December2024_Magcloud

Got Rum? D e c e m b e r 2024

®

f r o m t h e g r a s s t o yo u r g l a s s , s i n c e 20 01!

COOKING WITH RUM - Angel’s Share - CIGAR & Rum RUM HISTORIAN - The AMAZING WORLD OF ALCOHOL RUM IN THE NEWS - THE IMBIBER’S ALMANAC RUM IN HISTORY - THE SWEET BUSINESS OF SUGAR GOt RUM? Team interview

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26 Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 2

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Contents

December 2024 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 14-19 T HE IM B I B ER ’ S A LM A N A C 20-21 T HE RUM UNIVERSI T Y ® LI B R A R Y 26-29 T h e RUM HIS T ORI A N 34-39 T HE A M A Z ING WORLD O F A L C OHOL 40-43 RUM IN HIS T OR Y 44-47 RUM IN T HE NEWS 48-53 T HE SWEE T B USINESS O F SUG A R 54-63 T e a m i n t e r v i e w 64-67 C IG A R a n d RUM PA IRING

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G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 24 - 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 © 2024 by Rum Runner Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

December 2024 Edi tor and P ubl i sher:

l ui s@ gotrum.com

Executi ve Edi tor:

margaret@ gotrum. com

C i gar and Rum:

phi l i p@ gotrum.co m

A ngel ’s Share: paul @ gotrum.com Rum Hi stori an:

marco@ gotrum.c om

Rum i n the New s:

mi ke@ gotrum.com

C ooki ng w i th Rum:

sue@ gotrum.com

Webmaster: w eb@ gotrum.com Di rector of P hotography:

art@ gotrum.com

If you would like to submit news or press releases, please forward them to:

n e w s @g o tr u m . c o m You can download the free electronic version (low-res) of this magazine, or purchase the high resolution printed version at:

WWW. GOTRUM. COM The printed version of “Got Rum?” is produced with FSC-certified paper, which means it is from responsibly managed forests and verified recycled sources.

F RON T C OVER : Hol i day Spi ri t INSIDE S P RE A D : Wi nter Is C omi ng

F ROM T HE EDI T OR

Growth and Survival Strategies In The Rum World One of the most common questions I received this year during consulting engagements is “how can a rum brand better position itself to survive a tough economy?”

My answers are always customized, based on each client’s specific situation, risk tolerance and installed capacity (production and distribution). But here are a few points that should apply to most: •

Know where you are: understand which tiers your products retail in (Value, Premium, High-End Premium or Super Premium) and what the 3, 5 and 10-year growth patterns are for those tiers.

•

Know your competitors: understand who dominates each tier, how they promote their products (tastings, ads), how often they refresh their image, their on/off premise allocations, etc.

•

•

Analyze your costs: what percentage of your total COGS (Cost of Goods) is labor, materials, freight? Are you overspending on freight because your primary markets are located far away from your bottling/manufacturing? Are you using the same bottle for both your low-end and high-end products?

If so, your COGS/Profit ratio will be imbalanced for low-end products.

Be creative: if you only bottle your products at 40% ABV, consider diluting less (or not diluting at all), to offer discerning consumers “cask strength” versions of products they already love, but at a higher price. The results may surprise you.

I am always happy when consulting clients approach me with a desire to collaborate

on these and other strategies. It shows me that they are not blinded to reality (everyone is facing challenges) and that they are open to changing the way they do things. Norman Vincent Peale -one of my favorite authors- famously wrote “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

This being my last editorial of 2024, I’d like to close the year by wishing all members of the rum industry calmness, wisdom, kindness and happiness, so that 2025 can be the best year yet for themselves, their families, their clients and their employees.

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 R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 24 - 5

T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE

by Paul S e nf t

Diplomátic o Rum Selección De Familia

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 Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 6

D ip l o mát ic o has b e en p ro duc ing r ums in Venezue la sinc e 19 5 9, w hen it was founde d by D o n J uanc h o N i eto M e léndez. Using m o las se s c reate d f ro m l o c ally grow n c ane, t he m o las se s is fer mente d fo r a minimum of 24 h our s. T he c o mpany t hen dist ills t he fer mente d li qui d using a c o mbinat i o n of p ot and c o lumn st ills and ag e s t heir r um in use d w hiskey bar re ls and sher r y c asks. T he S e le c c i ó n de Familia is ag e d fo r 12 year s and blende d under t he sup er v isi o n of M aster B lender N e ls o n H er nandez to 4 3% A BV. Appearance T he 75 0 - ml b ot t le is o paque w it h a b ei g e and b lac k lab e l. T he b ot t l e de si gn is in line w it h t he re st of t he D ip l o mát ic o line, w it h a g o o d bit of info r mat i o n ab out t he p ro duc t woven into t he de si gn.

T he li qui d h o lds a dar k amb er c o l o r w it h bur gundy hi ghli ght s. S w ir ling t he li qui d c reate s a me dium band t hat spins of f a single fast m ov ing le g b efo re quic k ly b eading up and re leasing t wo wave s of sl ow m ov ing le gs b efo re evap o r at ing, leav ing a r ing of re si due around t he glas s.

Nose T he aro ma of t he r um b e gins w it h swe et c ar ame lize d vanilla, fo ll owe d by o r ang e ze st , p lums, st r aw b er r y, and oak spi c e s.

Pa l a t e S ipping t he r um de liver s a sw ir l of li ght b o dy alc o ho l w it h t he f r uit f lavo r s f ro m t he ar o ma f r o nt and c enter, t ak ing t he hi gh note s. A tof fe e note t ake s t he mi dline, w hile t he oak wo o d and spic e note s of c l ove, c innam o n, and allspic e fo r m t he foundat i o n. A s t he r um b e gins to fade, a li ght oak sm o k y to bac c o leaf ast r ingency br i ef ly do minate s t he palate befo re t he ot her f lavo r s blend, c reat ing a l o ng, balanc e d f inish.

Revi ew

S ele c c i ó n de Familia is easy to sip, and fo r t ho se w ho sm o ke c i gar s, an easy pair ing re c o mmendat i o n. I c an see w here it w ill shine in so me c las sic c o c k t ails, adding uni que sm ok y f r uit t w ist s to so me c las sic s.

O ver all, a pl easing sur p r ise t hat is a s o li d re c o mmendat i o n fo r shar ing w it h f r i ends w ho enj oy sipping r um and w hiskey.

w w w.rondiplomatic o.c om

I have t r i e d quite a few r ums f ro m Venezue la over t he year s, and t he D ipl o mát ic o line fo r year s had Re ser va E xc lusiva as t heir easily approac hab l e sipping r um. M y c ur i o sit y was how similar t he t wo p ro duc t s woul d b e and I was pl ease d to disc over t hat t he S ele c c i ó n de Familia, w hile having a similar p e di gree, has it s ow n dist inc t f lavo r pr of il e and, by c o mpar iso n, was l e s s sweet and m o re ear t hy t han t he Re ser va E xc lusiva.

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 24 - 7

T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE

by Paul S e nf t

Kokomo Barrel Finished Rum T h e Ko ko m o b r a n d i s bas e d i n S a n D i e g o, C a li f o r ni a, a n d c o - f o un d e d by M ike Love of t h e B e ac h B oys a n d H e ad of D i st i ll e r y O p e r at i o ns, G e of f Lo n g e n e c ke r. T h e b r a n d p r o du c e s a li n e of r e ady - to - dr i nk c o c k t ai l s as we ll as r um s a n d g i ns i n p a r t n e r s hi p w i t h t h e i r sub s i di a r y c o m p a ny, S eve n C ave S p i r i t s. T h e r um s f o r t h e i r ba r r e l - f i ni s h e d b l e n d a r e s o ur c e d f r o m B a r bad o s, t h e D o m i ni c a n Re p ub li c , a n d J a m ai c a, a n d t h e s o ur c e di st i ll e r y e i t h e r us e d m o l as s e s o r D e m e r a r a c a n e su g a r to m ake t h e c o m p o n e nt r um. A ll of t h e r um s i n t h e b l e n d we r e c r e ate d us i n g p ot st i ll s a n d we r e a g e d i n n ew o ak o r us e d w hi te o ak B o ur b o n ba r r e l s f o r a m i ni mum of e i g ht ye a r s w i t h a m a x i mum of 12 ye a r s. T h e r um i s b l e n d e d to 4 6% A BV a n d b ot t l e d f o r di st r i b ut i o n i n C a li f o r ni a. T h e c o m p a ny d o e s n ot us e a ny ad di t i ve s o r c o l o r i n g i n t h e i r p r o du c t s.

Appearance T h e a r t i st i c l a b e l w r a p s t h e b ot t l e of t h e s h o r t- n e c ke d 75 0 - m l b ot t l e a n d p r ov i d e s t h e bas i c i nf o r m at i o n a b o ut t h e r um i n t h e b ot t l e. S o m e of t h e p r o du c t i o n d et ai l s a r e i n a h a r d - to - r e ad s c r i pt at t h e b ot to m of t h e b ot t l e l a b e l, b ut t h e r e st of t h e l a b e l i s qui te c l e a r. T h e b l ac k p l ast i c n e c k w r a p s e c ur e s a wo o d e n - c a p p e d sy nt h et i c c o r k to t h e b ot t l e.

T h e r um h as a da r k g o l d e n a m b e r c o l o r i n t h e b ot t l e a n d li g hte ns s li g ht ly i n t h e g l as s.

S w i r li n g t h e li qui d c r e ate s a m e di um ba n d t h at s l ow ly b e ads up, r e l e as i n g a c o up l e of t hi c k , s l ow - m ov i n g l e g s d ow n t h e s i d e of t h e g l as s. It t ake s a few m i nute s f o r t h e ba n d to eva p o r ate, l e av i n g b e hi n d a r i n g of b e ads a r o un d t h e g l as s.

Nose T h e a r o m a of t h e r um i s swe et va ni ll a f o r wa r d, f o ll owe d by n ote s of ba n a n as, dr i e d a p r i c ot s, a n d c o o ke d p e a r s. A s t h e

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 8

f r ui t n ote s b e g i n to f ad e, t h e r e i s a b r i ef hi t of l e m o n ze st t h at h e lp s t a m p d ow n t h e swe et n e s s. Wo o d s p i c e s of c i nn a m o n, nut m e g, a n d s m o k y g i n g e r r o un d o ut t h e ex p e r i e n c e.

Pa l a t e T h e f i r st s i p of t h e r um c o n di t i o ns t h e p a l ate w i t h a sw i r l of swe et c a r a m e l, s li g ht ly c h ew y s m o k y wo o d n ote s, a n d a l c o h o l. Ad di t i o n a l s i p s r eve a l e d t h e c o o ke d p e a r s f r o m t h e a r o m a, b ut a l s o ba n a n a b r e ad, c i nn a m o n, a n d s m o k y wo o d n ote s. T h e l e m o n ze st n ote r et ur ns at t h e f i ni s h, di a li n g d ow n t h e swe et n e s s of t h e s p i r i t a n d l et t i n g t h e wo o d n ote s m a ni fe st i n a p l e as a nt m e di um f i ni s h.

Rev i ew I a m t h e f i r st to adm i t t h at I a m dr aw n to mult i - i s l a n d r um b l e n ds a n d was i m m e di ate ly i nt r i g u e d w h e n I l e a r n e d a b o ut t hi s p r o du c t . T h e e i g ht- to t we l ve -ye a r a g e r a n g e i s c e r t ai n ly a swe et s p ot w h e n we t hi nk of a g e d r um s, a n d t hi s o n e h as s o m e i nte r e st i n g t hi n g s g o i n g o n. Fi r st , t h e b i g g e st sur p r i s e was t h e swe et n e s s of t h e r um. T h e c o m p a ny c l e a r ly st ate s t h at t h ey d o n ot us e swe ete n e r s a n d ad di t i ve s, s o t h e st r e n g t h of t h e c a r a m e lize d va ni ll a swe et n e s s st a n ds o ut . S e c o n d, I e nj oye d t h e a r o m a a n d t h e way t h e f r ui t f l avo r s m a ni fe ste d o n t h e p a l ate. T h e l e m o n ze st n ote t h at p o p p e d i n b ot h t h e a r o m a a n d p a l ate eva lu at i o ns ba l a n c e d t h e s p i r i t i n a g o o d way a n d l et t h e s p i c y wo o d n ote s m a ni fe st we ll i nto t h e f i ni s h. O ve r a ll, I f o un d, b e c aus e of t h e swe et n e s s, Ko ko m o B a r r e l Fi ni s h e d Rum to b e a p l e as a nt af te r- di nn e r s i p p i n g r um t h at i s at a c o m p a r a b l e p r i c e to s i m i l a r r um s i n t h e m a r ket . Cur r e nt ly avai l a b l e o n li n e a n d o n t h e we st c o ast of t h e U ni te d S t ate s, i t w i ll b e i nte r e st i n g to ex p e r i e n c e s o m e of t h e ot h e r r um s i n t h e p r o du c t li n e.

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. c lubkokomospir its.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 R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 24 - 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 Rum?? Dece December mber 2024 2024 -- 1100

G Goott R Ruum m?? De Decceemb mbeerr 22002244 -- 11 11

Crockpot Drunken Baked Beans I n g r e di e nt s: •

1 lb. D r i e d N av y B e a ns

•

½ C. Ketc hup

•

½ C. B a r b e qu e (B B Q) S au c e

•

¼ C. B r ow n S u g a r

•

2 T b s p. M o l as s e s

•

2 ½ C. Wate r

•

½ C. D a r k Rum

•

1 Ham Bone

•

1 ½ C. H a m, c h o p p e d

•

½ C. C e l e r y, di c e d

•

½ C. C a r r ot s, di c e d

•

1 ¼ C. W hi te O ni o n, di c e d

•

4 G a r li c C l ove s, m i n c e d

•

2 B ay Le ave s

•

S a lt a n d B l ac k Pe p p e r, to t aste

I nst r u c t i o ns: 1. Yo u w i ll n e e d to s o ak t h e b e a ns p r i o r to ad di n g t h e m i nto t h e c r o c k p ot . B e l ow a r e t wo o pt i o ns, ove r ni g ht o r qui c k s o ak : O ve r ni g ht s o ak- ad d 4 qu a r t s wate r to a l a r g e b ow l a n d ad d 1 p o un d of r i ns e d b e a ns. S o ak at l e ast 8 h o ur s. D r ai n b e a ns we ll.

Q ui c k s o ak- ad d 1 p o un d of r i ns e d b e a ns to a l a r g e s au c e p a n a n d c ove r w i t h 3 i n c h e s of wate r. B r i n g to a b o i l. B o i l r a p i dly f o r 5 m i nute s, t h e n r e m ove f r o m h e at , c ove r, a n d l et st a n d f o r 1 h o ur. D r ai n b e a ns we ll.

2. I n s m a ll b ow l, w hi s k to g et h e r ketc hup, B B Q s au c e, b r ow n su g a r, a n d m o l as s e s.

3. I n t h e b ot to m of t h e c r o c k p ot , ad d b e a ns, wate r, r um, h a m b o n e, c h o p p e d h a m, c e l e r y, c a r r ot s, o ni o n, g a r li c a n d bay l e ave s. Ad d s au c e f r o m s m a ll b ow l a n d st i r to c o m b i n e.

4. C ove r a n d c o o k o n HIGH f o r 6 h o ur s o r o n LOW f o r 10 h o ur s, o r unt i l b e a ns a r e te n d e r.

5. S e as o n to t aste w i t h s a lt a n d b l ac k p e p p e r. Re m ove t h e h a m b o n e b ef o r e s e r v i n g.

P h o t o c r e d i t : b u s h b e a n s .c o m

Got Got Rum Rum?? Dece December mber 2024 2024 -- 1122

Raisins-Apple- Rum Bread Pudding I n g r e di e nt s: •

⅔ C. R ai s i ns

•

¼ C. D a r k o r S p i c e d Rum

•

4 Lr g. Eg g s

•

1 ½ C. W h o l e M i lk

•

½ C. H e av y C r e a m

•

½ C. W hi te S u g a r

•

½ C. B r ow n S u g a r

•

3 T b s p. U ns a lte d B ut te r, m e lte d a n d s li g ht ly c o o l e d

•

½ t s p. G r o un d Ci nn a m o n

•

¼ t s p. G r o un d N ut m e g

•

¼ t s p. S a lt

•

½ t s p. Va ni ll a

•

4 C. H awaii a n B r e ad, c ub e d a n d p ac ke d

•

1 Lr g. Ta r t B ak i n g A p p l e (p e e l e d a n d c o r e d), c ut i nto ⅛ i n c h s li c e s a n d t h e n c ut i n h a l f

•

Va ni ll a I c e C r e a m, f o r s e r v i n g

I nst r u c t i o ns: 1. Pr e h e at t h e ove n to 3 5 0 ° F a n d s et a n ove n r ac k i n t h e m i d dl e p o s i t i o n. S p r ay a 2- qu a r t bak i n g di s h (9 i n. x 9 i n.) w i t h n o nst i c k c o o k i n g s p r ay.

