June2025_Magcloud

Got Rum? J u n e 2025

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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 THE RUM HISTORIAN - The RUM MIXOLOGIST RUM IN THE NEWS - THE RUM LABORATORY THE SWEET BUSINESS OF SUGAR - THE SUGAR MILL

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Contents

June 2025 5 From The Editor 6-9 T h e A n g e l’ s S h a r e - R u m R e v i e w s 10-13 C OO K ING WI T H RUM 14-17 T HE r u m m i x o l o g i s t 18-19 T HE RUM UNIVERSI T Y ® LI B R A R Y 26-29 T h e RUM HIS T ORI A N 30-33 T HE r UM l ab o r at o r y 36-39 RUM IN T HE NEWS 40-57 T HE SWEE T B USINESS O F SUG A R 60-67 T h e s u g a r m i l l : o r i g i n s a n d e v o l u t i o n 68-71 C IG A R a n d RUM PA IRING

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68 G o t R u m ? J u n e 2 0 25 25 - 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 © 2025 by Rum Runner Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

June 2025 Edi tor and P ubl i sher:

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Executi ve Edi tor:

margaret@ gotrum. com

C i gar and Rum:

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

marco@ gotrum.c om

Rum i n the New s:

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C ooki ng w i th Rum:

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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:

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F RON T C OVER : Tropi cal Rum Mi rage INSIDE S P RE A D : Eden C ol ada

F ROM T HE EDI T OR

Getting Old vs. Aging I recently caught myself complaining AGAIN about the aches and pains associated with old age. It became obvious to me that the frequency and duration of my complaints had gradually increased with the passing of time, something that was so gradual that I had grown accustomed to it.

My complaining and whining about the symptoms of age were quite often accompanied by a yearning for how things were in the past: pain-free joints, increased vitality, better sleep, etc.

It was then that I also had an epiphany about how many of us view getting old versus how we should view it. As someone who has made a living aging distilled spirits, I should have seen this from the beginning, but somehow, I didn’t: people getting old are no different than spirits maturing in barrels!

There is an aspect of “freshness” and “single-mindedness” that newly-distilled spirits possess. This is similar to the vitality and seemingly endless energy young people have. But, as these young spirits spend more and more time inside barrels, their impetuous nature starts to yield, the rough edges become softer, their see-through bodies slowly become tainted by tannins and their overall personalities become more complex. As trade professionals and consumers of aged spirits, all these traits are things we look for in casked products. Their absence is a quick indicator that either aging is not present or that calendar years have elapsed, but the maturity is lagging.

Why is it, then, that so many of us struggle to cherish these transformations in ourselves, but want them, even demand them, in our distilled beverages?

There are many possible answers, but the one that I like the most is that, unlike casked spirits, we have agendas, things

we want to do before our time is up. I believe that we reject the reality of growing old because it is a sign that time is simply running out.

Growing old is the same as aging distilled spirits inside barrels: we must transform ourselves, maturing, extracting experiences from our medium, suffering evaporation losses, ending as more enjoyable versions of ourselves. Perhaps this is why Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles!”

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.

Got Rum? June 2025 - 5

T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE

by Paul S e nf t

Rhum Barbanc our t Three Star Four Year Old

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 ? June 2 0 2 5 - 6

R hum Bar banc our t has b e en p ro duc e d by t he G ardere family fo r 16 0 year s at t he dist iller y l o c ate d o n t he out sk ir t s of Po r t Au Pr inc e, H ait i. T he c o mpany har ve st s sugarc ane ar ound t heir p ro p er t y and fer ment f re sh p re s se d sugarc ane juic e to p ro duc e t heir p ro duc t s and dist ill t he li qui d using a c o mbinat i o n of c o pp er p ot st ills o r c o lumn st ills. T his p ro duc t was ag e d fo r four year s in Lim ousin oak and t hen blende d to 4 3% A BV and b ot t le d at t he dist ill er y.

Appearance T he 75 0 ml b row n t inte d b ot t le has s o me c usto m emb o s sing w it h t he numb er 18 62 ab ove t he f ro nt labe l and R hum Bar banc our t emb o s se d ar ound t he b ot to m. A se c ur it y w r ap w it h an easy pull t ab se c ure s t he wo o d c app e d sy nt het ic c o r k to t he b ot t le.

