n. W h e n I t h o u g ht a b o u t t h e i d e a o f a Po l i s h b u s i n e s s m a n w i t h a C o l o m b i a n r u m f a m i l y w i t h a n A f r i c a n - A m e r i c a n G l o b a l C r e a t i ve D i r e c t o r, I t wa s ex a c t l y w h a t I wa nte d t o d o w i t h my l i f e. B r i n g i n g p e o p l e t o g et h e r g l o b a l l y i n t h e s p i r i t o f a r t i s t i c c o l l a b o r a t i o n t o b e a b l e t o c e nt e r m e et i n g s a n d eve nt s a r o u n d g l o b a l a r t i s t i c c o l l a b o r a t i o n, I wa s j u s t o n f i r e w i t h t h a t i d e a .” ht t p s: //d i c t a d o r.c o m / W O R TH Y PA R K V ISITO R S CE N T R E T h e J a m a i c a G l e a n e r r e p o r t s t h a t t h e Wo r t hy Pa r k V i s i t o r s C e nt r e c o nt i n u e s t o a t t r a c t l o c a l a n d i nte r n a t i o n a l v i s i t o r s i nte r e s te d i n J a m a i c a’s r u m m a k i n g h e r i t a g e, w i t h m o r e t h a n 10, 0 0 0 p e o p l e t o u r i n g t h e f a c i l i t y ove r t h e p a s t f ew ye a r s . L o c a te d a t Wo r t hy Pa r k E s t a te, t h e v i s i t o r s c e nt r e p r ov i d e s g u i d e d t o u r s o f J a m a i c a’s o n l y s i n g l e e s t a te d i s t i l l e r y, w h e r e eve r y s t a g e o f r u m p r o d u c t i o n f r o m s u g a r c a n e c u l t i va t i o n t o d i s t i l l a t i o n a n d b o t t l i n g t a ke s p l a c e o n o n e p r o p e r t y. T h e e s t a t e i s f u l l y J a m a i c a n - o w n e d a n d o p e r a te d. Wo r t hy Pa r k h a s b e e n p a r t o f J a m a i c a’s a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d i n d u s t r i a l l a n d s c a p e s i n c e 1670, m a k i n g i t o n e o f t h e i s l a n d ’s o l d e s t c o nt i n u o u s l y o p e r a t i n g e s t a te s . Historical records show that rum production at t h e e s t a te d a te s b a c k t o 1741, g i v i n g i t t h e o l d e s t d o c u m e nt e d h i s t o r y a m o n g J a m a i c a’s ex i s t i n g d i s t i l l e r i e s . V i s i t o r s b e g i n t h e ex p e r i e n c e w i t h a n ove r v i ew o f t h e e s t a t e’s h i s t o r y a n d s u g a r c a n e farming practices, including the production of s u g a r a n d m o l a s s e s . T h e t o u r t h e n m ove s t o t h e d i s t i l l e r y, w h e r e g u e s t s o b s e r ve h o w s u g a r c a n e i s t r a n s f o r m e d i nt o r u m u s i n g t r a d i t i o n a l m et h o d s , i n c l u d i n g t h e i c o n i c d o u b l e r et o r t p o t s t i l l. T h e tour concludes with a guided rum tasting, during w h i c h v i s i t o r s s a m p l e s e l e c t e d ex p r e s s i o n s f r o m t h e Wo r t hy Pa r k p o r t f o l i o w h i l e l e a r n i n g a b o u t f l avo r p r o f i l e s , p r o d u c t i o n s t y l e s a n d t h e c o n n e c t i o n b et we e n t h e r u m a n d t h e l a n d o n w h i c h i t i s p r o d u c e d. Wo r t hy Pa r k r u m s h ave r e c e i ve d i nte r n a t i o n a l r e c o g n i t i o n a n d awa r d s , c o nt r i b u t i n g t o J a m a i c a’s r e p u t a t i o n i n t h e g l o b a l s p i r i t s’ m a r ket . To u r s a r e o f f e r e d t w i c e d a i l y, a t 10: 0 0 a m a n d 2: 0 0 p m , f r o m Tu e s d ay t o S a t u r d ay. T h e e s t a t e i s l o c a te d j u s t ove r a n h o u r ’s d r i ve f r o m K i n g s t o n a n d p r ov i d e s free parking, a bar area and a gif t shop featuring m e r c h a n d i s e a n d l i m i te d - r e l e a s e p r o d u c t s ava i l a b l e o n l y o n s i t e. A d va n c e b o o k i n g i s r e q u i r e d. ht t p s: // w o r t hy p a r ke s t a t e.c o m / t o u r/
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 3 3
The Sweet Business of Sugar
Got R um ? Ja January n u a ry 2026 2 0 2 6 - 34 34
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Re g a r dl e s s of di st i ll at i o n e qui p m e nt , fe r m e nt at i o n m et h o d, a g i n g o r b l e n di n g te c hni qu e s, a ll r um p r o du c e r s h ave o n e t hi n g i n c o m m o n: su g a r c a n e. W i t h o ut su g a r c a n e we wo ul d n ot h ave su g a r m i ll s, c o unt l e s s f a r m e r s wo ul d n ot h ave a p r of i t a b l e c r o p a n d we wo ul d n ot h ave r um!