2. Pl ac e t h e r ai s i ns a n d r um i n a s h a ll ow b ow l a n d m i c r owave o n hi g h f o r 3 0 s e c o n ds. Let t h e r ai s i ns s o ak i n t h e r um w hi l e yo u p r e p a r e t h e ot h e r i n g r e di e nt s.

3. I n a l a r g e b ow l, w hi s k t h e e g g s. Ad d t h e m i lk , h e av y c r e a m, w hi te su g a r, b r ow n su g a r, m e lte d b ut te r, c i nn a m o n, nut m e g, s a lt , a n d va ni ll a a n d w hi sk unt i l eve n ly c o m b i n e d. Ad d t h e H awaii a n B r e ad c ub e s, s li c e d a p p l e s a n d r um s o ake d r ai s i ns a n d st i r to c o m b i n e. Po ur t h e m i x t ur e i nto t h e p r e p a r e d bak i n g di s h, m ak i n g sur e t h e a p p l e s a n d r ai s i ns a r e eve n ly di st r i b ute d. A ll ow to st a n d f o r at l e ast 1 h o ur o r r ef r i g e r ate ove r ni g ht .

4. Pl ac e bak i n g di s h i n c e nte r of ove n a n d bake f o r a p p r ox i m ate ly o n e h o ur o r unt i l t h e to p i s g o l d e n a n d p u f f y a n d t h e c e nte r i s s et . S e r ve wa r m w i t h va ni ll a i c e c r e a m.

P h o t o c r e d i t : w w w.f o o d 5 2 .c o m

G Goott R Ruum m?? De Decceemb mbeerr 22002244 -- 1133

The

I m bi ber’s

Almanac A mont hly gui d e fo r t hir st y exp lo re r s loo king fo r n ew rea son s to r ai se t h eir gl a s se s!

The Imbiber’s Almanac - The Rum University ®

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 1 4

Pre sent e d by

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 1 5

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 1 6

T he

I m bi ber’s

Almanac

DECEMBER

A re you looking for festive reasons to raise your glass this month?

H ere are a few of them!

Wr ite to us at info@gotr um.c om if we missed any!

D ECEMBER - N at ional Eg gno g M ont h D EC 10 N a t ional L ag e r Day D EC 14 N a t ional Sc rewd r ive r Day D EC 2 0 N a t ional Sang r i a Day D EC 2 4 N at ional Eg gno g Day D EC 31 N at ional Cha mp agn e Day

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 1 7

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 1 8

The

I m bi ber’s

Almanac Featured C oc k t ail:

Eggnog (December 24th)

I n g r e d i e n t s: • • • • • • • •

1 L a r g e Eg g 2 t s p. S up e r f i n e S u g a r, di v i d e d 1 oz. H e av y C r e a m 1/ 2 t s p. Pur e Va ni ll a E x t r ac t 1/4 t s p. Pur e A lm o n d E x t r ac t 1 1/ 2 oz. Ag e d Rum (m ake sur e i t i s a g e d, n ot j ust “da r k ” ) G r ate d N ut m e g, f o r g a r ni s h G r ate d Ci nn a m o n, f o r g a r ni s h

D i r e c t i o n s: 1. S e p a r ate t h e e g g i nto t wo b ow l s.

2. W i t h a h a n d m i xe r, b e at t h e yo lk unt i l c r e a my.

3. B e at t h e e g g w hi te w i t h 1 te as p o o n su g a r unt i l s of t p e aks f o r m.

4. S l ow ly f o l d t h e e g g w hi te a n d yo lk to g et h e r us i n g a s p o o n.

5. I n a s e p a r ate b ow l, b e at t h e c r e a m w i t h t h e va ni ll a a n d a lm o n d ex t r ac t s a n d t h e r e m ai ni n g 1 te as p o o n of su g a r unt i l st i f f p e aks f o r m. Ad d t h e r um a n d st i r g e nt ly.

6. S l ow ly f o l d t h e c r e a m i nto t h e e g g m i x t ur e.

7. S e r ve i m m e di ate ly ove r i c e, i f yo u like, i n a p un c h o r m a r t i ni g l as s.

8. G a r ni s h w i t h g r ate d nut m e g a n d c i nn a m o n.

9. G a r ni s h a n d e nj oy !

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 1 9

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 Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 2 0

Peruvian Culinary Treasures: 25 Traditional Recipes from the Soul of Peru

by Luis Quispe (Pub li s h e r ’s Rev i ew) E x p l o r e t h e d e pt h of Pe r u v i a n c ult ur e, f r o m t h e b ust li n g m a r ket s of Li m a to t h e m a j e st i c A n d e s, a ll t h r o u g h t h e t a nt a lizi n g t aste s of i t s c ui s i n e. “ PERUVI A N C ULIN A RY T RE ASURES ” i s yo ur g ateway to ex p e r i e n c i n g t h e aut h e nt i c a n d v i b r a nt r e c i p e s of Pe r u.

W h at Yo u’ll D i s c ove r : A p p et ize r s t h at t a nt a lize yo ur s e ns e s, f r o m t h e wo r l d - r e n ow n e d C ev i c h e to t h e s avo r y A nt i c u c h o s.

S o up s a n d stew s b r i m m i n g w i t h t r adi t i o n, i n c lu di n g t h e n o ur i s hi n g Ag u adi to D e Po ll o a n d t h e h e a r t y C au - C au.

M ai n c o ur s e s t h at c a pt ur e t h e s p i r i t of Pe r u v i a n g at h e r i n g s, like t h e i c o ni c Lo m o S a lt ad o a n d t h e c o mf o r t i n g A r r oz c o n Po ll o.

D e s s e r t s t h at e n c h a nt , f r o m t h e swe et d e li c ac y of Pi c a r o n e s to t h e c l as s i c A r r oz c o n Le c h e.

E ac h r e c i p e i s b r o u g ht to li fe w i t h st unni n g, p r ofe s s i o n a l p h oto g r a p hy, e nsur i n g yo u c a n v i su a lize a n d ac hi eve t h e p e r fe c t p r e s e nt at i o n.

W hy C h o o s e T hi s B o o k ? Lui s Q ui s p e, a c h ef t r ai n e d i n Fr a n c e w i t h d e e p Pe r u v i a n r o ot s, of fe r s a uni qu e b l e n d of t r adi t i o n a l f l avo r s a n d m o d e r n c uli n a r y te c hni qu e s.

T hi s c o o k b o o k i s a t r i b ute to hi s h e r i t a g e a n d a g i f t to t h e En g li s h - s p e ak i n g wo r l d, m ak i n g Pe r u v i a n c ui s i n e ac c e s s i b l e a n d e nj oya b l e f o r a ll.

Pe r fe c t f o r t h o s e l o n g i n g f o r a t aste of Pe r u o r c uli n a r y e nt hus i ast s e a g e r to

ex p a n d t h e i r p a l ate, t hi s b o o k i s a n e s s e nt i a l ad di t i o n to yo ur k i tc h e n. I d e a l f o r g i f t i n g o r as a c h e r i s h e d p a r t of yo ur ow n c uli n a r y c o ll e c t i o n.

Em b r ac e t h e di ve r s e a n d r i c h f l avo r s of Pe r u a n d l et t hi s b o o k b e yo ur g ui d e to a wo r l d of unf o r g et t a b l e g ast r o n o m i c ex p e r i e n c e s.

ASIN: B 0 C S 3T TJ B Z Pub li s h e r : I n d e p e n d e nt ly p ub li s h e d (J a nu a r y 11, 2 0 24) L a n g u a g e: En g li s h Pa p e r bac k : 6 8 p a g e s IS B N -13: 979 - 8 875 5 8 979 9 I te m We i g ht : 6 . 4 o un c e s D i m e ns i o ns: 8 . 25 x 0.16 x 8 . 25 i n c h e s

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 2 1

Got Got Rum Rum?? De Dece cemb mber e r 22024 0 2 4 -- 22 22

Your O n e - Stop Shop fo r Ag ed Rum s in Bulk!

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C olumn - D istilled, Pot- D istilled or Blends High C ongener (Inc luding High Ester s), Low C ongener or Blends

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Aged in A mer ic an or Frenc h Oak Bar rels

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Aged in Rye W hiskey, Bour bon, Tequila, A r magnac, Por t, Sher r y and W ine Bar rels

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Single Bar rels and Sec ond Aging / Finish

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w w w.RumCentral.com G Goott RRuum m?? De Decceem mb ber 2024 - 23

Got Got Rum Rum?? Dece December mber 2024 2024 -- 2244

Now O f f er ing Bot t ling S er vic e s!

Q: W hy Bot t l e /Co - Pac k a t Ru m Cent r al?

A : Rum C entral is loc ated within the Texa s Tr i a ngl e, a region in Texas for med by the st ate’s four main metropolit an areas. The Texa s Tr i a ngl e is one of eleven mega regions in the United St ates and is home to approximately 75% of the St ate’s population. This area also benef it s subst antially f rom trade with M exic o, the United St ates’ third largest trade par tner.

A : Rum C entral is 3 0 M iles f rom Austin, with c onvenient ac c es s to inter st ate highways, rail lines, air por ts and seapor t s (within 25 0 miles of 4 of the top 10 U.S. seapor t s), guaranteeing fast and ef f ic ient shipping of your dr y and f inished go ods.

Q: Do you n e e d mo r e info r m a t ion?

A : C ont ac t us via our website below!

w w w.RumCentral.com G ber 2024 - 25 Goott R Ruum m?? De Decceem mb

THE RUM HISTORIAN

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 a n d t h r o u g h H i sto r y I h ave a l ways t r i e d to un d e r st a n d t h e wo r l d, a n d m e n. 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, a lr e ady i n my f i f t i e s 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. I b e g a n to un d e r st a n d s o m et hi n g a b o ut su g a r c a n e, fe r m e nt at i o n, di st i ll at i o n, a g e i n g a n d s o o n.

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 s o o n 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 a ll my p as s i o n a n d 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 2 019 I b e g a n to r un a B l o g: w w w. t h e r um hi sto r i a n.c o m 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 ”.

I a m c ur r e nt ly d o i n g n ew r e s e a r c h o n t h e H i sto r y of Cuba n Rum.

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 2 6

HISTORY O F C U B A N RUM 23. PLE A SURE ISL A ND A f te r a few m o nt h s’ b r e a k , we t a ke u p a g a i n t h e sto r y of C u b a n r u m, i n t h i s a r t i c l e, a n d t h e n ex t , f o c u s i n g o n to u r i s m a n d r u m i n 19 2 0 s C u b a. “ I t i s n ot wo r t h ke e p i n g m o r e - l a m e nte d D o n Le s m e s , w h o, af te r d o i n g t h e b u s i n e s s , a l l owe d h i m s e l f t h e l u x u r y of a ve r b a l b r o a d s i d e - H a r d l y a ny b u s i n e s s c a n b e d o n e. T h e g ove r n m e nt i s c a r ef u l n ot to m a ke a m o c ke r y of t h e st u p i d Ru m Tr e at y w i t h t h e U n i te d S t ate s a n d yo u h ave to t a ke m a ny r i s ks to s m u g g l e.

W i t h a s m u c h m o n ey a s t h i s b u s i n e s s c o u l d g i ve! B u t t h ey d o n ot l et i t p r o s p e r a n d yo u h ave to t a ke a d va nt a g e of i t by d r o p s. T h e f ac t i s , t h e r e i s n o s p i r i t of i n i t i at i ve, m a n.

We c o u l d g et a l ot of a l c o h o l i nto t h e U n i te d S t ate s , b u t t h e g ove r n m e nt wo n’ t l et u s , a n d we h ave to b e c o l l e c t i n g t h e p r of i t s w i t h a s p o n g e. T h i s G ove r n m e nt ! I ’m te l l i n g yo u, t h ey d o n’ t u n d e r st a n d a ny t h i n g. I t wo u l d b e e n o u g h f o r t h e au t h o r i t i e s to u s e t h e i r l ef t h a n d, s o t h at m a ny p e o p l e c o u l d s e e. B ut n o!

T h e g ove r n m e nt d o e s n’ t u n d e r st a n d. L i qu o r m a n u f ac t u r e r s a r e g o i n g b r o ke i n C u b a, a n d m e a nw h i l e, A m e r i c a n s a r e d r i n k i n g wo o d a l c o h o l a n d t h e c r a p t h ey s e n d f r o m N a s s au.

A n d D o n Le s m e s s m i l e d i n a g r i m ac e of di s g u st , w h i c h c o n c r et i ze d h i s di s g u st f o r t h e g ove r n m e nt , t h e wo o d a l c o h o l, t h e f i l t h of N a s s au, t h e A m e r i c a n c o n sum e r s a n d p e r h a p s eve n f o r h i s ow n r um t h at h e wa s g o i n g to s e l l u s a n d t h at , of c o u r s e, wa s n ot t h e s a m e a s h e h a d dr un k w i t h u s” T h u s, w i t h t h e wa i li n g s of t h e c l a n d e st i n e r u m m a ke r, D o n Le s m e s, I f i n i s h e d t h e l ate st a r t i c l e of t h i s s e r i e s (S e e HISTORY O F C U B A N RUM 2 2 . “C O N T R A B A N D O ” i n t h e S e pte m b e r i s su e). We l l, D o n Le s m e s wa s exa g g e r at i n g, t h e C ub a n r um p r o du c e r s we r e n ot r ui n e d by Pr o h i b i t i o n; o n t h e c o nt r a r y, t h a n ks to Pr o h i b i t i o n a n d to to u r i s m t h ey ex p e r i e n c e d a hu g e, l a st i n g su c c e s s.

A s o u r r e a d e r s k n ow, s o m e of my a r t i c l e s s p e a k li t t l e a b o ut r um, b ut a l ot a b o ut t h e h i sto r i c a l c o ntex t . T h i s i s o n e su c h a r t i c l e. O n c e a g a i n, I a p o l o g i ze, b ut af te r c ove r i n g Pr o h i b i t i o n, n ow I m u st d e a l w i t h to u r i s m, ot h e r w i s e i t wo u l d b e i m p o s s i b l e to u n d e r st a n d t h e g r e at c h a n g e s t h at to o k p l ac e i n t h e wo r l d of C ub a n r um i n t h o s e ye a r s. I n d e e d, t h i s a r t i c l e i s d evote d to t h e to u r i st b o o m i n C ub a i n t h e 19 2 0 ’s t h at h a d s o m u c h i m p o r t a n c e i n m a k i n g C ub a n r u m k n ow n a n d a p p r e c i ate d a l l ove r t h e wo r l d. A f a m e w h i c h e n du r e s to d ay.

B ut l et ’s st a r t f r o m t h e ve r y b e g i n n i n g.

M o d e r n to u r i s m st a r te d r o u g h l y a r o un d 175 0 w i t h t h e s o - c a l l e d G r a n d To u r. I n t h o s e ye a r s, i n f ac t , i n G r e at B r i t a i n, b ut a l s o i n Fr a n c e a n d i n ot h e r Eu r o p e a n c o unt r i e s , i t b e c a m e f a s h i o n a b l e a m o n g yo un g p e o p l e of t h e up p e r c l a s s e s to e m b a r k o n a l o n g j o u r n ey to I t a l y at t h e e n d of t h e i r st u di e s. I t wa s a c u l t u r a l f o r m at i o n j o u r n ey to s e e t h e a n c i e nt Ro m a n r u i n s a n d t h e m a ste r p i e c e s of I t a li a n a r t i n p e r s o n, b ut i t wa s a l s o a r i te of p a s s a g e m a r k i n g t h e e n d of a st u d e nt ’s l i fe a n d t h e e nt r a n c e i nto a du l t li fe, w i t h a l l i t s r e s p o n s i b i li t i e s. A s o r t of l u x u r y s a b b at i c a l. M o r e ove r, at t h at t i m e I t a l y wa s a r e l at i ve l y un d e r d eve l o p e d c o unt r y a n d li fe wa s i n ex p e n s i ve, j u st li ke n ow, w h e n to u r i st s f r o m r i c h c o unt r i e s t r ave l to t h e S o u t h of t h e wo r l d. M o st t r ave l l e r s sto p p e d i n Ve n i c e, Fl o r e n c e a n d Ro m e. Few ve nt u r e d f u r t h e r S o ut h, a n d o n l y t h e m o st a d ve nt u r o u s r e ac h e d G r e e c e, w h i c h at t h at t i m e wa s st i l l p a r t of t h e O t to m a n Em p i r e.