T he r um h o l ds a me dium amb er c o l o r in t he b ot t le and li ghtens si gni f ic ant ly in t he glas s p re sent ing a g o l den st r aw c o l o r. S w ir ling t he li qui d c reate s a t hin band t hat t hic kens and re lease s a single wave of sl ow - m ov ing tear s befo re evap o r at ing.

Nose T he aro ma of t he r um leads w it h a st ro ng vanilla note, fo ll owe d by oak y wo o d spic e s w it h a p o p of b lac k p ep p er.

Pa l a t e T he f ir st sip de liver s a sw ir l of vanilla and alc o ho l c o ndit i o ning t he m out h.

Addit i o nal sips pre sent a l ot of oak t annins, a gr as sy ast r ingency, and a har d p o p of p epp er r i ght befo re a l o ng sm o k y f inish.

O ne of t he t hings I have al ways enj oye d ab out R hum Bar banc our t p ro duc t s is t he way t he aro ma and f lavo r s t r ansp o r t me bac k in t ime to w hen I had t he p leasure of visit ing t he histo r ic M aiso n Fo nde e e st ate.

Unfo r tunate ly, fo r t he f ir st t ime w it h o ne of t heir pro duc t s, t his di d not happ en. I had been to ld t hat t he r um is exc e llent to c o ok w it h and to use as a c o re c o c k t ail ingre di ent , but it c o mpl ete ly lac ks any of t he aro ma and f lavo r mar ker s t hat I at t r ibute to t he R hum Bar banc our t br and and basic ally c oul d b e any minimally ag e d r um p ro duc e d o n H ispani o la. T he p r ic e r ange of t he pro duc t is in line w it h t ho se br ands, but if you want a p ro duc t w it h m o re of t he Bar banc our t si gnature p rof ile I woul d re c o mmend g o ing w it h t he B lanc , 8, o r 15 year o ld pro duc t s instead.

w w w.bar banc our t.c om

Revi ew

Got Rum? June 2025 - 7

T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE

by Paul S e nf t

Tanduay Pilipinas Especia Spiced Rum I have not se en any Tanduay p ro duc t s o n t he she lve s in G e o rgia fo r a w hile and c ame ac ro s s Esp e c ia and de c i de d to revi ew it . T his spic e d r um is made using gr ade A m o las se s f ro m sugarc ane grow n in t he Panay re gi o n of t he Philippine s. T he spic e s t hey use fo r t his r um b lend are sourc e d f ro m t he fo re st s o n t he islands of V is ayas and M indano and inf use d w it h Tanduay G o l d r um. T he r um is b ot t le d at 4 0% A BV. Appearance T he 75 0 ml b ot t le has a met al sc rew c ap w it h t he Tanduay l o g o o n to p of it . T he f r o nt labe l has a gli der snake al o ng t he si de of it w it h g o l d sc r ipt .

T here are alm o st no det ails ab out t he r um o n t he labels ot her t han it s p ro of and t hat it was blende d and b ot t le d in t he Philippine s.

S w ir ling t he li qui d c reate d a r a zo r t hin band around t he glas s t hat sl ow ly t hic kene d b efo re re leasing a single wave of l e gs. T he band and le gs evap o r ate d quic k ly, leaving re si due all over t he glas s.

N o se T he ar o ma leads w it h a st ro ng r ush of c ar am e l, ho neye d alm o nds, c innam o n, o r ange ze st , dr i e d f r uit , ginger, and li ght toaste d oak.

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 8

Pa l a t e T he f ir st sip de liver s a sw ir l of ging er, c innam o n, nut me g, vanilla, and c o c o nut w it h a touc h of h o ney. Addit i o nal sips p re sent nips of dif ferent f r uit s - pineap p le, c her r y, and r aisin, w it h nut t y oak note s c reat ing t he base line.

Rev i ew D ur ing my t ime as a rev i ewer, I have evaluate d quite a few spic e d r ums and was c ur i ous i f Tanduay ’s spi c e d blend woul d b e di f ferent o r like ot her p ro duc t s already o n t he mar ket .

S adly, I found t he spic e p rof ile was not t hat dif ferent; h owever, I found ot her t hings ab out it enj oyab le. I like d t hat t he r um was a hi gher pr o of t han m o st of t he spic e d r ums o n t he she lve s, as it amp lif i e d t he aro ma and t aste of t he spic e s in t he b lend.

T he par t t hat was sur p r ising was t he f r uit note s woven into t he p rof ile, and I enj oye d t ak ing t he t ime to i dent i f y t hem. H owever, w hen I mi xe d t his w it h s o da, t he c ar ame l - dr iven swe et ne s s just over w he lme d my palate, and I was s o r t of let dow n by t he ex p er i enc e.