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O f f e r ing Bot t ling /Co - Pac king S e r vic e s Rum C e nt r a l i s l o c ate d w i t hi n t h e Texa s Tr i a n g l e, a r e g i o n i n Texas f o r m e d by t h e st ate’s f o ur m ai n m et r o p o li t a n a r e as. T h e Texa s Tr i a n g l e i s o n e of e l eve n m e g a r e g i o ns i n t h e U ni te d S t ate s a n d i s h o m e to a p p r ox i m ate ly 75% of t h e S t ate’s p o p ul at i o n. T hi s a r e a a l s o b e n ef i t s sub st a nt i a lly f r o m t r ad e w i t h M ex i c o, t h e U ni te d S t ate s’ t hi r d l a r g e st t r ad e p a r t n e r. Rum C e nt r a l i s 3 0 M i l e s f r o m Aust i n, w i t h c o nve ni e nt ac c e s s to i nte r st ate hi g hways, r ai l li n e s, ai r p o r t s a n d s e a p o r t s (w i t hi n 25 0 m i l e s of 4 of t h e to p 10 U.S. s e a p o r t s), g u a r a nte e i n g f ast a n d ef f i c i e nt s hi p p i n g of yo ur dr y a n d f i ni s h e d g o o ds. D o yo u n e e d m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n? C o nt ac t us v i a o ur we b s i te b e l ow !
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G y 2026 - 55 Goott Ru Rum m?? JJaannuuaarry
Got Got Rum R um?? January January 22002266 -- 56 56
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The History and Science of the Barrel In the world of distilled spirits, nothing evokes elegance, sophistication and transformation more than barrel aging. The right barrels, in the right hands, can transform the mundane into the spectacular. Whether it is American, French, Colombian, Bulgarian or other oak variety, a well-made barrel is the magic chamber within which time slowly transforms the contents. Join us as we explore the world of barrels. We’ll take a deep dive into the physical and chemical transformations that take place inside the world’s preferred aging vessels.
G Goott Ru Rum m?? JJaannuuaary ry 22002266 -- 5577
The History and Science of the Barrel Lesson 1: The Art of Cooperage Welcome to The Rum University’s newest course! Over the course of this year we will bring you 12 informative lessons about the history and importance of oak barrels. You can find additional courses and material on the university’s website at www.RumUniversity.com.
“Cooper, noun, one who makes or repairs wooden casks, barrels or tubs”
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oopers as professional craftsmen date back to the origin of the wooden casks themselves. Historians disagree on when and where wooden barrels were first used, what they do agree on is that the Romans took full advantage of barrels for storing and transporting goods. The biggest challenge to researching wooden artifacts is that they deteriorate much faster than their metal or ceramic counterparts, thus the evidence of their existence easily vanishes.