To c ate r to t h e n e e d s of t h e s e we a l t hy t r ave l l e r s , h ote l s , r e st au r a nt s , f i n a n c i a l s e r v i c e s , to u r i st g u i d e s etc s p r a n g u p i n I t a l i a n c i t i e s.

Fo r m o r e t h a n a c e nt u r y, to u r i s m r e m a i n e d a l u x u r y f o r t h e r i c h. T h e n, r o u g h l y a r o un d 18 5 0 t h i n g s c h a n g e d. A n En g l i s h p a sto r a n d p h i l a nt h r o p i st , T h o m a s C o o k , i nve nte d t h e o r g a n i s e d t r i p. H e c o nv i n c e d t h e n ew l y f o u n d e d r a i l way c o m p a n i e s to of fe r g r o up di s c o u nt t i c ket s , n o l o n g e r f o r we a l t hy g e nt l e m e n of c o u r s e, b u t f o r m e m b e r s of t h e l owe r c l a s s e s. C o o k o r g a n i s e d t h e f i r st of t h e s e t r i p s , i n 18 41, to t a ke p e o p l e to a te m p e r a n c e m e et i n g! H e st a r te d w i t h t r i p s w i t h i n En g l a n d, t h e n a l s o a b r o a d, to B e l g i u m a n d Fr a n c e f o r t h e E x p o s i t i o n U n i ver s e l l e i n Pa r i s i n 18 5 5 . H e wa s , i n ac t u a l f ac t , t h e i nve nto r of m a s s to u r i s m.

A n d C u b a? A s we k n ow (HISTORY O F C U B A N RUM 3 . T HE K E Y TO T HE INDIES i n t h e S e pte m b e r 2 0 2 2 i s s u e) t h e f a s c i n at i o n t h at C u b a exe r te d o n A m e r i c a n s i s o l d e r t h a n t h e US i t s e l f, b u t t h e f i r st s i g n of a c e r t a i n m ove m e nt of A m e r i c a n to u r i st s to C u b a i s p e r h a p s t h e b e au t i f u l b o o k of S a m u e l H a z a r d “C u b a w i th p en a n d p enc i l ” 1870 (s e e HISTORY O F C U B A N RUM 14 RUM C ONSUM P T ION IN X I X C EN T URY ’ S C U B A i n t h e D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 3 i s s u e). L ate r, af te r t h e Wa r of 18 9 8 a n d t h e A m e r i c a n o c c u p at i o n a l a r g e f l ow of A m e r i c a n s ( j o u r n a l i st s , te c h n i c i a n s , b u s i n e s s m e n, a d ve nt u r e r s a n d to u r i st s) st a r te d to p o u r i nto t h e I s l a n d.

“P l eas u r e I s l a n d: To u r i s m a n d Tem p ta t i o n i n C u b a ” 19 97, by Ro s a l i e S c hwa r t z te l l s t h e sto r y of t h e b i r t h a n d d eve l o p m e nt of to u r i s m i n C u b a. I t i s a s e r i o u s , s c h o l a r l y b o o k eve n t h o u g h, s a d l y, i t d e di c ate s o n l y b r i ef h i nt s to d r i n k i n g. U n l e s s ot h e r w i s e i n di c ate d, a l l t h e q u ote s a r e f r o m t h i s b o o k .

Fr o m t h e e a r l y ye a r s of t h e n ew Re p u b l i c , a va st i nte r e st g r o u p wa s f o r m e d, a l way s c l o s e l y l i n ke d to p o l i t i c s , to p r o m ote A m e r i c a n to u r i s m; we c a n c a l l i t t h e Pl e a s u r e Tr u st . T h e Pl e a s u r e Tr u st wo r ke d o n t wo f u n d a m e nt a l l i n e s: f i r st , t h e p r o m ot i o n of p u b l i c wo r ks , a b s o l u te l y n e c e s s a r y to m o d e r n i ze, s a n i t i ze a n d m a ke H ava n a m o r e b e au t i f u l, a n d t h e n t h e r e st of t h e i s l a n d: s ewe r sy ste m s , a q u e d u c t s , r a i l way l i n e s , r o a d s , c l e a n i n g,

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 2 7

A s we h ave s e e n i n t h e p r ev i o u s a r t i c l e s , l a r g e q u a nt i t i e s of C u b a n r u m we r e s m u g g l e d i nto t h e US , b u t , f o r t h o s e u p p e r- c l a s s d r i n ke r s t h at c o u l d af f o r d i t , t h e r e wa s a n eve n b et te r a l te r n at i ve: n ot wa i t f o r r um a n d t h e ot h e r s p i r i t s to a r r i ve at h o m e, w i t h a l l t h e t r o u b l e s a b o u t q u a l i t y a n d t h e l aw, b ut g o a n d d r i n k t h e m di r e c t l y i n C u b a. T h e i s l a n d i s ve r y c l o s e, i t i s b e au t i f u l, t r o p i c a l, exot i c a n d t h e r u m i s g o o d, p l e nt i f u l a n d c a n b e c o n s um e d l e g a l l y, w i t h o u t a ny p r o b l e m s , j u st l i ke a q u a nt i t y of ot h e r a l c o h o l i c b eve r a g e s l o c a l l y p r o d u c e d o r i m p o r te d. “ By t h e 19 2 0 s a h e a l t hf u l a n d p l e a s u r a b l e c i t y u nf o l d e d b ef o r e t h e to u r i st s’ eye s. El e c t r i c l i g ht s i l l u m i n ate d p a r t s of H ava n a i n t h e eve n i n g s , a n d e l e c t r i c st r e et r a i l way s c a r r i e d t h e c u r i o u s v i s i to r to t h e c i t y ’s s u b u r b s o r to t h e m a r ket s a n d s h o p p i n g st r e et s t h at a p p e a r e d s o f o r e i g n a n d exot i c to t h e N o r t h A m e r i c a n eye s. … Fo r a n i n c r e a s i n g l y m o b i l e a n d r e l at i ve l y p r o s p e r o u s s e g m e nt of N o r t h A m e r i c a n s , C u b a f u l f i l l e d t h e r e q u i r e m e nt s f o r d e s i r a b i l i t y a n d ac c e s s i b i l i t y ; … T hu s , a N o r t h A m e r i c a n t r ave l r evo l u t i o n t r a n s f o r m e d H ava n a i nto a to u r i st m e c c a.”

e m b e l li s h m e nt , etc . At t h e s a m e t i m e, i t p u s h e d f o r t h e a p p r ova l of l aw s a n d r e g u l at i o n s to p r o m ote g a m b li n g a n d r e q u e ste d c o n c e s s i o n s f o r s o m e of i t s m e m b e r s to b ui l d c a s i n o s a n d r ac et r ac ks , n i g htc l u b s a n d s o o n. T h e f i r st p a r t p r o g r e s s e d qui c k l y, c r e at i n g a f avo u r a b l e e nv i r o n m e nt f o r to u r i s m a n d a l s o i m p r ov i n g t h e li ve s of C ub a n c i t i ze n s. T h e s e c o n d, h oweve r, r e m a i n e d st a l l e d f o r m a ny ye a r s: f r i g hte n e d by t h e b i r t h of a n i s l a n d of v i c e to o ac c e s s i b l e to A m e r i c a n c i t i ze n s , st r o n g r e li g i o u s a n d m o r a li z i n g m ove m e nt s i n t h e US p r e s su r e d t h e A m e r i c a n g ove r n m e nt to ‘c o nv i n c e’ t h e C ub a n g ove r n m e nt n ot to a p p r ove t h o s e l aw s. A n d t h ey we r e su c c e s s f u l.

O n l y i n 1919, at l a st , di d a To u r i st b i l l o p e n C u b a to g a m b li n g, w i t h l a r g e i nve st m e nt of l o c a l a n d A m e r i c a n c a p i t a l, a g a i n c l o s e l y li n ke d to p o li t i c a l p owe r. I n t h e s a m e ye a r, a s we k n ow, t h e U. S . C o n g r e s s c l o s e d d ow n t h e s a l o o n s a n d f o r A m e r i c a n to u r i s m i n C u b a i t wa s i n st a nt l y a b o o m.

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 2 8

I n t h e s a m e ye a r s , t h e s u g a r m a r ket c o l l a p s e d. Wo r d Wa r I di s r u pte d Eu r o p e a n s u g a r b e et c u l t i vat i o n w h i l e t h e d e m a n d f o r s u g a r to m a n u f ac t u r e a l c o h o l f o r wa r p u r p o s e s g r ew e n o r m o u s l y, s o t h e p r i c e of s u g a r s k y r o c kete d. T h i s s i t u at i o n g ave C ub a a s u d d e n a n d g i g a nt i c b o n a n z a, t h e c u l t i vat i o n of s u g a r c a n e g r ew e n o r m o u s l y, eve n at t h e ex p e n s e of t h e f o r e st h e r i t a g e, a n d m o n ey, a l ot of m o n ey, c a m e to C u b a i n t h e s o c a l l e d ‘ D a n c e of t h e M i l l i o n s’. B u t t h e n t h e wa r e n d e d, i n a few ye a r s t h e s u g a r m a r ket r et u r n e d to n o r m a l, p r i c e s c o l l a p s e d a n d t h e i s l a n d ex p e r i e n c e d a s e r i o u s e c o n o m i c c r i s i s.

T h e d eve l o p m e nt of to u r i s m a l s o h e l p e d to a l l ev i ate t h e we i g ht of t h e c r i s i s.

M o r e t h a n t h i r t y t h o u s a n d (we a l t hy) to u r i st s v i s i te d C u b a i n t h e w i nte r s e a s o n 19 24 -25 . Fo r c l i m at i c r e a s o n, t h e c o r e of t h e C u b a n to u r i st s e a s o n wa s , i n f ac t , i n w i nte r a n d e s p e c i a l l y f r o m t h e o p e n i n g of h o r s e r ac i n g i n D e c e m b e r to t h e a r r i va l of t h e f i r st h ot we at h e r i n M a r c h.

B u t l et ’s l o o k at a n exa m p l e of t h e k i n d of p r o m ot i o n of A m e r i c a n to u r i s m by t h e Pl e a s u r e Tr u st . T h e n ex t ye a r “ T h r e e h u n d r e d m e m b e r s of t h e B a n ke r s I nve st m e nt A s s o c i at i o n of A m e r i c a at te n d e d t h e r ac e

o n S u n d ay a s t h e g u e st s of t h e n ew m a n a g e m e nt . Fi n a n c i e r s f r o m a l l ove r t h e U n i te d S t ate s we r e v i s i t i n g H ava n a af te r t h e i r a n nu a l m e et i n g i n S a i nt Pete r s b u r g, Fl o r i d a. T h ey s p e nt S at u r d ay n i g ht at t h e f r o n tó n l e a r n i n g t h e i nt r i c ac i e s of j a i a l a i, t h e f a st - p ac e d h a n d b a l l g a m e of B a s q u e o r i g i n.

O n S u n d ay t h ey b et o n h o r s e s, e nj oye d a b u f fet l u n c h at t h e J o c key C l ub, a n d m et va r i o u s we l l - e st a b li s h e d C u b a n s – p e r h a p s i nt r o d u c e d by U. S . A m b a s s a d o r En o c h C r owd e r. T h e b a nke r s s h o u l d h ave b e e n i n a g o o d m o o d, w i t h n o l e g a li st i c of f i c i a l s to c o nf i s c ate t h e i r a l c o h o li c b eve r a g e s. I n c o nt r a st to Pr o h i b i t i o n - dr y Fl o r i d a, C ub a n r u m f l owe d f r e e l y.”

T h e s e m et h o d s a n d t h e un d e n i a b l e c h a r m of C u b a a n d i t s r um h a d a n i m m e di ate s u c c e s s. “ I n f ac t , n e a r l y f o r t y - f i ve t h o u s a n d to u r i st s v i s i te d C ub a j u st i n t h e f o u r w i nte r m o nt h s of D e c e m b e r t h r o u g h M a r c h 19 25 2 6 . W i t h t h e ave r a g e p e r p e r s o n ex p e n di t u r e f i g u r e d at t h r e e hun dr e d d o l l a r s, t h ey l ef t a p p r ox i m ate l y $ 13 . 5 m i l li o n i n C ub a” A c c o r di n g to C o p i l ot , r o u g h l y $ 3 0 0 d o l l a r s i n 19 24 = s o m et h i n g m o r e t h a n $ 5 .0 0 0 to - d ay a n d $13 .m i l li o n i n 19 24 = a r o un d 25 0 m i l l i o n to - d ay. A l a r g e a m o unt of m o n ey i n a s m a l l, r e l at i ve l y un d e r d eve l o p e d c o unt r y.

T h e b a r s a n d c l ub s p u l l e d o ut a l l t h e sto p s to at t r ac t t h e A m e r i c a n c u sto m e r s (a n d n ot o n l y A m e r i c a n s, m a ny m e m b e r s of t h e Eu r o p e a n é l i te s di s c ove r e d C ub a i n t h o s e ye a r s) w i t h n ew c o c k t a i l s a n d n ew at t r ac t i o n s. M ov i e st a r s , s i n g e r s , i nte l l e c t u a l s, m i l li o n a i r e s l e d t h e way, t h e n c r owd s of h o li d ay m a ke r s f l o c ke d to t h e I s l a n d. N ew a i r li n e s, n ew fe r r y c o m p a n i e s we r e b o r n. To p r o m ote Pa n A m e r i c a n A i r ways n ew c o n n e c t i o n to H ava n a, i n 19 28 , eve n C h a r l e s Li n db e r g p a i d a 5 d ays’ v i s i t to H ava n a. T h e b eve r a g e i n d u st r y, t h e e nte r t a i n m e nt i n d u st r y, t h e c l ub s c e n e r e ac h e d a n eve r- b ef o r e s e e n di m e n s i o n a n d q u a li t y. We a l t hy to u r i st s f o un d i n C ub a g o o d a l c o h o l, of c o u r s e, b u t a l s o m u s i c , s h ow s, n i g ht c l ub s, h o r s e r ac i n g, g a m b li n g h o u s e s a n d b r ot h e l s , m a ny b r ot h e l s. T h ey fe l t t h ey we r e a b r o a d, i n a di f fe r e nt a n d f a s c i n at i n g c o unt r y, w i t h g o o d we at h e r, m o r e p e r s o n a l f r e e d o m, t r o p i c a l exot i c i s m a n d c h e a p p r i c e s. B ut , eve n t h o u g h C ub a wa s f o r m a l l y i n d e p e n d e nt , i t wa s af te r a l l a n A m e r i c a n p r ote c to r ate, t h u s yo u c o u l d u su a l l y s p e a k En g li s h, eve r y d ay li fe wa s s afe a n d t h e p o li c e ve r y k i n d.

I n d e e d, A m e r i c a n to u r i st s c o u l d e nj oy a s o r t of ex t r e m e l y c o m f o r t a b l e exot i c i s m a n d f o r t h e m C u b a b e c a m e a ve r i t a b l e Pl e a s u r e I s l a n d.

Fo r C u b a n s , t h i n g s we r e ve r y di f fe r e nt : c o r r u pt i o n a n d v i o l e n c e we r e p a r t of t h e i r d a i l y l i ve s. S o m e h i sto r i a n s a r g u e t h at t h e c o r r u pt i o n l i n ke d to Pr o h i b i t i o n a n d to u r i s m, a n d t h e l o s s of p r e st i g e of t h e C u b a n g ove r n m e nt d u e to i t s s u b m i s s i o n to A m e r i c a n p r e s s u r e s , we r e s i g n i f i c a nt f ac to r s i n d ete r m i n i n g t h e r evo l u t i o n of 19 3 3 , w h i c h l e d to t h e f a l l of M ac h a d o’s di c t ato r s h i p.