I usually enj oy spic e d r ums in a r um and c o ke hi ghball, but instead I found I like d t his o ne m o re mi xe d in ging er b e er o r w it h pineapp le juic e c o c k t ails.

O ver all, w hil e t he spic e note s were familiar, t he c o mpany di d manag e to c reate an intere st ing and uni que f lavo r ex p er i enc 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.global.t anduay.c om

So... what are you waiting for ???

For more infor mation, please send an email to: margaret@gotr um.c om

Got Rum? June 2025 - 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?? June June 22002255 -- 10 10

G Goott R Ruum m?? JJuunnee 22002255 -- 11 11

Marmalade Rum Glazed Pork Shoulder Roast I n g r e di e nt s: • • • • • • • •

2 lb s. Po r k S h o ul d e r 2 B ay Le ave s 2 t s p. G r o un d A ll s p i c e ½ t s p. G r o un d Ci nn a m o n 1 T b s p. D i j o n M ust a r d 1 T b s p. O r a n g e J ui c e 1 T b s p. D a r k Rum 1 T b s p. O li ve O i l

• •

2 G a r li c C l ove s, c r us h e d 1 oz. W hi te W i n e V i n e g a r

M a r m a l ad e Rum G l a ze: • • • • •

1 T b s p. O r a n g e J ui c e ¼ t s p. A ll s p i c e ¼ t s p. N ut m e g 3 T b s p. B i t te r O r a n g e M a r m a l ad e 5 oz. D a r k Rum

I nst r u c t i o ns: 1. M ake t h e m a r i n ad e: c o m b i n e bay l e ave s, a ll s p i c e, c i nn a m o n, must a r d, o r a n g e j ui c e, r um, g a r li c , o i l a n d v i n e g a r, b l e n d i nto a p aste.

2. S e as o n p o r k s h o ul d e r w i t h s a lt o n a ll s i d e s. Rub t h e m a r i n ad e i nto t h e m e at eve n ly. C ove r p o r k i n p l ast i c w r a p a n d p ut i n t h e f r i d g e f o r 8 h o ur s (o r p r efe r a b ly ove r ni g ht).

3. Re m ove p o r k f r o m t h e f r i d g e o n e h o ur b ef o r e r o ast i n g.

4. To m ake t h e G l a ze - c o m b i n e o r a n g e j ui c e, a ll s p i c e, nut m e g, m a r m a l ad e, a n d r um.

W hi s k to c o m b i n e.

5. H e at ove n to 3 5 0 ° F. Pl ac e p o r k o n a r o ast i n g t r ay a n d r o ast f o r 5 0 m i nute s.

Re m ove p o r k f r o m ove n a n d, us i n g a b r us h, g l a ze t h e p o r k w i t h h a l f of t h e g l a ze o n a ll s i d e s unt i l ni c e ly c o ate d. Ret ur n to t h e ove n f o r 10 m i nute s. Re m ove p o r k f r o m ove n a n d a p p ly t h e r e m ai ni n g g l a ze. Ret ur n to ove n f o r a n ad di t i o n a l 10 m i nute s.

6. Re m ove p o r k s h o ul d e r f r o m t h e ove n a n d c h e c k t h at t h e m e at i s c o o ke d t h r o u g h b ut st i ll s li g ht ly p i nk i ns i d e (i t w i ll c o nt i nu e to c o o k as i t c o o l s d ow n s o i t ’s i m p o r t a nt n ot to ove r c o o k t h e m e at). A ll ow t h e p o r k to r e st f o r at l e ast 2 0 m i nute s.

7. Tr a ns fe r to a p l at te r a n d c a r ve i nto t hi n s li c e s f o r s e r v i n g.

P h o t o c r e d i t : w w w.f a evo r.c o m

Got Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 12 12

Texas Trash Pie I n g r e di e nt s: •

1 9 - i n c h Fr oze n D e e p D i s h Pi e c r ust

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1 C. C h o c o l ate C hi p s

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1 C. Pr et ze l s, c h o p p e d

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1 C. G r a h a m C r ac ke r C r um b s

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1 C. S h r e d d e d S we ete n e d C o c o nut

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1 C. Pe c a n Pi e c e s

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1 C. S of t C a r a m e l B i t s ( We r t h e r ’s O r i g i n a l S of t C a r a m e l s wo r k g r e at !)