Early Greek and Roman writers credit the Gauls with the development of barrels. For example, Roman author and naturalist Gaius Plinius Secundus (also known as Pliny the Elder), who died in 79 AD, wrote that the Gauls stored their wine in “wooden containers that were held together with metal hoops.” A couple of decades before then, Julius Caesar invaded Gaul at Uxellodenum, the Roman army faced an enemy armed with wooden barrels filled with pitch and grease -a primitive incendiary bomb- which were lit and rolled down the hills toward the invading soldiers. These wooden barrels were called “cupae,” from where we derive the word “cooper.” Regardless of the origin of their profession or the root of its name, coopers are responsible for building the foundation upon which aged wines and spirits around the world are forged. Today some companies are adding saw dust, wood chips and other by-products to their beverages in order to impart rich wood flavors without having to actualy age them. Fortunately for us, none of these techniques have fully replicated the metamorphosis that takes place inside a real wood cask, so the need for coopers and their finished products is as strong as ever. Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 58
Why wood? Wooden barrels replaced clay pots and amphorae because they were lighter, stronger, could hold larger volumes and had a longer usable life. So despite the fact that barrel making required more time and a specialized labor force, the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks and barrels became the container of choice. Wooden barrels had an added benefit: they imparted nutty, spicy and other flavors and aromas to the liquids they stored, further enhancing the drinkability of wine, beer and later of distilled spirits. But of all woods, why oak? Lesson II will answer this question in great detail. Family traditions, family names In much the same way that the profession of smithing produced the common English
surname Smith and the German name Schmidt, the trade of cooperage also gave the English name Cooper, French name Tonnelier and Tonnellier, Greek name Βαρελάς/Varelas, Danish name Bødker, German names like Faßbinder (literally cask binder), Böttcher (tub maker), Fässler and Keiper, Dutch names like Kuiper or Cuypers, the Latvian name Mucenieks, the Hungarian name Kádár, Bodnár, Polish names such as Bednarz, Bednarski or Bednarczyk, the Czech name Bednář, the Romanian names Dogaru and Butnaru, Ukrainian family name Bondarenko, Ukrainian/Russian name Bondar, the Jewish name Bodner and the Portuguese names Tanoeiro and Toneleiro, Spanish Cubero and Macedonian Bacvarovski (Македонски: Бачваровски). Join us again next month, as we continue to explore the world of barrels!
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 5 9
CIG A R & R UbyMPhi liPA IRING p I li B a r ake
Got R um ? January 2 0 2 6 - 60
Last Dinner A c o up l e of we e ks a g o, I r e c e i ve d a n i nv i t at i o n to at te n d a m e et i n g of a c i g a r s m o ke r ’s c lub. A n i nf o r m a l g at h e r i n g t h at p r ov i d e s a s et t i n g f o r f r i e n ds to s h a r e a g o o d t i m e w hi l e s m o k i n g f i n e c i g a r s. S i n c e I was i n S a nt i a g o, I ac c e pte d i m m e di ate ly. T h e c o n c e pt was ve r y s i m p l e: t h e r e was a n as s o r t m e nt of c i g a r s o n t h e t a b l e a n d at te n d e e s we r e f r e e to s e l e c t t h e o n e (s) t h ey wa nte d. E ac h p e r s o n was t h e n r e s p o ns i b l e f o r t h e i r ow n ba r t a b.
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y n a m e i s Ph i l i p I l i B a r a ke, S o m m e l i e r by t r a d e. A s a r e s u l t o f w o r k i n g w i t h s e l e c te d r e s t a u r a nt s a n d w i n e p r o d u c e r s i n C h i l e, I s t a r te d d eve l o p i n g a p a s s i o n for distilled spirits and cigars. As par t of my m o s t r e c e nt j o b, I h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o v i s i t m a ny C e nt r a l A m e r i c a n c o u nt r i e s , a s we l l a s , r u m d i s t i l l e r i e s a n d t o b a c c o g r o we r s . B u t my p a s s i o n f o r s p i r i t s a n d c i g a r s d i d n ot e n d t h e r e; i n 2 010 I h a d t h e h o n o r o f r e p r e s e nt i n g C h i l e a t t h e I nte r n a t i o n a l C i g a r S o m m e l i e r C o m p et i t i o n, w h e r e I w o n f i r s t p l a c e, b e c o m i n g t h e f i r s t S o u t h A m e r i c a n t o eve r a c h i eve t h a t f e a t . Now I face the challenge of impressing t h e r e a d e r s o f “ G o t Ru m? ” w i t h w h a t i s perhaps the toughest task for a Sommelier: d i s c u s s i n g p a i r i n g s w h i l e b e i n g we l l awa r e t h at t h e r e a r e a s m a ny i n d i v i d u a l p r ef e r e n c e s a s t h e r e a r e r u m s a n d c i g a r s i n t h e wo r l d.
I b e l i eve a p a i r i n g i s a n ex p e r i e n c e t h a t s h o u l d n ot b e l i m i te d t o o n l y t w o p r o d u c t s; i t i s s o m et h i n g t h a t c a n b e i n c o r p o r a te d i nt o o u r l i ve s . I hope to help our r e a d e r s d i s c ove r a n d a p p r e c i ate t h e pleasure of tr ying 2026 n ew t h i n g s (o r ex p e r i e n c i n g k n o w n t h i n g s i n n ew way s).