A ny way, a m o n g a l l t h e s p i r i t s , r u m wa s t h e o n e w h i c h m o st b e n ef i te d f r o m b ot h Pr o h i b i t i o n a n d to u r i s m: “ By b a n n i n g t h e s a l e of a l l b eve r a g e a l c o h o l i n t h e U n i te d S t ate s , p r o h i b i t i o n i st s di d w h at n o i s l a n d di st i l l e r c o u l d h ave d a r e d h o p e f o r : T h ey p u l l e d we a r y o l d r u m o u t of i t s s h a l l ow g r ave, n ot o n l y i nf u s i n g i t w i t h l i fe, b u t g i v i n g i t a b i t of swa g g e r a n d a to u c h of c l a s s.” ( W. C u r t i s “A n d a B o t t l e o f R u m ” 2 0 0 6).

I n 19 3 3 t h i n g s c h a n g e d a g a i n. Fi r st , t h e G r e at D e p r e s s i o n r e d u c e d t h e n u m b e r of to u r i st s d r a m at i c a l l y ; t h e n C u b a’s r evo l ut i o n of 19 3 3 s ava g e d t h e i s l a n d ’s r e p u t at i o n a s a s afe a n d p e ac ef u l d e s i r a b l e d e st i n at i o n. “ To u r i s m c o l l a p s e d a l o n g w i t h t h e r e st of C u b a’s e c o n o my i n t h e G r e at D e p r e s s i o n.

V i s i to r s h a d s p e nt a l m o st $2 6 m i l l i o n i n 19 28 -2 9 b u t o n l y $ 9. 5 m i l l i o n i n 19 323 3 . … Ec o n o m i c d e p r e s s i o n a n d p o l i t i c a l u p h e ava l h a d t a ke n i t s to l l, a n d to u r i s m r eve n u e s s l i p p e d u n d e r $ 5 m i l l i o n i n 19 3 3 3 4”. Re p e a l a l s o to o k i t s to l l, A m e r i c a n s n o l o n g e r n e e d e d to g o a b r o a d to b e a b l e to d r i n k f r e e l y.

A f te r t h e r evo l u t i o n “ T h e g ove r n m e nt b e c a m e a p a r t n e r i n a r e s u r g e n c e of c u l t u r a l, a s we l l a s e c o n o m i c , to u r i s m. T h u s. t h e s u c c e s s o r of t h e p l e a s u r e t r u st c h o s e n ot to e l i m i n ate to u r i s m b u t to c h a n g e i t s n at u r e, to r e p l ac e c a s i n o s w i t h c u l t u r e, s u b st i t u te m u s e u m s f o r M o nte C a r l o.” A c t u a l l y, by t h e e n d of t h e 19 3 0 s C u b a of fe r e d to u r i st s b ot h c u l t u r e a n d c a s i n o s. To u r i s m p r o m ote r s h a d b a r e l y p u s h e d t h e i n d u st r y b ac k o n t r ac k w h e n Wo r l d Wa r II d e r a i l e d i t o n c e m o r e. We’l l g et b ac k to t h i s.

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A LCO H O L Definition T h e te r m A lc o h o l, r efe r s to a ny of a c l as s of o r g a ni c c o m p o un ds c h a r ac te r ize d by o n e o r m o r e hyd r ox y l (― O H) g r o up s at t ac h e d to a c a r b o n ato m of a n a l k y l g r o up (hydr o c a r b o n c h ai n).

A l c o h o l s m ay b e c o ns i d e r e d as o r g a ni c d e r i vat i ve s of wate r (H 2O) i n w hi c h o n e of t h e hydr o g e n ato m s h as b e e n r e p l ac e d by a n a lk y l g r o up, t y p i c a lly r e p r e s e nte d by R i n o r g a ni c st r u c t ur e s. Fo r exa m p l e, i n et h a n o l (o r et hy l a l c o h o l) t h e a lk y l g r o up i s t h e et hy l g r o up, ― C H 2C H 3 .

c o l o r l e s s li qui ds o r s o li ds at r o o m te m p e r at ur e. A l c o h o l s of l ow m o l e c ul a r we i g ht a r e hi g h ly s o lub l e i n wate r ; w i t h i n c r e as i n g m o l e c ul a r we i g ht , t h ey b e c o m e l e s s s o lub l e i n wate r, a n d t h e i r b o i li n g p o i nt s, va p o ur p r e s sur e s, d e ns i t i e s, a n d v i s c o s i t i e s i n c r e as e.

A n ot h e r way of c l as s i f y i n g a l c o h o l s i s bas e d o n w hi c h c a r b o n ato m i s b o n d e d to t h e hydr ox y l g r o up. I f t hi s c a r b o n i s p r i m a r y (1°, b o n d e d to o n ly o n e ot h e r c a r b o n ato m), t h e c o m p o un d i s a p r i m a r y a l c o h o l. A s e c o n da r y a l c o h o l h as t h e hydr ox y l g r o up o n a s e c o n da r y (2 °) c a r b o n ato m, w hi c h i s b o n d e d to t wo ot h e r c a r b o n ato m s.

S i m i l a r ly, a te r t i a r y a l c o h o l h as t h e hydr ox y l g r o up o n a te r t i a r y (3°) c a r b o n ato m, w hi c h i s b o n d e d to t h r e e ot h e r c a r b o ns. A l c o h o l s a r e r efe r r e d to as a lly li c o r b e nz y li c i f t h e hydr ox y l g r o up i s b o n d e d to a n a lly li c c a r b o n ato m (adj ac e nt to a C = C d o ub l e b o n d) o r a b e nz y li c c a r b o n ato m (n ex t to a b e nze n e r i n g), r e s p e c t i ve ly.

Nomenclature

A l c o h o l s a r e a m o n g t h e m o st c o m m o n o r g a ni c c o m p o un ds. T h ey a r e us e d as swe ete n e r s a n d i n m ak i n g p e r f um e s, a r e va lu a b l e i nte r m e di ate s i n t h e sy nt h e s i s of ot h e r c o m p o un ds, a n d a r e a m o n g t h e m o st a b un da nt ly p r o du c e d o r g a ni c c h e m i c a l s i n i n dust r y. Pe r h a p s t h e t wo b e st- k n ow n a l c o h o l s a r e et h a n o l a n d m et h a n o l (o r m et hy l a l c o h o l). Et h a n o l i s us e d i n to i l et r i e s, p h a r m ac e ut i c a l s, a n d f u e l s, a n d i t i s us e d to ste r i lize h o s p i t a l i nst r um e nt s. It i s, m o r e ove r, t h e a l c o h o l i n a l c o h o li c b eve r a g e s. T h e a n e st h et i c et h e r i s a l s o m ad e f r o m et h a n o l. M et h a n o l i s us e d as a s o l ve nt , as a r aw m ate r i a l f o r t h e m a nu f ac t ur e of f o r m a l d e hyd e a n d s p e c i a l r e s i ns, i n s p e c i a l f u e l s, i n a nt i f r e eze, a n d f o r c l e a ni n g m et a l s.

A s w i t h ot h e r t y p e s of o r g a ni c c o m p o un ds, a l c o h o l s a r e n a m e d by b ot h f o r m a l a n d c o m m o n syste m s.

T h e m o st g e n e r a lly a p p li c a b l e syste m was ad o pte d at a m e et i n g of t h e I nte r n at i o n a l U ni o n of Pur e a n d A p p li e d C h e m i st r y (IU PAC) i n Pa r i s i n 19 57.

Us i n g t h e IU PAC syste m, t h e n a m e f o r a n a l c o h o l us e s t h e - o l su f f i x w i t h t h e n a m e of t h e p a r e nt a lka n e, to g et h e r w i t h a num b e r to g i ve t h e l o c at i o n of t h e hydr ox y l g r o up. T h e r ul e s a r e sum m a r ize d i n a t h r e e - ste p p r o c e dur e:

Cl a s s i f i c a t i o n s

2. N um b e r t h e l o n g e st c a r b o n c h ai n st a r t i n g at t h e e n d n e a r e st t h e ― OH g r o up, a n d us e t h e a p p r o p r i ate num b e r, i f n e c e s s a r y, to i n di c ate t h e p o s i t i o n of t h e ― O H g r o up.

A l c o h o l s m ay b e c l as s i f i e d as p r i m a r y, s e c o n da r y, o r te r t i a r y, ac c o r di n g to w hi c h c a r b o n of t h e a lk y l g r o up i s b o n d e d to t h e hydr ox y l g r o up. M o st a l c o h o l s a r e

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 3 6

1. N a m e t h e l o n g e st c a r b o n c h ai n t h at c o nt ai ns t h e c a r b o n ato m b e a r i n g t h e ― O H g r o up. D r o p t h e f i n a l - e f r o m t h e a lka n e n a m e, a n d ad d t h e su f f i x - o l.

3. N a m e t h e sub st i t u e nt s, a n d g i ve t h e i r num b e r s as f o r a n a lka n e o r a lke n e.

T h e exa m p l e o n t h e r i g ht h as a l o n g e st c h ai n of s i x c a r b o n ato m s, s o t h e r o ot n a m e i s h exa n o l. T h e ― O H g r o up i s o n t h e t hi r d c a r b o n ato m, w hi c h i s i n di c ate d by t h e n a m e 3 - h exa n o l. T h e r e i s a m et hy l g r o up o n c a r b o n 3 a n d a c h l o r i n e ato m o n c a r b o n 2 . T h e c o m p l ete IU PAC n a m e i s 2- c h l o r o - 3 - m ethy l - 3 - h exa n o l. T h e p r ef i x c yc l o - i s us e d f o r a l c o h o l s w i t h c yc li c a lk y l g r o up s. T h e hydr ox y l g r o up i s as sum e d to b e o n c a r b o n 1, a n d t h e r i n g i s num b e r e d i n t h e di r e c t i o n to g i ve t h e l owe st p o s s i b l e num b e r s to t h e ot h e r sub st i t u e nt s, a s i n, f o r exa m p l e, 2, 2- di m et hy l c yc l o p e nt a n o l.

Common Names T h e c o m m o n n a m e of a n a l c o h o l c o m b i n e s t h e n a m e of t h e a lk y l g r o up w i t h t h e wo r d a l c o h o l. I f t h e a lk y l g r o up i s c o m p l ex , t h e c o m m o n n a m e b e c o m e s aw k wa r d a n d t h e IU PAC n a m e s h o ul d b e us e d. C o m m o n n a m e s of te n i n c o r p o r ate o b s o l ete te r m s i n t h e n a m i n g of t h e a lk y l g r o up; f o r exa m p l e, a my l i s f r e qu e nt ly us e d i nste ad of p e nt y l f o r a f i ve - c a r b o n c h ai n.

Phys i c a l Pr o p e r t i e s M o st of t h e c o m m o n a l c o h o l s a r e c o l o r l e s s li qui ds at r o o m te m p e r at ur e. M et hy l a l c o h o l, et hy l a l c o h o l, a n d i s o p r o py l a l c o h o l a r e f r e e - f l ow i n g li qui ds w i t h f r ui t y a r o m as. T h e hi g h e r a l c o h o l s — t h o s e c o nt ai ni n g 4 to 10 c a r b o n ato m s — a r e s o m ew h at v i s c o us, o r o i ly, a n d t h ey h ave h e av i e r f r ui t y o d o r s. S o m e of t h e hi g h ly b r a n c h e d a l c o h o l s a n d m a ny a l c o h o l s c o nt ai ni n g m o r e t h a n 12 c a r b o n ato m s a r e s o li ds at r o o m te m p e r at ur e.

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 3 7

T he A m a z i n g

WO R L D of

A LCO H O L Featured Alcohol:

Dodecanol A l d e hyd e f o r m e d: D o d e c a n a l / l aur a l d e hyd e C a r b ox y l i c a c i d f o r m e d: D o d e c a n o i c Ac i d / L aur i c Ac i d E s t e r f o r m e d w h e n r e a c t i n g w i t h i t s e l f: D o d e c y l D o d e c a n o ate / L aur y l L aur ate D o d e c a n o i c ac i d d o d e c y l e ste r D o d e c a n o l, o r l aur y l a l c o h o l, i s a n o r g a ni c c o m p o un d c o m m o n ly p r o du c e d f r o m p a lm ke r n e l o i l o r c o c o nut o i l. It i s a fa t t y a lc o h o l (a p r i m a r y a l c o h o l w i t h o n e o r m o r e hydr ox y l g r o up s at t ac h e d). S ul f ate e ste r s of l aur y l a l c o h o l (e s p e c i a lly s o di um l aur y l sul f ate) a r e ve r y w i d e ly us e d as sur f ac t a nt s, w hi c h a r e us e d i n lub r i c at i n g o i l s a n d p h a r m ac e ut i c a l s. S o di um l aur y l sul f ate a n d t h e r e l ate d d o d e c a n o l d e r i vat i ve s a m m o ni um l aur y l sul f ate a n d s o di um l aur et h sul f ate a r e a ll us e d i n s h a m p o o s. D o d e c a n o l i s t aste l e s s, c o l o r l e s s, a n d h as a f l o r a l o d o r.

D o d e c a n o l i s us e d as a n e m o lli e nt .

I t i s a l s o t h e p r e c ur s o r to d o d e c a n a l, a n i m p o r t a nt f r a g r a n c e, a n d 1- b r o m o d o d e c a n e, a n a lk y l at i n g a g e nt f o r i m p r ov i n g t h e li p o p hi li c i t y of o r g a ni c m o l e c ul e s. D o d e c a n o l i s m o st ly i ns o lub l e i n wate r.

D o d e c a n a l, a l s o k n ow n as l aur a l d e hyd e o r d o d e c y l a l d e hyd e, i s a n o r g a ni c

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 3 8

Dodecanol

Dodecanoic Acid

c o m p o un d w i t h t h e c h e m i c a l f o r mul a C H 3 (C H 2)10 C HO. T hi s c o l o r l e s s a l d e hyd e f r o m D o d e c a n o l i s a c o m p o n e nt of m a ny f r a g r a n c e s. I t o c c ur s n at ur a lly i n c i t r us o i l s, b ut c o m m e r c i a l s a m p l e s a r e usu a lly p r o du c e d f r o m d o d e c a n o l by d e hydr o g e n at i o n.

L aur i c ac i d, syste m at i c a lly d o d e c a n o i c ac i d, i s a s at ur ate d f at t y ac i d w i t h a 12- c a r b o n ato m c h ai n, t hus h av i n g m a ny p r o p e r t i e s of m e di um - c h ai n f at t y ac i ds.

I t i s a b r i g ht w hi te, p owd e r y s o li d w i t h a f ai nt o d o r of bay o i l o r s o a p. T h e s a lt s a n d e ste r s of l aur i c ac i d a r e k n ow n as l aur ate s.

Tox i c i t y D o d e c a n o l c a n i r r i t ate t h e sk i n. I t h as a b o ut h a l f t h e tox i c i t y of et h a n o l, b ut i t i s ve r y h a r mf ul to m a r i n e o r g a ni s m s.

Aroma •

D o d e c a n o l i s of te n d e s c r i b e d as h av i n g a wa x y o r s o a py s m e ll.

•

N o n a n a l i s of te n c h a r ac te r ize d as h av i n g a f l o r a l s c e nt t y p i c a l of c l e a n l aun dr y.

•

D o d e c a n o i c Ac i d i s of te n d e s c r i b e d as h av i n g a c o m p l ex a r o m a. I t i s di st i n c t ly c h e e sy, w i t h s o m e as p e c t of t h e g o at y c h a r ac te r of o c t a n o i c ac i d.

•

D o d e c y l D o d e c a n o ate’s a r o m a i s d e s c r i b e d as wa x y, c r e a my, s o a py, t y p i c a lly as s o c i ate d w i t h t h e s m e ll of s k i n a n d h ai r c a r e p r o du c t s.

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 3 9

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 4 0

RUM IN

December

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 4 1

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 4 2

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 4 3

Rum in the news

by M ike Kun et ka

BRISTOL S P IRITS

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 Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 4 4

B r i s t o l S p i r i t s Lt d , t h e h o m e o f B r i s t o l C l a s s i c R u m , i s delighted to announce a brand-new par tnership with US D i s t r i b u t o r, S p a g h e t t i We s t e r n I m p o r t s LLC . B r i s t o l Spirits is a long- established, eminent suppliers and p r o m o t e r s o f f i n e R u m f r o m a r o u n d t h e w o r l d. Fo u n d e r, John Barrett is renowned and recognized as a highlyex p e r i e n c e d t a s t e r a n d s u p p o r t e r o f Ru m i n i t s m o s t n a t u r a l s t a t e, s p e c i a l i z i n g o f t e n i n t h o s e m a t u r e d and bottled in UK warehousing which of fers unique b e n e f i t s . J o h n s t a t e s , ‘ We s t a r t e d i n t h e m i d - n i n e t i e s with premium Rum due to its high quality; it took about t e n ye a r s f o r t h e i n t e r e s t t o d eve l o p i n t h e c o n s u m e r b u t n o w w e h ave B C R R u m f a n a t i c s a l l ove r t h e G l o b e.’