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1 S t i c k (8 T b s p.) U ns a lte d B ut te r, m e lte d

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1 t s p. Va ni ll a E x t r ac t

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3 T b s p. D a r k Rum

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1 (14 oz.) c a n swe ete n e d c o n d e ns e d m i lk

D i r e c t i o ns: 1. Pr e h e at ove n to 3 5 0 ° F. 2. H e at b ut te r i n a m i c r owave - s afe b ow l unt i l c o m p l ete ly m e lte d. C h o p p r et ze l s (a n d g r a h a m c r ac ke r s i n yo u d o n’ t h ave c r um b s) i nto s m a ll p i e c e s.

3. I n a l a r g e b ow l, c o m b i n e c h o c o l ate c hi p s, p r et ze l s, g r a h a m c r ac ke r s, c o c o nut , p e c a ns, c a r a m e l b i t s, b ut te r, va ni ll a ex t r ac t , da r k r um, a n d swe ete n e d c o n d e ns e d m i lk . M ake sur e eve r y t hi n g i s we ll b l e n d e d.

4. Po ur t h e e nt i r e f i lli n g i nto f r oze n p i e c r ust a n d s p r e ad i t f l at i ns i d e t h e c r ust .

B ake i n t h e ove n f o r 4 5 m i nute s o r unt i l t h e p i e i s s et a n d t h e to p i s g o l d e n b r ow n. A ll ow p i e to c o o l f o r 2 0 m i nute s b ef o r e c ut t i n g a n d s e r v i n g.

P h o t o c r e d i t : w w w. 5 b oy s b a ke r.c o m

G Goott R Ruum m?? JJuunnee 22002255 -- 1133

TH E RUM

M i xo l o g i s t A spac e devoted to the exploration of c las sic and new r um c oc k t ails

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 14

What Is Mixology?

M i xo l o g y i s t h e st u dy a n d s k i ll of i nve nt i n g, p r e p a r i n g a n d s e r v i n g c o c k t ai l s a n d ot h e r m i xe d dr i nks. M i xo l o g i st s a r e ex p e r t s i n t hi s f i e l d, b ut m i xo l o g i st s’ k n ow l e d g e g o e s b eyo n d m e m o r izi n g bas i c c o c k t ai l r e c i p e s: i t i n c lu d e s hi sto r i c a l i nf o r m at i o n, bas i c c h e m i st r y b e hi n d f l avo r c o m b i n at i o ns a n d a c a p ac i t y f o r c o m b i ni n g c o m m o n i n g r e di e nt s i n n ew ways.

J o i n us, as we ex p l o r e t h e e s s e nt i a l c o ll e c t i o n of r um c o c k t ai l r e c i p e s t h at eve r y m i xo l o g i st n e e ds to m aste r.

Got Rum? June 2025 - 15

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 16

TH E RUM

M i xo l o g i s t This M onth’s C oc k t ail: Sc or pion Bowl A b o u t T h e S c o r p i o n B ow l T h e S c o r p i o n B ow l i s a f u n t i k i c o c k t a i l d e s i g n e d to b e e n j oye d w i t h g o o d f r i e n d s .

I t ’s a f r u i t y r u m p u n c h t h at ’s c u sto m a r i l y s e r ve d i n a s p e c i a l p u n c h b ow l w h i c h i s a l s o c a l l e d a s c o r p i o n b ow l. I n t h e c e nte r i s a vo l c a n o - s h a p e d r e s e r vo i r w h e r e yo u c a n p o u r ove r p r o of r u m a n d s et i t o n f i r e. O n c e t h e d r i n k i s r e a d y, eve r yo n e g et s t h e i r ow n st r aw a n d e n j oy s t h e p u n c h to g et h e r.

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

1 Cup Ice 1 C u p C u b e d Pi n e a p p l e 1 M a n g o, C u b e d 8 oz. A g e d Ru m 2 oz. B r a n d y 3 oz. O r g e at S y r u p 6 oz. f r e s h l y - s q u e e ze d O r a n g e J u i c e 1 1/ 2 oz. f r e s h l y - s q u e e ze d Le m o n J u i c e 1 1/ 2 oz. 151- p r o of r u m, o pt i o n a l Citrus Slices, for garnish

D i r e c t i o n s: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

A d d t h e i c e, p i n e a p p l e, a n d m a n g o to a b l e n d e r. Pu l s e to c h o p u p t h e m i x .