I h ad f o r g ot te n w h at i t was like to b e i n S a nt i a g o dur i n g t h e sum m e r (t h e S o ut h e r n h e m i s p h e r e h as t h e o p p o s i te we at h e r as t h e N o r t h e r n o n e), s o t h e h e at m ot i vate d m e to l e a n towa r ds c o l d b e e r, s o m et hi n g I r e p e ate d s eve r a l t i m e s. G o o d c o nve r s at i o ns a l ways e m e r g e w h e n yo u a r e sur r o un d e d by f r i e n ds. Eve n i f yo u d o n’ t k n ow eve r yo n e a r o un d yo u, i f a ll a r e p as s i o n ate a b o ut c i g a r s, i t i s as i f we we r e a ll f a ns of t h e s a m e f o ot ba ll c lub a n d we r e at a s p o r t s ba r watc hi n g o ur te a m p l ay i n a c h a m p i o ns hi p g a m e! T h e c i g a r as s o r t m e nt i n c lu d e d s o m e t h at I h ad p r ev i o us ly s m o ke d, f r o m Full e r Ci g a r a n d a l s o f r o m C as a M a g n a, b ut t h e r e we r e n ew f o r m at s a n d I n at ur a lly we nt f o r t h o s e. O n e of t h e m was At ac a m a, f r o m t h e Va ll e s d e C hi l e li n e, a c i g a r w i t h a di st i n c t i ve g r e e n ba n d a n d w i t h a n exc e ll e nt p r i c e /qu a li t y p r o p o s i t i o n. I t s i nte ns i t y was l ow - to - m e di um, b ut ac c o m p a ni e d by a b e e r, i t h a r dly c a m e ac r o s s as m e di um. I n ot h e r wo r ds, t h e dr i nk yo u p ai r t h e c i g a r w i t h w i ll i nva r i a b ly af fe c t h ow yo u p e r c e i ve t h e to bac c o.
Philip # GRC i g a r Pa i r i n g
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 6 1
Ph oto s c r e di t : @ Ci g a r i li
Got Got Rum R um?? January January 22002266 -- 62 62
Ph oto c r e di t : @ C i g a r i li T h e c o m p o s i t i o n of t h e c i g a r i n c lu d e s to bac c o l e ave s f r o m Ec u ad o r a n d f r o m t h e D o m i ni c a n Re p ub li c , t hus r e sult i n g i n t h e l ow i nte ns i t y. T h e f o r m at I s e l e c te d was a Ro b usto (5 x 5 0), o r a b o ut a 3 0 - m i nute s m o k i n g s e s s i o n.
I t i s e s s e nt i a l to h ave o p p o r t uni t i e s like t hi s o n e, f o r c i g a r af f i c i o n ad o s su c h as us, eve n i f t h ey a r e n ot ve r y f r e qu e nt . I t r uly h o p e t h at yo u c a n m ake t i m e to h ave o n e w i t h yo ur f r i e n ds s o t h at yo u to o c a n h ave a g r e at t i m e, as I di d i n S a nt i a g o.
M o r e t h a n f i n di n g t h e p e r fe c t b eve r a g e p ai r i n g s f o r t h e c i g a r s, t h e p ur p o s e of t h e g at h e r i n g was f o r eve r yo n e to c atc h up. I to o k t h e o p p o r t uni t y to d e s c r i b e o n e of my r e c e nt p ai r i n g s to o n e of t h e at te n d e e s.
I w i s h eve r yo n e g r e at su c c e s s i n 2 0 2 6 , m ay yo ur dr e a m s a n d g o a l s b e c o m e a r e a li t y. I h o p e t h at yo u r e m ai n h e a lt hy a n d t h at yo u a l ways h ave a g r e at b ot t l e of r um n e a r by. M ay a ll n e g at i ve t h o u g ht s a n d st r e s s e s di s s i p ate w i t h e ac h p u f f f r o m yo ur c i g a r s!
T hi s i s w h at f r i e n dly r e uni o ns a r e f o r. N owadays, m o st of us h ave c hi l dr e n a n d f i n di n g t h e t i m e to g et to g et h e r i s c o m p li c ate d, s o I to o k ad va nt a g e of t hi s o p p o r t uni t y a n d e n d e d up s m o k i n g 3 c i g a r s, w hi l e ke e p i n g mys e l f p r o p e r ly hydr ate d!
Wa r m e st w i s h e s to a ll! Phi li p I li B a r ake # GRCi g a r Pai r i n g
G o t Ru m ? J a n u a ry 2 0 2 6 - 6 3
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