B r i s t o l ’s m i s s i o n i s t o d i s c ove r a n d d eve l o p i n t e r e s t i n g R u m f o r e n j oy m e n t . D eve l o p e d w i t h c a r e f u l p r o d u c t i o n and long maturation the true quality and style can b e e n j oye d f r o m t h e d i ve r s e a n d m a g n i f i c e n t R u m that BCR select and bottle for the pleasure of Rum d r i n ke r s . S a l e s D i r e c t o r, S i m o n A s key ex p l a i n s ‘ We h ave a b a s i c p r i n c i p l e t o b o t t l e s m a l l b a t c h e s o f R u m , usually just t wo or three casks at most, so releases are continually changing. John has of fered bottles to t h e US m a r ke t i n ye a r s g o n e by, h o w eve r t h e d e m a n d f o r R u m o u t s i d e o f t h e R u m h e av y w e i g h t s h a s g r o w n ex p o n e n t i a l l y, s o B C R n e e d s t o b e b a c k S t a t e s i d e.’

S p a g h e t t i We s t e r n I m p o r t s a r e a b o u t i q u e i m p o r t

b u s i n e s s w i t h a m et i c u l o u s f o c u s o n I n d e p e n d e n t B o t t l e r s o f l o n g h e r i t a g e. Fo u n d e r C h r i s B i t t n e r r e p r e s e n t s a c o m p a ny o f t r a i l b l a ze r s t h a t d o e s n’ t n e c e s s a r i l y f i t t h e m o l d. T h e r e i s m o r e t o R u m t h a n t h e m a i n s t r e a m b i g h i t t e r s w o u l d h ave yo u b e l i eve. S p a g h e t t i We s t e r n a n d B r i s t o l C l a s s i c R u m a r e c o m i n g t o p r ove t h i s t o T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a !

T h e i n i t i a l B r i s t o l C l a s s i c R u m s h i p m e nt t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i n c l u d e d: • Mauritius Cane Juice - A light, bright style Rhum A g r i c o l e, p e r f e c t f o r m i xe r s .

• C a r i b b e a n C o l l e c t i o n - B l e n d o f 3YO r u m s f r o m Tr i n i d a d. Pe r f e c t i nt r o i nt o t h e w o r l d o f R u m • Ve n e z u e l a 12YO - C o l u m n S t i l l f r o m t h e i r m o s t f a m o u s d i s t i l l e r. 10 0 % m a t u r a t i o n a t s o u r c e.

• M a u r i t i u s 2 010 - t h i s i s t h e b a l a n c e o f C a n e J u i c e h av i n g b e e n m a t u r e d i n t h e U K s i n c e 2 011. F i n i s h e d i n Cognac • Jamaica 20 09 DOK - An amazing Hampden. 50% Jamaica, 50% UK maturation.

• Haiti 2004 - Not too much of this about now due to t h e va r i o u s i s s u e s t h e i s l a n d h a s e n d u r e d i n t h e l a s t 15y r s .

• N i c a r a g u a 2 0 0 4 - 18 y r s m a t u r a t i o n i n A m e r i c a n O a k .

• J a m a i c a 19 97 - Fr o m t h e C l a r e n d o n E s t a t e... O ve r 2 decades in wood in the UK. • Po r t M o u r a n t 19 9 0 - J o h n’s f avo r i t e s t i l l. 3 4YO w i t h t h e f i n a l ye a r s i n Po r t . I n c r e d i b l e, a c l a s s i c ‘ P M ’. h t t p s: // w w w. b r i s t o l c l a s s i c r u m .c o m /, w w w. s p a g h e t t i we s t e r n i m p o r t s .c o m BEENLEIGH C e l e b r a t e t h e Ye a r o f t h e S n a ke w i t h B e e n l e i g h !

Their Master Distiller hand blended a selection of o u t s t a n d i n g a g e d r u m p a r c e l s u p t o 8 ye a r s i n b a r r e l , t o ex p r e s s t h e f i e r y p a s s i o n a n d d i l i g e n c e o f t h e Ye a r o f t h e S n a ke. O n l y 3 b a r r e l s w o r t h o f r u m we r e b o t t l e d with a taste prof ile that is unmistakably Beenleigh.

T h i s f e a r l e s s s p i r i t i s u n d e r p i n n e d by t h e g e n e r o u s warmth of Australian sugarcane molasses. Oak m a t u r a t i o n i n ex- b r a n d y va t s a n d ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s .

Rich butter y and spiced wood notes fill out a palate t h a t i s c o m p l ex a n d r o u n d e d, b u t n eve r t a m e. h t t p s: // w w w. b e e n l e i g h r u m .c o m . a u /

B a c a r d i m a t t e r s a n d m a ke s a d i f f e r e n c e t o o u r p e o p l e.

A t B a c a r d i , w e s e e k t o ke e p r a i s i n g t h e b a r a n d a r e continuously pushing to be better and do better as we build a pipeline of talent and a roadmap for future g e n e r a t i o n s o f l e a d e r s .” S c o t t N o r t h c u t t , SV P H u m a n Re s o u r c e s , B a c a r d i L i m i t e d a d d e d “ B a c a r d i m a i n t a i n s g e n d e r e q u i t y i n r e c r u i t m e n t , t u r n ove r, p ay, e n g a g e m e n t a n d s e n s e o f b e l o n g i n g a n d 4 3% o f l e a d e r s h i p p o s i t i o n s a r e h e l d by w o m e n . T h e c o m p a ny i s i n t e n t i o n a l a b o u t h av i n g b a l a n c e d r e p r e s e nt a t i o n a t c o r e d eve l o p m e n t p r o g r a m s w h i c h h e l p p r o p e l t a l e n t t o t h e n ex t l eve l o f their Bacardi careers. It is a member of associations t h a t d eve l o p p r o g r a m m i n g a n d r e s o u r c e s f o r w o m e n i n the industr y and suppor ts community programming that c r e a t e s o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r w o m e n i n t h e w o r k p l a c e, b o t h w i t h i n a n d o u t s i d e t h e s p i r i t s w o r l d. T h i s r e c o g n i t i o n

by Fo r b e s r e f l e c t s o u r c o l l e c t i ve e f f o r t s t o c r e a t e a n e nv i r o n m e n t w h e r e t o p t a l e n t c a n t h r i ve. A s a l e a d e r i n t h e s p i r i t s i n d u s t r y, w e h ave a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o s e t t h e t o n e a n d c r e a t e t h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r eve r yo n e t o s u c c e e d.” P r o d u c e d i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h m a r ke t r e s e a r c h f i r m S t a t i s t a , t h e Fo r b e s r a n k i n g i s b a s e d l a r g e l y o n s u r vey r e s p o n s e s f r o m a p p r ox i m a t e l y 10 0 , 0 0 0 w o m e n w o r k i n g f o r m u l t i n a t i o n a l c o r p o r a t i o n s a c r o s s 37 c o u n t r i e s . T h e Fo r b e s l i s t r e s e a r c h r a t e d c o m p a n i e s a c r o s s a s e r i e s o f g e n d e r- r e l a t e d t o p i c s , w i l l i n g n e s s t o r e c o m m e n d t h e c o m p a ny, w o r k p l a c e s a t i s f a c t i o n , a n d m o r e. I t a l s o c o n s i d e r s p u b l i c o p i n i o n t h r o u g h a w o m e n o n l y s u r vey a n d l o o k s a t t h e m a ke u p o f l e a d e r s h i p.

B a c a r d i w a s r e c e n t l y n a m e d by Fo r b e s a m o n g 2 0 24 Wo r l d ’s B e s t Em p l oye r s , w h e r e i t t o o k t h e # 2 s p o t i n i t s c a t e g o r y, a n d r a n ke d # 18 i n t h e 2 0 24 Wo r l d ’s B e s t Wo r k p l a c e s™ p r e s e n t e d by G r e a t P l a c e To Wo r k ®. h t t p s: // w w w. b a c a r d i l i m i t e d.c o m / EL D ORA D O I n a r e c e n t Fa c e b o o k p o s t , E l D o r a d o a n n o u n c e d a 2 0 - ye a r- O l d D o u b l e M a t u r e d R u m , a b l e n d o f p o t a n d column distilled rums that were f irst aged in American O a k ex- b o u r b o n c a s k s f o r 15 ye a r s t h e n f u r t h e r e d m a t u r e d f o r a n a d d i t i o n a l f i ve ye a r s i n Fr e n c h O a k c a s k s t h a t w e r e p r ev i o u s l y s e a s o n e d w i t h S a u t e r n e s .

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, i t m e n t i o n e d t h a t i t w a s o n l y ava i l a b l e i n G u ya n a . h t t p s: // t h e e l d o r a d o r u m .c o m /

BACAR D I

PLANTERAY

B a c a r d i L i m i t e d c e l e b r a t e d a s i g n i f i c a nt l e a p o n Fo r b e s’ l i s t o f Wo r l d ’s To p C o m p a n i e s f o r Wo m e n 2 0 24. R a n k i n g f o r a t h i r d ye a r i n a r o w o n t h e p r e s t i g i o u s l i s t , t h e 2 0 24 p l a c e m e nt p u t s B a c a r d i a t # 13 2 a n d n e a r l y 2 0 0 p o i nt s a b ove l a s t ye a r, r e f l e c t i n g a n a m b i t i o n o f c o nt i n u e d p r o g r e s s . I t a l s o f e a t u r e s B a c a r d i a s t h e o n l y p u r e s p i r i t s p l aye r o n t h e l i s t t h i s ye a r. Wo m e n i n L e a d e r s h i p i s a m o n g t h e key p i l l a r s o f t h e c o m p a ny ’s B e l o n g i n g p r o g r a m , w h i c h s t r i ve s t o c r e a t e a s p a c e w h e r e eve r yo n e i s t r e a t e d f a i r l y a n d p r ov i d e d e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s . B e l o n g i n g a t B a c a r d i i s a g l o b a l m ove m e n t f o c u s e d o n c r e a t i n g p r o g r a m m i n g , d eve l o p m e nt o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d m o r e i n s u p p o r t o f underrepresented groups, including women, in the s p i r i t s w o r l d. L e i l a S t a n s f i e l d, G l o b a l B e l o n g i n g L e a d a n d H e a d o f G l o b a l Tr ave l Ret a i l f o r B a c a r d i s a i d “ T h e w o r k we d o t o m a i nt a i n a p o s i t i ve w o r k p l a c e a t

A s p a r t o f t h e i r 2 0 24 S i n g l e C a s k r e l e a s e s , P l a n t e r ay exc h a n g e d s o m e o f t h e i r f i n e s t r u m c a s k s w i t h f r i e n d s a t A d r i a t i c o a n d h ave t a ke n h o l d o f s o m e o f t h e i r s .

A s a r e s u l t , t h ey h ave r e l e a s e d P l a n t e r ay B a r b a d o s 2 017 R u m f i n i s h e d i n a n A m a r e t t o c a s k . O ve r t h e ye a r s , P l a n t e r ay ’s p a s s i o n f o r exc e p t i o n a l s p i r i t s h a s l e d t h e m t o v i s i t n u m e r o u s d i s t i l l e r i e s w o r l d w i d e.

T h r o u g h t h e s e e n c o u n t e r s , M a i s o n Fe r r a n d h a s f o r g e d f r i e n d s h i p s w i t h i n c r e d i b l e p r o d u c e r s , w i t h w h o m t h ey s h a r e m u t u a l k n o w l e d g e, ex p e r t i s e, a n d h u n g e r f o r f i n e s p i r i t s . N a t u r a l l y, t h i s l e d t o c a s k exc h a n g e s , g i v i n g b i r t h t o t h e “ B a r r e l S w a p” e d i t i o n s . A d r i a t i c o i s a 10 0 % n a t u r a l A m a r e t t o p r o d u c e d f r o m P u g l i a n almonds and enhanced with a touch of Adriatic Sea s a l t . Fo r t h e P l a n t e r ay t e a m , c h o o s i n g a B a r b a d o s r u m f r o m S t a d e’s We s t I n d i e s R u m D i s t i l l e r y w a s a n o bv i o u s c h o i c e. T h i s n u a n c e d , f r u i t y r u m w i t h d e l i c i o u s

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 4 5

n o t e s o f c o c o n u t a n d va n i l l a p r ove d t o b e t h e i d e a l c a n d i d a t e f o r a n A m a r et t o c a s k f i n i s h . T h e a g e i n g p r o c e s s t o o k a r o u n d s eve n m o nt h s i m p a r t i n g n o t e s o f a l m o n d a n d c h e r r y p i t s , i nt o t h e B a r b a d o s 2 017 Rum, a blend of traditional pot and column stills t w i c e m a t u r e d (t h r e e ye a r s i n t r o p i c a l b o u r b o n c a s k s , t h e n t h r e e ye a r s a n d f i ve m o nt h s i n c o g n a c c a s k s i n o u r C h a r e n t e c e l l a r s). “ Fi n i s h i n g o u r R u m i n a n A m a r et t o c a s k i s a w o r l d f i r s t ! I t p r ov i d e s a b e a u t i f u l s m o o t h n e s s a n d e m p h a s i ze s t h e d e l i c i o u s a r o m a s o f o u r P l a n t e r ay B a r b a d o s 2 017 ” s a i d J o n a s I n d e s t e e g e, G l o b a l R u m P r e s t i g e C o l l e c t i o n B r a n d M a n a g e r. T h i s stor y star ted when the Adriatico team first visited us i n C h a r e n t e s a n d t a s t e d m a ny o f o u r r u m s t o i d e n t i f y t h e i d e a l P l a n t e r ay c a s k f o r m a t u r i n g t h e i r d e l i c a t e a l m o n d l i q u e u r. F i j i q u i c k l y b e c a m e t h e u n a n i m o u s c h o i c e f o r t h e t e r r o i r. S i n c e A d r i a t i c o w a s a l r e a d y a s i p p i n g a m a r et t o, t h e g o a l w a s t o r e a c h a n e w l eve l by o f f e r i n g r e i n f o r c e m e nt a n d n e w c o m p l ex i t y, a s w e l l a s s o m e “ k i c k ”. “ P l a nt e r ay F i j i I s l a n d s b r i n g s a p o we r f u l s i d e t o o u r A d r i a t i c o A m a r et t o, w i t h l e a t h e r a n d s p i c y n o t e s . I t s t r e n g t h e n s t h e l i q u e u r a n d g i ve s i t l o t s o f n o s e a n d b o d y, f o r a f a b u l o u s f i n i s h a n d a rather dif ferent length on the palate compared to the c l a s s i c p r o d u c t ” s a i d T h o m a s B e n oî t , A d r i a t i c o c o f o u n d e r. T h i s u n p r e c e d e nt e d a l l i a n c e b et we e n r u m a n d a m a r et t o h a s p r ove d p a r t i c u l a r l y f r u i t f u l a n d w e just know it is going to inspire new creations in the f u t u r e. h t t p s: //p l a n t e r ay r u m .c o m /

be retrof itted with a kit in about four hours and run on gas. The cost of the kit is a fraction of that of a n EV. S a r g a s s u m , o r s e a w e e d , h a s b e e n i nva d i n g C a r i b b e a n b e a c h e s f o r ove r a d e c a d e. T h e w a r m i n g o c e a n s a n d i n c r e a s e d m a r i n e p o l l u t i o n h ave p r o p e l l e d the weed grow th in the Sargasso Sea, which gets washed up on the pristine beaches in the Caribbean.

Once it reaches land, seaweed begins to rot. While mounds of seaweed and rotting smells are unpleasant f o r t o u r i s t s , t h ey a r e a l s o a h e a l t h r i s k f o r m a r i n e a n i m a l s . Re s o r t s s p e n d m i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s eve r y ye a r t o r e m ove s e a w e e d f r o m t h e b e a c h e s , b u t H e n r y ’s s t a r t u p c o u l d t u r n t h i s a d ve r s i t y i n t o a w i n - w i n s i t u a t i o n , Wa s t e w a t e r f r o m t h e r u m i n d u s t r y i s o p t i m a l f o r p r o d u c i n g B IO - ME T H A NE v i a a n a e r o b i c d i g e s t i o n .