A d d t h e r u m, b r a n d y, o r g e at sy r u p, o r a n g e j u i c e, a n d l e m o n j u i c e. B l e n d u nt i l s m o ot h.

I n a s c o r p i o n b ow l, p o u r t h e b l e n d e d m i x t u r e ove r l a r g e p i e c e s of i c e.

Fi l l t h e r e s e r vo i r i n t h e m i d d l e of t h e b ow l w i t h 151- p r o of r u m. A d d f r u i t g a r n i s h e s .

U s i n g a l o n g l i g hte r, l i g ht t h e r u m o n f i r e.

Extinguish the flame and add four long st r aw s. S e r ve a n d e n j oy.

Got Rum? June 2025 - 17

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 ? June 2 0 2 5 - 18

The Ultimate Zimbabwean Cookbook 111 Dishes From Zimbabwe To Cook Right Now, by Slavka Bodic ( P u b l i s h e r ’s Rev i ew) E x p l o r e t h e B o l d a n d B e a u t i f u l Fl avo r s o f Z i m b a bwe – N o Tr ave l Re q u i r e d!

S te p i nt o t h e k i tc h e n s o f S o u t h e r n A f r i c a w i t h T h e U l t i m a te Z i m b a bwe a n C o o k b o o k a r i c h a n d h e a r t f e l t c o l l e c t i o n o f a u t h e nt i c r e c i p e s t h at b r i n g t h e e s s e n c e o f Z i m b a bwe a n c o o k i n g s t r a i g ht t o yo u r t a b l e. W h et h e r yo u’r e n ew t o A f r i c a n c u i s i n e o r l o o k i n g t o r e c o n n e c t w i t h b e l ove d f l avo r s , t h i s c o o k b o o k i s yo u r i d e a l g u i d e t o p r e p a r i n g t r a d i t i o n a l Z i m b a bwe a n d i s h e s w i t h c o n f i d e n c e.

I n s i d e, yo u’l l f i n d a c a r ef u l l y c u r a te d s e l e c t i o n o f r e c i p e s f r o m a c r o s s Z i m b a bwe - f r o m eve r yd ay s t a p l e s l i ke s a d z a , c o l l a r d g r e e n s (m u r i w o), a n d b e ef s tew (nya m a) t o f e s t i ve f avo r i te s a n d h i d d e n g e m s t h a t r ef l e c t t h e d e e p c u l t u r a l d i ve r s i t y o f t h i s v i b r a nt n at i o n. W i t h e a sy - t o - f o l l o w i n s t r u c t i o n s a n d i n g r e d i e nt s a c c e s s i b l e i n m o s t s u p e r m a r ket s o r o n l i n e, yo u’l l b e a b l e t o c r e a te a f u l l Z i m b a bwe a n m e n u o r a d d a n exo t i c t w i s t t o yo u r n ex t d i n n e r p a r t y.

W hy T h i s C o o k b o o k S t a n d s O u t : •

A u t h e nt i c Re c i p e s M a d e S i m p l e - L e a r n t o c o o k Z i m b a bwe a n m e a l s w i t h o u t n e e d i n g h e l p f r o m a n a t i ve o r p r i o r ex p e r i e n c e.

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C u l t u r a l C u l i n a r y To u r – D i s c ove r d i s h e s f r o m d i f f e r e nt r e g i o n s o f Z i m b a bwe, r ef l e c t i n g i t s r i c h t r i b a l a n d g e o g r a p h i c d i ve r s i t y.

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Fo r Eve r y O c c a s i o n – W h et h e r i t ’s a we e kd ay d i n n e r, f a m i l y g a t h e r i n g , o r s p e c i a l c e l e b r a t i o n, t h e s e r e c i p e s b r i n g wa r m t h a n d t r a d i t i o n t o yo u r t a b l e.

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I n c l u d e s Po p u l a r Favo r i te s a n d H i d d e n Tr e a s u r e s – Fr o m we l l - k n o w n c l a s s i c s t o r e g i o n a l s p e c i a l t i e s , e a c h r e c i p e te l l s a s t o r y.

Z i m b a bwe a n c u i s i n e i s k n o w n f o r i t s e a r t hy, h e a r t y, a n d f l avo r- p a c ke d d i s h e s - o f te n b u i l t a r o u n d m a i ze, g r e e n s , m e a t s , a n d l e g u m e s , c o m b i n e d i n way s t h a t a r e d e e p l y s a t i s f y i n g a n d n u t r i t i o n a l l y r i c h. T h i s c o o k b o o k i s p e r f e c t f o r f o o d ex p l o r e r s , c u l t u r a l e nt h u s i a s t s , h o m e c h ef s , a n d a nyo n e s e e k i n g t o b r o a d e n t h e i r c u l i n a r y h o r i zo n s w i t h b o l d, soulful meals.

W h et h e r yo u’r e o f Z i m b a bwe a n h e r i t a g e o r s i m p l y l ove ex p l o r i n g t h e w o r l d ’s c u i s i n e s , t h i s b o o k w i l l g i ve yo u eve r y t h i n g yo u n e e d t o e m b r a c e t h e t r a d i t i o n s a n d t a s te s o f Z i m b a bwe — r i g ht f r o m yo u r o w n k i tc h e n.

A SIN: B 0 F 7F WW K R K Accessibility: Learn more P u b l i c at i o n d ate: M ay 2 , 2 0 2 5 L a n g u a g e: En g l i s h Fi l e s i ze: 5 . 3 M B S c r e e n Re a d e r : S u p p o r te d En h a n c e d t y p e s et t i n g: En a b l e d X- R ay : N ot En a b l e d Wo r d W i s e: En a b l e d P r i nt l e n g t h: 2 3 3 p a g e s Pa g e Fl i p: En a b l e d

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2025 Cou r ses We a l s o of fe r c usto m ize d a n d p r i vate t r ai ni n g c l as s e s. Fo r m o r e i nf o r m at i o n, p l e as e c o nt ac t us at : Re g i st r a r @ r umuni ve r s i t y.c o m Fo r s e at i n g avai l a b i li t y at T h e Rum U ni ve r s i t y i n Texas, p l e as e v i s i t : w w w. Rum U ni ve r s i t y.c o m S i g n up n ow to b e n ot i f i e d of up c o m i n g c o ur s e s a n d s e at i n g avai l a b i li t y. C li c k o n t h e b ut to n b e l ow o r c o py/p aste t h e li nk o n yo ur b r ow s e r :

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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.

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HISTORY O F C U B A N RUM 27. REPE A L A f te r t wo i s su e s f o c us e d o n c ur r e nt eve nt s, we n ow r et ur n to t h e H i sto r y of Cuban Rum, r e c o unt in g t h e e n d of Pr o hib it i o n in t h e U ni te d S t ate s an d t h e c o ns e qu e nc e s t hi s m aj o r tur ni n g p o int had o n Cuba. (Fo r n ew r e ad e r s, it c o ul d b e us ef ul to r e ad H ISTO RY O F C U B A N R U M 2 0 .

P R O H I B IT I O N p ub li sh e d in t h e J uly 2 0 24 i s su e) B ef o r e st ar t in g, I wo ul d like to i llust r ate my m et h o d o l o gi c al ap p r o ac h, o r, in ot h e r wo r ds, an asp e c t of h ow I p r e s e nt t h e r e sult of my r e s e ar c h. I n my ar t i c l e s I of te n inc lu d e qu ote s f r o m b o o ks e s s ays w r it te n by ot h e r aut h o r s.

S o m et im e s t h e qu ote s ar e b r i ef, p r e c i s e, ot h e r t im e s t h ey ar e l e n gt hy, an d o c c as i o nally, eve n ve r y l e n gt hy. O f c o ur s e, I al ways p r ov i d e t h e aut h o r ’s nam e, an d t h e t it l e of t h e b o o k f r o m w hi c h I to o k t h e qu ote s. W hy d o I f r e qu e nt ly us e exc e r pt s, inste ad of w r it in g eve r y t hin g mys e l f, i n my ow n wo r ds? B e c aus e I b e li eve t hat r e s e a r c h, in eve r y f i e l d of k n ow l e d g e, i s a c o ll e c t i ve e n d e avo ur, in w hi c h e ac h p e r s o n bui l ds up o n t h e wo r k alr e ady d o n e by ot h e r s. S o, i f s o m e o n e b ef o r e m e has alr e ady w r it te n we ll o n a c e r t ai n to p i c , I s e e n o r e as o n w hy I sh o ul d r e p e at w hat has alr e ady b e e n s ai d in di f fe r e nt , a n d