Rum distiller y wastewater is the most practical o p t i o n f o r l a r g e s c a l e a n a e r o b i c d i g e s t i o n i n a w a t e rs c a r c e C a r i b b e a n I s l a n d l i ke B a r b a d o s . O n Tu e s d ay S e p t e m b e r 17, 2 0 24 , t h ey u nve i l e d a p r o t o t y p e o f t h e i r r e n e w a b l e n a t u r a l g a s ( RNG), p r o d u c e d f r o m S a r g a s s u m s e a w e e d , B l a c k b e l l y s h e e p m a n u r e, a n d r u m d i s t i l l e r y w a s t e w a t e r. A t “ Te s t D r i ve Z e r o”, h e l d a t G u i n e a P l a n t a t i o n , S t . J o h n , RNG m a n u f a c t u r e d u s i n g t h e i r p r o p r i e t a r y f o r m u l a , p o w e r e d a g e n e r a t o r, w h i c h i n t u r n c h a r g e d a n e l e c t r i c ve h i c l e. T h e eve n t h i g h l i g h t e d RNG ’s p o t e n t i a l f o r s u s t a i n a b l e transpor tation and electricity generation. A gasoline c a r, u p g r a d e d t o r u n o n RNG , w a s a l s o o n d i s p l ay. h t t p s: //r u m a n d s a r g a s s u m .c o m /

BOTRAN

D ESSERT D IAMON D D ISTILLERY

T h i s ye a r a t B a r C o nve nt B e r l i n ( B C B), B o t r a n a n n o u n c e d t h e i r l a t e s t r e l e a s e, I n f i n i t o. I t i s a b l e n d o f r u m s f r o m e i g h t d i f f e r e nt c a s ks: ex- A m e r i c a n W h i s key, t o a s t e d ex- A m e r i c a n W h i s k y, ex- S h e r r y, ex- Po r t , ex- A m a r o n e, ex- S a u t e r n e s , ex- R i b e r a D e l D u e r o a n d ex- M a r s a l a . M a r i a I n e s d e L e o n , S e n i o r Brand Manager at Guatemalan Spirits, told Spirits B u s i n e s s “ T h i s ye a r a t B C B we a r e l a u n c h i n g o u r f i r s t eve r e d i t i o n o f a b l e n d t h a t i s s o e p i c , n o o t h e r r u m h a s a t t e m p t e d t o b l e n d e i g h t c a s ks i n t h e s a m e e p i c b l e n d , a n d s o we a r e ve r y c o nv i n c e d i t i s g o i n g t o b r i n g u l t r a - g o o d n e w s t o t h e b r a n d, l o t s o f i n t e r e s t t o i t , a n d o u r ve r y o w n s p a c e i n t h e c o l l e c t o r i t e m s .” h t t p s: // b o t r a n r u m .c o m /

D e s e r t D i a m o n d D i s t i l l e r y p r e s e n t s a n ex t r a o r d i n a r y c o r p o r a t e g i f t i n g o p t i o n: a 2 2 5 - l i t e r b a r r e l o f t h e i r award-winning rum, of fering both prestige and a m e m o r a b l e s h a r e d ex p e r i e n c e f o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s .

T h e b a r r e l p r o g r a m , w h i c h y i e l d s a p p r ox i m a t e l y 3 0 0 75 0 m l b o t t l e s , p r ov i d e s c o m p a n i e s w i t h a unique oppor tunity to create lasting impressions at c o r p o r a t e eve n t s , h o l i d ay c e l e b r a t i o n s , o r a s p r e m i u m client appreciation gif ts. Each barrel comes with a p e r s o n a l i z e d p l a q u e a n d c e r t i f i c a t e o f a u t h e n t i c i t y, m a k i n g i t a c o nve r s a t i o n p i e c e t h a t t e l l s a s t o r y o f c r a f t s m a n s h i p a n d exc l u s i v i t y. D e s e r t D i a m o n d D i s t i l l e r y ’s r u m h a s g a r n e r e d m u l t i p l e i n t e r n a t i o n a l a w a r d s f o r i t s exc e p t i o n a l q u a l i t y a n d c o m p l ex f l avo r p r o f i l e. T h e s p i r i t i s c r a f t e d u s i n g t r a d i t i o n a l Caribbean methods combined with modern distillation techniques, resulting in a smooth, sophisticated product that appeals to both connoisseurs and casual e n t h u s i a s t s . I n t e r e s t i n g h i s t o r i c a l c o n t ex t a d d s t o the appeal of rum as a corporate gif t. During the 18 t h c e n t u r y, t h e B r i t i s h R oya l N av y i s s u e d d a i l y r u m r a t i o n s t o s a i l o r s , a p r a c t i c e t h a t c o n t i n u e d u n t i l 1970 .

D u r i n g t h i s e r a , s a i l o r s w o u l d “ p r ove” t h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e i r r u m by m i x i n g i t w i t h g u n p o w d e r - i f i t i g n i t e d , it was considered the “proof ” of proper strength.

The barrel program includes guided tastings and e d u c a t i o n a l s e s s i o n s f o r c o r p o r a t e eve n t s , w h e r e p a r t i c i p a n t s l e a r n a b o u t r u m’s r i c h h i s t o r y a n d p r o p e r tasting techniques. Companies can also arrange exc l u s i ve d i s t i l l e r y t o u r s , o f f e r i n g t e a m - b u i l d i n g oppor tunities while learning about the craf t distillation p r o c e s s . Fo r o r g a n i z a t i o n s s e e k i n g t o m a ke a l a s t i n g i m p r e s s i o n , D e s e r t D i a m o n d D i s t i l l e r y ’s b a r r e l p r o g r a m r e p r e s e nt s a n i n n ova t i ve a p p r o a c h t o

RUM a n d SARGASSUM S e a we e d i s s h o w i n g u p o n C a r i b b e a n b e a c h e s a n d cleaning up costs are in millions of dollars. But this w a s t e c a n b e t u r n e d i nt o p r e c i o u s f u e l s . R u m a n d Sargassum, a star tup in Barbados, is turning rum w a s t e f r o m d i s t i l l e r i e s a n d s e a we e d w a s h e d o f f o n t o the shores to produce bio - compressed natural gas t o f u e l c a r s . R u m a n d S a r g a s s u m w a s f o u n d e d by M e c h a n i c a l En g i n e e r L e g e n a H e n r y a n d h e r d a t a s c i e n t i s t h u s b a n d t o h e l p t h e c o u nt r y c o nt i n u e t o a t t r a c t t o u r i s t s w h i l e a l s o m e et i n g i t s n et ze r o g o a l s .

B a r b a d o s h a s s et a n a m b i t i o u s g o a l t o b e c o m e f o s s i l - f u e l - f r e e by t h e e n d o f t h i s d e c a d e. H o w eve r, H e n r y, a r e s e a r c h e r a n d l e c t u r e r a t t h e U n i ve r s i t y o f We s t I n d i e s ( UWI), b e l i eve s t h i s w i l l h ave a m a s s i ve e c o n o m i c i m p a c t s i n c e e l e c t r i c ve h i c l e s ( EVs) a r e t o o ex p e n s i ve f o r t h e c o u nt r y ’s c o m m o n m a n , b u t ex i s t i n g i n t e r n a l c o m b u s t i o n e n g i n e ve h i c l e s c a n

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 4 6

c o r p o r a t e g i f t i n g t h a t c o m b i n e s l u x u r y, e d u c a t i o n , a n d s h a r e d ex p e r i e n c e i n o n e m e m o r a b l e p a c k a g e. h t t p s: // w w w.d e s e r t d i a m o n d d i s t i l l e r y.c o m /

m o r e p e o p l e, g i v i n g t h e m t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o t a s t e o n e o f t h e b e s t A m e r i c a n r u m s o n t h e m a r ke t r i g h t n o w.” w w w.O x b o w R u m D i s t i l l e r y.c o m

RON D EL BARRILITO

K HU K RI

L a s t m o nt h R o n d e l B a r r i l i t o r e l e a s e d t h e s e c o n d e d i t i o n o f i t s c ovet e d Pe d r o Fe r n á n d e z S e l e c t i o n r u m . S i n c e h e b e g a n c r a f t i n g r u m i n 18 8 9, Pe d r o Fe r n a n d e z h a d a t a l e nt f o r i d e nt i f y i n g t r u l y s p e c i a l r u m s a n d s e t t i n g t h e i r c a s ks a p a r t i n s p e c i a l a r e a o f t h e a g i n g w a r e h o u s e. T h i s w a s a t e c h n i q u e h e l e a r n e d a s a yo u n g m a n i n Fr a n c e w h e r e h e s t u d i e d engineering and the ar t of making fine Cognacs.

T h i s p r a c t i c e w a s f o l l o we d by t h e Fe r n a n d e z f a m i l y f o r g e n e r a t i o n s . T h i s r e l e a s e p ay s h o m a g e t o i t s f o u n d e r w i t h a 2 7- ye a r r u m , m a t u r e d i n o l o r o s o s h e r r y casks. The origins of this batch date back to October 3 , 19 97, w h e n t h e l i q u o r w a s p l a c e d i n a 5 0 0 - l i t e r b a r r e l s i m p l y d u b b e d “15 9 8 ” a t t h e H a c i e n d a S a n t a Ana. That single cask yielded a total of 229 bottles. h t t p s: //r o n d e l b a r r i l i t o.c o m /

K h u k r i R u m , o n e o f N e p a l ’s m o s t i c o n i c b r a n d s , i s n o w launching a new Cask Series premium product to sell i n N e p a l a n d a b r o a d. T h e C a s k S e r i e s S m o ke d F i n i s h K h u k r i R u m i s a l i m i t e d e d i t i o n w i t h o n l y a b o u t 7, 0 0 0 b o t t l e s , m o s t o f i t f o r ex p o r t a n d r e s t t o b e s o l d t o r u m c o n n o i s s e u r s i n N e p a l i t s e l f. E a c h b o t t l e i s n u m b e r e d a n d w i l l m e n t i o n t h e c a s k f r o m w h i c h i t i s d e r i ve d. “ We a r e w o r k i n g o n t a k i n g a c l a s s i c N e p a l i r u m t o a n e w l u x u r y p r e m i u m b r a n d c a t e g o r y, t h e C a s k S e r i e s w i l l o n l y b e p r o d u c e d t h i s ye a r w i t h n e w p r o d u c t r a n g e s i n f u t u r e,” ex p l a i n s S u b a s h L a m i c h h a n e, M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r. N e p a l D i s t i l l e r i e s f i r s t s t a r t e d m a k i n g K h u k r i R u m i n 19 5 9 i n B a l a j u a n d h a s n eve r s t o p p e d. Fe r m e n t e d f r o m m o l a s s e s i n B a r a d i s t r i c t i n t h e Ta r a i a f t e r t h e a n n u a l s u g a r c a n e h a r ve s t , t h e r u m is matured for at least eight months af ter distillation.

The distiller y bottles the classic Khukri X X X, C o r o n a t i o n K h u k r i X X X , K h u k r i W h i t e Ru m a n d K h u k r i Spiced Rum. The packaging for the Cask Series is as s p e c i a l a s t h e p r o c e s s . A s t u r d y p a t t e r n e d b ox t h a t opens up to a black glass bottle with gold lettering, and an indication of which cask the rum is from.

Khukri is famous for is Coronation Rum which comes i n t h e s h a p e o f a c e r e m o n i a l k n i f e. h t t p s: // w w w. k h u k r i r u m .c o m /

OX BO W RUM D ISTILLERY O x b o w R u m D i s t i l l e r y, k n o w n f o r i t s a w a r d - w i n n i n g s m a l l b a t c h e s t a t e r u m s , h a s ex p a n d e d b eyo n d i t s t r a d i t i o n a l r et a i l f o o t p r i nt w i t h t h e l a u n c h o f e - c o m m e r c e. C u s t o m e r s i n ove r 3 0 s t a t e s c a n n o w o r d e r t h e p r e m i u m , a d d i t i ve - f r e e O x b o w E s t a t e R u m a n d Fa l s e R i ve r R u m s o n l i n e t h r o u g h t h e b r a n d ’s s h o p p a g e, p o we r e d by F l av i a r.c o m . “ O u r new e - commerce plat form allows us to share our p a s s i o n f o r O x b o w R u m b eyo n d L o u i s i a n a ,” s a i d Olivia Stewar t, Owner and Operator of Oxbow Rum D i s t i l l e r y. “ We’r e exc i t e d t o b r i n g t h e u n i q u e f l avo r o f L o u i s i a n a’s s u g a r c a n e h a r ve s t t o r u m a f i c i o n a d o s a n d e n t h u s i a s t s a c r o s s t h e c o u nt r y.” O x b o w R u m D i s t i l l e r y ’s p r e m i u m r u m s a r e m a d e f r o m t h e i r o w n c a n e f i e l d s a n d s u g a r m i l l 2 0 m i l e s f r o m t h e d i s t i l l e r y.

U s i n g e i t h e r 10 0 % h i g h - g r a d e s u g a r c a n e m o l a s s e s o r r a w c a n e j u i c e f o r t h e i r r a w i n g r e d i e nt s , e a c h ex p r e s s i o n e m b o d i e s t h e e s s e n c e o f L o u i s i a n a s u g a r c a n e. T h e c o m p a ny o f f e r s t w o p r o d u c t l i n e s: O x b o w E s t a t e R u m (a d d i t i ve - f r e e s u p e r p r e m i u m s i p p i n g r u m) a n d Fa l s e R i ve r ( h a n d c r a f t e d s p i c e d a n d d a r k r u m s).

This announcement comes on the heels of Oxbow R u m D i s t i l l e r y ’s r e c e nt a w a r d w i n s , b r i n g i n g h o m e t w o D o u b l e G o l d M e d a l s a t t h e 2 0 24 S a n Fr a n c i s c o Wo r l d S p i r i t s C o m p et i t i o n (S F WS C) f o r i t s S m a l l Batch White Rum and Rhum Louisiane Cane Juice A g r i c o l e. A n d u l t i m a t e l y, t h e W h i t e Ru m w a s a w a r d e d t h e h i g h e s t p o s s i b l e a c c o l a d e, B e s t o f C l a s s f o r a l l w h i t e r u m s e n t e r e d f r o m a r o u n d t h e w o r l d. T h e S F WS C i s t h e o l d e s t a n d l a r g e s t i nt e r n a t i o n a l s p i r i t s c o m p et i t i o n . E a c h ye a r, t h o u s a n d s o f s p i r i t s a r e e n t e r e d a n d l e s s t h a n 10 % r e c e i ve G o l d o r D o u b l e G o l d h o n o r s . B e s t o f C l a s s f i n a l i s t s we r e vo t e d o n by a p a n e l o f 70 j u d g e s t o b e o n e o f u p t o f i ve B e s t E x p r e s s i o n s i n i t s c a t e g o r y. “ We’r e h o n o r e d t o r e c e i ve s u c h p r e s t i g i o u s a w a r d s , r e c o g n i z i n g t h e h a r d w o r k a n d d e d i c a t i o n o u r t e a m p o u r s i nt o eve r y b o t t l e o f O x b o w R u m ,” c o nt i n u e s S t e w a r t . “ E x p a n d e d distribution means we are able to share our p a s s i o n a t e l y c r a f t e d, C a n e t o G l a s s™ r u m s w i t h eve n

NUSA CA Ñ A N u s a C a ñ a , t h e B a l i r u m b r a n d f o u n d e d by A u s t r a l i a n e nt r e p r e n e u r a n d f o u n d e r M a r c R o d r i g u e s i n 2 016 , h a s o f f i c i a l l y e n t e r e d t h e A u s t r a l i a n m a r ke t a f t e r h av i n g s u c c e s s f u l l y l a u n c h e d i nt o m o r e t h a n 2 0 m a r ke t s g l o b a l l y. I n s p i r e d by B a l i ’s r i c h r u m - m a k i n g h e r i t a g e, N u s a C a ñ a i s a s p i c e d r u m m a d e u s i n g t r a d i t i o n a l I n d o n e s i a n s p i c e s o f n u t m e g , c l ove a n d g i n g e r a l o n g s i d e c h o c o l a t e, p i n e a p p l e a n d c o ff e e. “ B a t av i a A r r a c k , o r I n d o n e s i a n r u m , w a s t h e m o s t p o p u l a r, exo t i c a n d s o u g h t - a f t e r s u g a r c a n e s p i r i t f r o m t h e 17t h t o t h e 19 t h c e n t u r y,” s a i d M a r c R o d r i g u e s .