p o s s i b ly i nfe r i o r, wo r ds. B e s i d e s, I t hink it i s us ef ul to m ake k n ow n to a w i d e r au di e n c e, i n En g li s h, tex t s t hat ar e of te n lit t l e - k n ow n, f o r g ot te n, o r w r i t te n i n ot h e r la n g u a g e s. H av i n g s ai d t hi s, t hi s ar t i c l e r e li e s, to a g r e at ex te nt , o n Li s a Li n d qui st D o r r ’s “A T h o us and T hi r s t y B eac hes ”, p ub li s h e d i n 2 018 . U nl e s s ot h e r w i s e sp e c i f i e d, t h e qu ot at i o ns ar e t ake n f r o m t hi s b o o k . “ By 19 3 0, t h e f ai lur e s of Pr o hi b i t i o n we r e h a r d to m i s s. D e s p i te te n ye ar s of e nfo r c e m e nt , t h e fe d e r al g ove r nm e nt h ad b e e n un a b l e to ste m li qu o r t r af f i c a n d i n d e e d f un d i t s e l f i n t h e m i dst of i n c r e as i n g c o m p l ai nt s ab o ut t h e c o ns e qu e n c e s of e nf o r c i n g t h e Ei g hte e nt h A m e n dm e nt . W h e n t h e W i c ke r s ham C o m m i s s i o n, e st ab li sh e d by Pr e s i d e nt H o ove r to exam i n e t h e p r o b l e m s of l aw e nfo r c e m e nt a n d o b s e r vanc e, b e g an it s h e a r i n g s t h at ye ar, t h e g r ow i n g li st of p r o b l e m s was i n e s c apab l e. T h e fe d e r al g ove r nm e nt had s p e nt m i l li o ns of d o l lar s, a n d yet ‘ i n m a ny c i t i e s l ar g e an d s m all (t h e r e) a r e as m any i f n ot m o r e p l ac e s w h e r e li qu o r i s s o l d.’ O f f i c i al s had b e e n c o r r upte d, c i t ize ns had l o st r e s p e c t fo r t h e l aw, a n d t h e c o ur t s had b e e n ove r w h e lm e d w i t h i n di v i dual s c har g e d w i t h c r i m e s. T h e m e di a had eve n ac c us e d Pr o hi b i t i o n a g e nt s of o ut r i g ht mur d e r in t h e i r ef fo r t s to e nf o r c e t h e nat i o n’s dr y l aw s. Yet li qu o r r e m ai n e d p l e nt i f ul v ir tu a lly t h r o u g h o ut t h e nat i o n. To m a ny o b s e r ve r s, t h e t r af f i c i n li qu o r was s im p ly to o ex te ns i ve, to o p r of i t ab l e, an d to o p e r s i ste nt to eve r b e f ul ly sto p p e d, a n d t h ey n o l o n g e r s aw t h e p o i nt i n t r y i n g.

It was c l e a r t hat Pr o hi b i t i o n had n ot e li mi n ate d a ny of t h e nat i o n’s s o c i al i ll s, in d e e d i t h ad ve r y like ly c r e ate d m o r e p r o b l e m s t h a n i t s o l ve d.”

O n t h e w i d e s p r e ad c o nsum pt i o n of a l c o h o l d e s p i te Pr o hi b i t i o n, an d t h e e as e a n d o r di n a r i n e s s of dr i nk i n g i t , we have a d e li g ht f ul Cuban te st i m o ny. We have d e di c ate d as m any as t hr e e ar t i c l e s to B. D. Wo o n’s f as c i nat i n g b o o k “ W hen I t ’s C o c k ta i l T i m e i n C u ba ” p ub li s h e d i n 19 28 , but i t s e e m s t r uly i n ex haust i b l e. H e r e i s

t h e sto r y of Wo o n’s inte r v i ew w it h Fac un d o B ac ar dì, a d e s c e n dant of t h e f o un d e r a n d v i c e p r e s i d e nt of t h e c o m pany. “ I sn’ t t h e U nite d S t ate s a b i g c o nsum e r ? I as ke d.

A l ot of r um i s smu g g lin g in, h e ag r e e d, b ut eve r y t hin g w it h a B ac ar di lab e l in N ew Yo r k i sn’ t B ac ar di.

T h e last t im e I we nt to N ew Yo r k t wo f r i e n ds to o k m e o ut f o r dinn e r. O n e of t h e m s ai d we wo ul d g o f ir st to a p lac e h e k n ew w hi c h s e r ve d g e nuin e B ac ar di.