“Indonesian rum has been produced on the island of J ava s i n c e t h e 17t h c e n t u r y. I t i s m a d e f r o m m o l a s s e s d e r i ve d f r o m J ava n s u g a r c a n e a n d f e r m e n t e d w i t h r e d r i c e, b e f o r e b e i n g d i s t i l l e d i n C h i n e s e - s t y l e c o p p e r p o t s t i l l s a n d a g e d i n I n d o n e s i a n t e a k b a r r e l s .”

S i n c e l a u n c h i n g i n 2 016 , N u s a C a ñ a h a s g r o w n t o b e c o m e t h e n u m b e r- o n e c o c k t a i l r u m i n I n d o n e s i a , along with being the top selling spirit at Bali airpor t, w h e r e ove r 2 0 0 b o t t l e s a r e s o l d t o v i s i t o r s d a i l y. T h e brand has also become one of the top per forming rums in Greece and has subsequently continued t o ex p a n d i t s f o o t p r i n t a c r o s s Eu r o p e a n d t h e US .

According to Rodrigues, Nusa Caña is star ting to d eve l o p m o m e n t u m m o r e q u i c k l y n o w t h a t i t i s a n established brand in its countr y of origin. “Time b u i l d s c r e d i b i l i t y a n d r e s p e c t i n I n d o n e s i a ,” h e s a i d.”

T h e l o n g e r I ’ ve a d h e r e d t o t h e va l u e s o f h u m i l i t y a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n , t h e m o r e r e s p e c t I ’ ve e a r n e d , w h i c h h a s b e e n e s s e nt i a l i n g et t i n g t h i n g s d o n e.” h t t p s: //n u s a c a n a .c o m /

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 4 7

The Sweet Business of Sugar

Got Rum ? De Dece cemb mber er 2 2024 0 2 4 - 4488

Peru

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!

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 4 9

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 5 0

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 5 1

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 5 2

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 5 3

“GO t RUM?” TEAM INTER V IE W

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

T h i s i s s u e i s l ov i n g l y d e d i c ate d to o u r te a m of “ G ot Ru m? ” c o l l a b o r ato r s , to Ru m C e nt r a l ’s O p e r at i o n s a n d B ot t l i n g te a m s , to a l l of o u r s u p p l i e r s a n d, of c o u r s e, our bulk rum and c o n s u l t i n g c l i e nt s!

T h e r u m i n d u st r y i s AWESOME b e c au s e of a l l of yo u! Lu i s a n d I c o u l d n ot h ave m a d e i t t h i s f a r w i t h o u t eve r yo n e’s h e l p. We a r e l o o k i n g f o r wa r d to a n ot h e r ye a r of p e r s o n a l a n d p r ofe s s i o n a l g r ow t h, w h i l e we c o nt i n u e to s e r ve t h e r u m i n d u st r y.

M a r g a r et Aya l a , Pu b l i s h e r

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 5 4

Put t in g to g et h e r a m o nt hly m ag a zin e i s n ot an e asy t ask . T hank f ully fo r us at “ G ot Rum? ”, we have t h e wo r l d ’s b e st c o nt r ibut in g w r ite r s, w h o t ire l e s s ly p r o duc e c o nte nt fo r us, m o nt h af te r m o nt h.

It i s e asy, h oweve r, fo r re ade r s to l o s e t r ac k of t h e p e o p l e b e hin d t h e sto r i e s, s o e ac h D e c e mb e r we re s e r ve spac e fo r o ur c o nt r ibuto r s to share a bit of info r m at i o n ab o ut t h e m s e l ve s, t h e ir ac hi eve m e nt s, g o als an d o bs e r vat i o ns.

H e re i s a qui c k up date f r o m Lui s an d m e: •

“ G ot Rum? ” has b e e n in ex i ste nc e fo r 2 3 ye ar s n ow an d it s gl o bal re ade r ship c o nt inue s to inc re as e ye ar af te r ye ar.

HIS

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AR IG C & RUM

•

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Rum C e nt r a l i s n ow f ul ly o p e r at i o n a l f r o m i t s n ew f ac i li t y i n t h e f a m o u s Texas Tr i a n g l e, f r o m w h e r e we a r e of fe r i n g f aste r t ur n a r o un d t i m e o n b ulk r um o r d e r s.

Rum C e nt r a l ’s b ot t li n g s e r v i c e s we r e l aun c h e d i n 2 0 24, of fe r i n g i n c r e as e d f l ex i b i li t y to o ur b ulk r um c li e nt s. We c a n n ow h a n dl e sup p ly c h ai n l o g i st i c s f o r o ur d o m e st i c a n d i nte r n at i o n a l c li e nt s, f r o m o ur st r ate g i c a l ly l o c ate d wa r e h o u s e s.

W hil e inf lat i o n an d unc e r t aint y has c laim e d m any c r af t di st i ll e r s in t h e US A in 2 0 24, o ur inve st m e nt s in inf r ast r uc tur e an d l o gi st i c s have st re n gt h e n e d o ur p o s it i o n in t h e m ar ket , guar ante e in g l o n g - te r m c o nsi ste nc y an d s c alab i lit y fo r o ur

TR

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RUM

bulk r um c li e nt s.

•

In 2 0 25 we w i ll unve i l T h e Rum U ni ve r s it y ’s new c ampus, w h e re we w i ll of fe r a muc h w i de r an d de e p e r r an g e of r um t r ainin g c o ur s e s. We w i ll als o c o nt inue to b e M o o nshin e U ni ve r s it y ’s r um c ur r i c ulum par t ne r as we ll, of fe r in g pub li c c o ur s e s in Texas an d Ke ntuc k y.

•

A n d last , but n ot l e ast , we are wo r k in g o n new an d exc it in g r ums w it h o ur c li e nt s, st ay tune d!

I w i sh all a ve r y hap py h o li day s e as o n an d h o p e t hat 2 0 25 b r in g s us all eve n m o re g o o d news ab o ut o ur b e l ove d r um in dust r y!

M ar g aret Ayala

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 5 5

TEAM INTER V IE W: PAUL SENFT

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

bas e a n d a l s o b e a n e nj oya b l e s i p p i n g r um.

Q: D o yo u h ave a ny r u m - c e n t r i c t r i p s p l a n n e d f o r n ex t ye a r ?

Q: A n o t h e r ye a r i s c o m i n g t o a n e n d , w h i c h w e r e yo u r f avo r i t e (o r m o r e su r p r i s i n g) r u m r ev i ew s i n 2 02 4 a n d w hy ?

T hi s ye a r was c e r t ai n ly a m i xe d ba g as f a r as r um r ev i ew s we r e c o n c e r n e d, b ut t h e o n e s t h at r e a lly sto o d o ut we r e t h e Wo r t hy Pa r k 10 9, M o unt G ay Est ate S e r i e s Two, O x b ow Est ate Rum - R hum Lo ui s i a n e 2 0 2 2, a n d p e r h a p s t h e b i g g e st was t h e C r o s s f i r e H ur r i c a n e r um b l e n d.

Q: D i s t i l l e r s a n d w h o l e s a l e r s / d i s t r i b u t o r s a r e f a c i n g m a ny c h a l l e n g e s t h i s ye a r d u e t o i n f l a t i o n . W h a t h ave yo u n o t i c e d o n t h e c o n su m e r s i d e?

Ta lk i n g to c o nsum e r s a b o ut t h e r um s t h at e nte r e d t h e m a r ket i n 2 0 24 r eve a l e d qui te a l ot of f at i g u e r e l ate d to hi g h - e n d, ex p e ns i ve r um s, a n d s o m e b uye r s’ r e m o r s e r e l ate d to r um s t h ey p ur c h as e d i n 2 0 2 3 . T h e r e was a g r e at d e a l of di s c us s i o n a b o ut f l avo r f ul mult i - p ur p o s e r um s t h at c a n f un c t i o n we ll as a n af f o r da b l e c o c k t ai l

Got Got Rum Rum?? De Dece cemb mber e r 22024 0 2 4 -- 5566

I f a ll g o e s we ll, I h o p e to r et ur n to C e nt r a l A m e r i c a, w h e r e r um w i ll n ot n e c e s s a r i ly b e t h e f o c us of my t r i p b ut w i ll c e r t ai n ly b e a p a r t of i t g i ve n t h e r i g ht o p p o r t uni t y. I a l s o h o p e to v i s i t s o m e di st i ll e r i e s a n d at te n d s o m e r e g i o n a l a n d n at i o n a l s p i r i t eve nt s.

Q: I s t h e r e a ny t h i n g e l s e t h a t yo u’d l i ke t o s h a r e w i t h o u r r e a d e r s?

I a p p r e c i ate eve r yo n e w h o t ake s t h e t i m e to r e ad my wo r k a n d w h o r e ac h e s o ut to di s c us s r um o r o n e of t h e s p i r i t eve nt s we m ay h ave at te n d e d to g et h e r.

I h ave a l ways b e li eve d t h at t h e s e sub j e c t s a r e b e st s h a r e d ex p e r i e n c e s, a n d i t i s a p l e asur e to c o nn e c t w i t h eve r yo n e. I p a r t i c ul a r ly e nj oy h e lp i n g f o lks p l a n t h e i r r um - r e l ate d t r ave l ex p e r i e n c e s a n d h e a r i n g a b o ut t h e m af te r t h ey r et ur n.

I n 2 0 25, I h o p e a ll of G ot Rum? ’s m a g a zi n e r e ad e r s e nj oy a p r o s p e r o u s n ew ye a r a n d e nj oy t h e i r i m b i b i n g r e s p o ns i b ly.

C h e e r s!

G Goott R Ruum m?? De Decceemb mbeerr 22002244 -- 5577

TEAM INTER V IE W: P HILI P ILI BARA K E

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

w hi c h was to a g e r um i n t h e Pat a g o ni a.

T hi s i s w hy, s i n c e O c to b e r, I ’ve m ove d h e r e w i t h m o st of my b e l o n g i n g s, li v i n g i n t hi s b e aut i f ul p a r t of t h e wo r l d.

Q: L a s t ye a r t h e r e w e r e n ew c i g a r brands that were introduced i n t o Ch i l e , h ave t h ey su c c e e d e d c o m m e r c i a l l y o r i s t h e c i g a r m a r ke t s h ow i n g s i g n s t h a t i t i s s a t u r a t e d?

Q: H ow i s t h e e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n i n Ch i l e , p a r t i c u l a r l y a s i t r e l a t e s to the hospitality industr y? What h ave yo u b e e n d o i n g , s i n c e s e l l i n g yo u r b a r (Re d Fr o g)?

Eve r s i n c e we s o l d a n d te m p o r a r i ly c l o s e d Re d Fr o g i n M ay of t hi s ye a r, we’ve ex p e r i e n c e d t hi n g s t h at o n ly ot h e r e nt r e p r e n e ur s c a n p o s s i b ly k n ow : l o s s of c o nt ac t w i t h c li e nt s a n d f r i e n ds, l o s s of b e l ove d p e r s o nn e l a n d a fe e li n g of st a r t i n g f r o m ze r o a g ai n. A ll t h e s e a r e s i m p l e t hi n g s, b ut t h ey t ake a to ll o n yo ur fe e li n g s.

I h ad a m p l e t i m e to m e di t ate a n d d e c i d e w h at to d o a b o ut i t . A m o n g a ll my o pt i o ns, o n e of fe r ke pt m e c o m i n g bac k to i t , i t r e qui r e d “ t ur ni n g t h e p a g e” a n d st a r t i n g f r o m s c r atc h a g ai n, i t h ad hi g h ex p e c t at i o ns a n d a g o a l t h at was st i ll n ot c l e a r ly d ef i n e d.

I t i nvo l ve d my r e l o c at i o n to t h e e n d of t h e wo r l d, to t h e c i t y of Punt a A r e n as, a to ur i st d e st i n at i o n w i t h a l ot of p ote nt i a l, e s p e c i a lly g i ve n a n i d e a I h ad b e e n di s c us s i n g w i t h Lui s Aya l a,

Rum? Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 558 8

T h e r e a r e b r a n ds c o m i n g a n d g o i n g a ll t h e t i m e, C hi l e i s a n at t r ac t i ve e m e r g i n g m a r ket i n t h at r e g a r d.

A s f a r as r um, t h e c o unt r y i s n ot c o ns o li date d, n ot like 2 0 ye a r s a g o: to day t h e c o nsum e r m a r ket i s s p li t , w i t h l a r g e p e r c e nt a g e of i t b e l o n g i n g to Pi s c o (d o m e st i c a n d Pe r u v i a n) a n d to G i n (m o st ly g l o ba l b r a n ds, b ut a l s o a few d o m e st i c o n e s t h at a r e st a r t i n g to g et t r ac t i o n).

T h e wo r k b e i n g d o n e by di st r i b uto r s, i n c lu di n g t h e i r n ew st r ate g i e s (g o o d a n d bad) r e p r e s e nt t h e n ew st at us qu o f o r t h e b r a n ds. Rum c o nt i nu e s to b e a we ak c ate g o r y, s o m ew h at a ba n d o n e d, w i t h t h e s a m e l e adi n g b r a n ds, r e sult i n g i n r e p et i t i ve n e s s w h e n i t c o m e s to c i g a r p ai r i n g s. To sum m a r ize, c i g a r a n d r um p ai r i n g s c o nt i nu e to r e ly o n a s m a ll g r o up of b r a n ds t h at i s n ot s h ow i n g mu c h g r ow t h.

Q: D o yo u h ave a ny r u m /c i g a r t r ave l p l a n s i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e?

W hi l e g et t i n g to k n ow t hi s a r e a, I v i s i te d s eve r a l g r e e nh o us e s g r ow i n g f r ui t s a n d l o c a l ve g et a b l e s. B e li eve i t o r n ot , yo u c a n st i ll g r ow i nte r e st i n g h a r ve st s i n t hi s p a r t of t h e wo r l d, by t ak i n g ad va nt a g e of t h e day li g ht h o ur s (ve r y l o n g days i n t h e S um m e r).

W hi l e s p e ak i n g w i t h a l o c a l p r o du c e r, I m e nt i o n e d to hi m t h e c r a z y i d e a of g r ow i n g to bac c o h e r e. S i n c e t h ey wo ul d g r ow i ns i d e g r e e nh o us e s, i t

wo ul d o n ly b e f o r l e ave s f o r w r a p p e r s.

A s f a r as sun li g ht h o ur s, i t wo ul d b e g r e at , b ut t h e hi g h hum i di t y p o s e s a p r o b l e m. We w i ll n e e d o p e n a g r i c ult ur e l a n d, w i t h c o nt r o ll e d hum i di t y, w h e r e t h e l e ave s c o ul d b e a g e d f o r 1 to 2 m o nt hs. We c o ul d ac hi eve a uni qu e r e sult , exc e ll e nt f o r t h e i n dust r y, s o I p r o p o s e d h e lp i n g hi m w i t h t hi s p r oj e c t . C a n yo u i m a g i n e i f we su c c e e d? A w r a p p e r f r o m t h e S o ut h e r n e n d of t h e wo r l d, w i t h va lu a b l e c h a r ac te r i st i c s b eyo n d t h e o r i g i n i t s e l f.

Q: I s t h e r e a ny t h i n g e l s e yo u’d l i ke t o s h a r e w i t h yo u r f a n s?

M y d e c i s i o n to r e l o c ate to t hi s p a r t of t h e wo r l d b o i l s d ow n to b e li ev i n g t h at t h e p r oj e c t i s g o o d: st a r t a r e st aur a nt f r o m ze r o a n d, a b ove a ll, to k i c kst a r t s o m et hi n g t h at I h ad di s c us s e d w i t h Lui s a n d M a r g a r et Aya l a m a ny ye a r s a g o, w hi c h i s to b e n ef i t f r o m t h e we at h e r a n d hi sto r i c a l at t r i b ute s of t hi s zo n e, to c r e ate i nt r i g ui n g a n d at t r ac t i ve r um s a g e d i n Pat a g o ni a, a p l ac e m a ny p e o p l e wa nt to v i s i t .

C h e e r s!

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 5 9

TEAM INTER V IE W: MARCO P IERINI

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

f ar as I k n ow, it i s gr ow in g s l ow ly but ste adily w it h new p r o duc e r s ar r i v in g in t h e m ar ket . In It aly s o m e new ly b o r n c r af t di st i ll e r i e s p r o duc e gin, w hi skey, o ur t y p i c al am ar i (bit te r h e r bal li queur s), an d als o r um.

C e r t ainly, t h e Eur o p e an e c o n o my i s g o in g t hr o u gh a di f f i c ult p e r i o d, we have t wo war s at o ur d o o r ste ps an d m aj o r c o mp et it i ve ne s s i s sue s, an d t hi s i s t ak in g it s to ll o n c o nsumpt i o n in g e ne r al. I k n ow t hat s o m e e c o n o mi c s e c to r s, like auto m ot i ve an d lu xur y, are su f fe r in g par t i c ular ly, but it d o e s n ot s e e m to m e t hat , fo r n ow, t h e sp ir it in dust r y i s am o n g t h e m.

Q: H ave yo u n o t i c e d a ny n ew c o n su m e r t r e n d s i n Eu r o p e t h i s ye a r ?

Q: I n t h i s m o n t h’s “ Ru m H i s t o r i a n” yo u su g g e s t t h a t t h i s a n d t h e n ex t ar ticle will wrap up the Histor y of Cu b a n Ru m . I s t h i s c o r r e c t o r w i l l t h e r e b e a d d i t i o n a l a r t i c l e s?

Pr o bab ly I di d n ot ex p lain mys e l f c l e ar ly, w hat I m e ant was t hat t h e D e c e mb e r ar t i c l e an d t h e J anuar y o n e w ill fo c us o n to ur i sm in Cuba dur in g Pr o hib it i o n. I ap o l o gize i f t hat was n ot c l e ar. I wo ul d like to c o nt inue my H i sto r y of Cuban Rum unt i l t h e p re s e nt day. I am n ot sur e w h et h e r I w ill b e ab l e to d o t hat , b e c aus e Cuba i s a ve r y di f f i c ult c o unt r y to day. We’ll s e e, but I c e r t ainly wo ul d l ove to.

Q: I n t h e USA , c r a f t d i s t i l l e r i e s and distributors struggled to su r v i ve t h i s ye a r. H ow i s t h e d i s t i l l e d s p i r i t s i n d u s t r y i n I t a l y, i n p a r t i c u l a r, a n d i n Eu r o p e i n g e n e r a l?

Cr af t di st i llin g i s a r e lat i ve ly n ew t re n d in It aly an d all ove r Eur o p e. A s

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 660 0 Rum?

N o, I have n ot n ot i c e d new c o nsum e r t re n ds. I have to s ay, t h o u gh, t hat my abilit y to o bs e r ve t h e m ar ket has b e e n p o o r fo r s o m e t im e. Fo r p e r s o nal an d f ami ly re as o ns, t r ave lin g has b e e n di f f i c ult fo r m e fo r t h e last few ye ar s, t h e refo re I n o l o n g e r have t hat dire c t k n ow l e dg e t hat o nly par t i c ipat in g in eve nt s an d v i sit in g c it i e s an d c o unt r i e s c an gi ve.

Q: I s t h e r e a ny t h i n g e l s e yo u’d l i ke t o sh a r e w i t h o u r r e a d e r s?

D o in g re s e arc h an d w r it in g ab o ut r um an d sp ir it s gi ve s m e gre at s at i s f ac t i o n, an d I h o p e my ar t i c l e s are ap p re c iate d by o ur re ade r s. A s f ar as I am c o nc e r ne d, de sp ite t h e ab ove - m e nt i o n e d di f f i c ult i e s t hat m ake it di f f i c ult fo r m e to c ar r y o ut f i e l d re s e arc h fo r n ow, I st i ll have m any sto r i e s to te ll an d a gre at d e sir e to te ll t h e m.

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 6 1

TEAM INTER V IE W: MI K E K UNET K A

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

to sh ow t h e ef fe c t s of te r r o ir o n r um.

H e we nt s o f ar as to c re ate his ow n su g arc ane f i e l ds in di f fe re nt par t s of t h e islan d to sh ow h ow we at h e r an d l o c at i o n c an af fe c t t h e r um. Pe r haps s o m e r um c o mpany w it h de e p p o c ket s w ill ke e p t h e dist ill e r y f r o m f ading into r um inf amy.

Q: Fo r t h i s h o l i d ay s e a so n , h ave yo u c h o s e n a “ h o l i d ay c o c k t a i l ” f o r t h e c e l e b r a t i o n s?

Q: A n o t h e r ye a r o f r u m n ew s h a s c o m e a n d g o n e! W h i c h o f t h i s ye a r ’s s t o r i e s s t o o d o u t t o yo u t h e m o s t ?

Fir st , I t hink 2 024 has to b e t he Ye ar of t h e In de p endent B ot t l er. O ur f r i en ds in Eur o p e have al ways enj oye d an ama zing s e l e c t i o n of r um t hat we never s aw h e re in t h e St ate s. N ow, we se e of fer ing s f r o m all over t he wo r l d, f r o m Er i c K aye’s hi sto r i c al H o lm e s C ay Inf init y to D ow n I s lan d ’s Par aguay Rum. Fo r t h o s e of us t hat c an’t af fo r d a 2 0 -year- o l d Fo ur s quare b ot t ling, t here are yo ung e r, mult i - c o unt r y b l ends.

Ed war d H amilto n c o nt inue s to of fe r gre at b ot t l e s at a p r i c e t hat do e sn’t e mpt y an o l d ret ire d p er s o n’s wall et .

Ku d o s to Raising G las se s fo r of fe r ing af fo r dab l e, 375 m l ver si o ns of s o m e of t h e ir r ums.

S e c o n d, I was s addene d to se e w h e re t h e Re ne g ade Rum D ist ill er y was fo r s al e. M ar k Rey ni er sp ent four year s an d a gre at deal of m o ney to re sur re c t r um in G re nada. H e was deter mine d

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 6 2

T his ye ar we had f r i e n ds an d f amily f r o m all ove r t h e c o unt r y j o in us fo r T hanks giv ing. I de c i de d t h e dr ink of c h o i c e wo ul d b e a Rum O l d Fashi o n.

But w hat r um to use? I wante d a r um t hat wo ul d s at isf y w hiskey dr inke r s an d t hat c o ul d h o l d up to t h e swe et ne s s of t h e simp l e sy r up. I wante d t h e e ar t hy f lavo r s of a G uyane se r um, but a l ot of t h e p o pular b r an ds we re to o swe et .

I set t l e d o n D e nize n’s M e rc hant D ar k an d t h e n ad de d s o m e S mit h & Cr o s s fo r a lit t l e f unk. I made f ive di f fe re nt b l e n ds, var y ing t h e p r o p o r t i o ns of e ac h r um, made t h e O l d Fashi o ns an d l et t h e c r owd de c i de w hi c h was b e st . It was a l ot of f un! O h ye ah, an d t h e n we ate tur key. Lot s of tur key.

Q: D o yo u h ave r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f o r m u s t- h ave s t o c k i n g s t u f f e r s f o r r u m l ove r s t h i s ye a r ?

I al ways e nj oy a g o o d r um b o o k. T hi s ye ar I like d Dave B r o o m’s Rum, T h e M anual. Dave B r o o m is an awar d w inning aut h o r w h o has b e e n w r it ing ab o ut sp ir it s fo r ove r 3 5 ye ar s. At 2 2 2 pag e s, Rum T h e M anual d o e s a g o o d j o b of balanc ing t h e histo r y, p r o duc t i o n, var i et y an d e nj oy m e nt of r um. I t hink it wo ul d b e a g o o d gi f t to int r o duc e f r i e n ds to o ur wo n de r f ul wo r l d of r um.

S o m e g o o d f r i ends gave m e a c o py of Fas si o n o la, T he To r r i d Sto r y of C o c k t ails’ m o st Myster i ous Ingre di ent

by G re g o r i o Pantoja and M ar t in Lin ds ay. A lt h ough n ot a r um b o o k p e r s e, it te lls t h e intere st ing sto r y of a c o c k t ail ingre di ent t hat I had o nly se e n in pas sing referenc e s. Lot s of g o o d sto r i e s, inte re st ing histo r y and great p h oto s. T hi s is o ne of t h o se b o o ks w h e re yo u sit by t he f irep lac e, p our a g o o d r um an d o p en t he b o o k to s o m e r an d o m pag e and enj oy.

Q: I s t h e r e a ny t h i n g e l s e yo u’d l i ke t o sh a r e w i t h o u r r e a d e r s?

B e ing at t hat ag e, my w i fe an d I l o st seve r al f amily m e mb e r s an d g o o d f r i e n ds t his ye ar. H o p ef ully, w it h o ut s o un ding to o p re ac hy, I wo ul d su g g e st t hat t hi s H o li day S e as o n yo u make a g o o d dr ink o r p o ur a ni c e r um an d e nj oy it w it h s o m e o ne c l o se to yo u t hat may b e yo u d o n’t se e ve r y of te n. H e c k, may b e eve n yo ur M ot h e r- in - L aw.

Ch e e r s!

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 6 3

CIGAR & RUM PAIRING

by Phi li p I li B a r ake

Got Rum ? Dece mber 2024 - 6 4

Unique Moment

M

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 2024 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).

A s I w r ote a c o up l e of m o nt h s a g o, I ’ve m ove d to a m a g i c a l p l ac e i n t h e d e e p S o ut h, a Re g i o n a l C a p i t a l a l o n g t h e S t r ai t of M a g e ll a n. I a m r efe r r i n g to, of c o ur s e, Punt a A r e n as, a b e aut i f ul p l ac e w i t h ex t r e m e we at h e r s t h at c a n e as i ly g o f r o m wa r m a n d sunny to s n ow o r h o r izo nt a l r ai ns i n l e s s t h a n 24 h o ur s! It i s a b i t unusu a l b ut a l s o f as c i n at i n g. O n c e h e r e, I d e c i d e d t h at t h e f i r st c i g a r I wo ul d s m o ke f o r a p ai r i n g wo ul d b e t h e “ C a b o d e H o r n o s” (S p a ni s h f o r “ C a p e H o r n” ) f r o m Full e r Ci g a r s.

W hi l e I h ave us e d c i g a r s f r o m t hi s b r a n d b ef o r e, my d e c i s i o n to us e t hi s p a r t i c ul a r o n e was bas e d o n p ay i n g h o m a g e to t h e n a m e, g i ve n my c ur r e nt l o c at i o n. T hi s i s a Ro b usto, i t h as a m i l d to m e di um st r e n g t h, i t i s m ad e w i t h to bac c o f r o m t h e D o m i ni c a n Re p ub li c . B e c aus e of t h e i r i nte ns i t y, t h e s e c i g a r s h ave c o m e i n h a n dy i n t h e p ast , to p ai r w i t h “ p l ai n” r um s w i t h t y p i c a l p r of i l e s, su c h as c a r a m e l n ote s a n d m i l d o ak (f r o m ba r r e l s t h at h ave b e e n r e us e d m a ny t i m e s).

Fo r t hi s p ai r i n g I s e l e c te d a B r i sto l C l as s i c Rum, s p e c i f i c a lly t h e Po r t M o r a nt D e m e r a r a Rum, di st i ll e d i n 19 9 9, w hi c h m ake s i t a 15 ye a r o l d G uya n e s e r um, b ot t l e d i n t h e U K . I t h as a ve r y s i m i l a r p r of i l e to t h e r um I wa nt to p r o du c e i n t hi s p a r t of t h e wo r l d, exc e pt t h at I wa nt to a g e i t i n t hi s r e g i o n, we’ll s e e h ow t h at t ur ns o ut !

I t i s n ow t i m e to c ut t h e c i g a r. I r e ac h e d f o r a d o ub l e - g ui ll ot i n e c i g a r c ut te r, s i n c e I wa nt to h ave a b et te r dr aw. B ef o r e li g ht i n g t h e c i g a r, h oweve r, I d e c i d e d to t ake a s i p of t h e Po r t M o r a nt 19 9 9: i t h as a hi g h c o n g e n e r c o nte nt , h e av y a l c o h o l s a n d “ h e ads”. I c a n a lr e ady f o r e s e e t h at t hi s p ai r i n g w i ll b e d o m i n ate d by t h e r um t h r o u g h o ut , b ut l et ’s s e e h ow i t ac t u a lly unf o l ds.

Philip # GRC i g a r Pa i r i n g

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 6 5

Ph oto s c r e di t : @ Ci g a r i li

Got Got Rum Rum?? Dece December mber 2024 2024 -- 6666

Ph oto c r e di t : @ Ci g a r i li I li t up t h e c i g a r w i t h a b ut a n e li g hte r, s i n c e i t was i m p o s s i b l e to us e c e da r st i c ks du e to t h e w i n d. S ur p r i s i n g ly, t h e c i g a r st a r te d w i t h a m e di um i nte ns i t y, w h e r e as i n t h e p ast I h ad a l ways p e r c e i ve d i t as l owe r/ m i l d e r. T hi s c o ul d b e g o o d, to i m p r ove t h e c h a n c e s of a b et te r p ai r i n g w i t h t h e r um, a lt h o u g h I ’m n ot ve r y o pt i m i st i c . T h e dr aw i s exc e ll e nt , t h e c i g a r b ur ns eve n ly a n d t h e as h h as a g o o d c o l o r to o.

A s I s m o ke t h e f i r st t hi r d of t h e c i g a r a n d p ai r w i t h t h e r um, t h e c l as h i s c l e a r a n d my fe a r s h ave m ate r i a lize d: t h e r um ove r p owe r s t h e c i g a r, b e g g i n g f o r a m o r e i nte ns e b l e n d of to bac c o s. Eve n i f I c h a n g e t h e o r d e r b et we e n p u f f i n g t h e c i g a r a n d s i p p i n g t h e r um, i n e i t h e r c as e t h e r um w i ns, b ut t hi s i s st i ll t h e f i r st t hi r d of t h e c i g a r.

A s I a p p r o ac h e d t h e s e c o n d t hi r d, I h ad to r e m ove t h e c i g a r ’s ba n d, s i n c e i t c ove r s t h e m i d dl e of t h e c i g a r a n d i t i s b et te r to t ake i t o ut n ow t h a n to ex p e r i e n c e b ur nt p a p e r f um e s l ate r o n! T h e to bac c o’s i nte ns i t y i s st a r t i n g to c o m e ac r o s s m o r e, b ut t h e r um h as n ot di m i ni s h e d i t s p r e s e n c e, st i ll d o m i n at i n g t h e p ai r i n g w i t h

i t s h e av y a l c o h o l s. I c a n s ay t h at , dur i n g t h e s e c o n d t hi r d, t h e p ai r i n g i s c l o s e r to b e i n g m o r e “ m ai nst r e a m,” b ut my t aste b u ds as k f o r a st r o n g e r c i g a r. I k n ew t hi s c o ul d h a p p e n, b ut I st i ll h ad to t r y i t . O n e s h o ul d n eve r s et t l e w i t h ot h e r p e o p l e’s r ev i ew s o r c o m m e nt s, i t i s a l ways b e st to f o r m o ur ow n o p i ni o ns.

I must s ay t h at , eve n t h o u g h t h e r e sult was a nt i c i p ate d, I st i ll h ad to d o t hi s p ai r i n g, my f i r st o n e i n t hi s n ew l o c at i o n, us i n g a n a pt ly n a m e d c i g a r, i t was s i m p ly e p i c . I w i ll wo r k o n ad di t i o n a l p ai r i n g s, t hi s W i nte r I w i ll eve n o r g a nize a s m o ke r s’ c lub, f o r t h e l o c a l r e s i d e nt s, s o t h at I c a n c o nt i nu e e du c at i n g a n d t r ai ni n g p e o p l e i n t h e wo r l d of to bac c o a n d r um.

I t was d ef i ni te ly a uni qu e ex p e r i e n c e, wo r t h r e p e at i n g. I h o p e t h at eve r yo n e c a n v i s i t t hi s p a r t of t h e wo r l d s o m e day, I ’ll b e h e r e wai t i n g w i t h g o o d c i g a r s a n d r um s!

C h e e r s!

Phi li p I li B a r ake # GRCi g a r Pai r i n g

G o t R u m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 4 - 6 7

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