We we nt t h e r e an d we r e s e r ve d, but w h e n I t aste d my g las s I sh o o k my h e ad. It wasn’ t r e al B ac ar di.

S o t h e s e c o n d m an s ai d: We ll, I ’ll t ake yo u to t h e swe ll e st p lac e in N ew Yo r k . I ’m a m e m b e r t h e r e an d I k n ow t h ey ’ve g ot t h e r e al st u f f.’

We we nt to t hi s ot h e r p lac e, a ve r y di st in g ui sh e d p s e u d o - c lub, w it h t hi c k c ar p et s o n t h e f l o o r, a m ah o g any bar an d sub du e d at m o sp h e r e. T h e bar te n d e r c e r e m o ni o us ly p o ur e d us t hr e e dr inks of w hat c e r t ainly l o o ke d like a g e nuin e b ot t l e of c ar t a o r o B ac ar di. B ut as s o o n as i t to uc h e d my lip s I k n ew it was f ake d. S adly I sh o o k my h e ad ag ain. I ’m s o r r y, I s ai d, b ut t hi s i sn’ t g e nuin e.

T h e bar te n d e r, insulte d, c all e d t h e m anag e r. T hi s g e nt l e m an was f ur i o us. “ W hat ?, h e c r i e d, yo u m e an to te ll m e t h at i sn’ t r e al B ac ar di? Let m e te ll yo u I ’ve b e e n ke e p in g bar s f o r t hir t y ye ar s an d k n ow t h e r e al st u f f. T hat ’s g e n - u - in e B ac ar di – I ’ve b e e n s e llin g it f o r t we nt y ye ar s”.

I ’m s o r r y, I s ai d, but I ’ve b e e n m ak in g i t l o n g e r t han t hat .”

C l e ar ly, eve n in t h e mi dst of Pr o hib it i o n, i t was n o r m al to g o ar o un d N ew Yo r k ’s c lub s an d dr ink r um.

S l ow ly but ste adi ly sup p o r t f o r Pr o hib i t i o n dimini sh e d am o n g o p ini o n l e ad e r s an d t h e p ub li c at lar g e. T h e Re p e al m ove m e nt al s o at t r ac te d a sub st ant i al num b e r of wo m e n, w h o p r ev i o us ly had b e e n p i lla r s

Got Rum? June 2025 - 27

of t h e Te m p e r anc e M ove m e nt . S t i ll, t h e Re p ub li c ans c o nt i nu e d to d efe n d Pr o hi b i t i o n, w hi l e i n 19 32 D e m o c r at i c c a n di date Fr ank li n D. Ro o s eve lt r an f o r Pr e s i d e nt p r o m i s i n g t h e r e p e al of fe d e r al Pr o hi b i t i o n l aw s. “ T h e W i c ke r s ham C o m m i s s i o n r e l e as e d i t s f i n di n g i n e ar ly 19 31. I t s g e n e r al r e p o r t o pt i m i st i c ally su g g e ste d t hat Pr o hi b i t i o n e nf o r c e m e nt was p o s s ib l e by t r a ns fe r r i n g t h e Pr o hi b i t i o n B ur e au to t h e D e p a r t m e nt of J ust i c e an d c han gin g l e g al p r o c e dur e s to f ac i li t ate t h e f l ow of c as e s t h r o u g h t h e c o ur t s. I t s c o nc lus i o ns we r e l a r g e ly g r e ete d w i t h d e r i s i o n. A p o p ular di t t y sum m e d up t h e nat i o n’s v i ew of t h e W i c ke r s ham C o m m i s s i o n wo r k an d i llu st r ate d t h e s e e m i n g c o nt r adi c t i o ns b et we e n t h e c o m m i s s i o n’s h o p e s f o r ef fe c t i ve Pr o hi b i t i o n an d t h e r e alit y t hat A m e r i c a ns s aw ar o un d eve r y day: Pr o hi b i t i o n is an aw f u l f l o p.

We l i ke i t .

I t c a n’ t s to p wha t i t ’s m eant to s to p.

We l i ke i t .

I t ’s l ef t a tr a i l o f g r af t and s l i m e, I t ’s f i l l e d ou r land wi th v i c e and c r i m e, I t d o n’ t p r o hi b i t wo r th a d i m e.

N ever thel es s we’r e fo r i t .

At t r i b ute d to Fr ank li n P. Adam s, i t a p p e a r e d i n t h e N ew Yo r k Wo r l d in 19 31 a n d s o o n b e c am e par t of t h e et h o s of t h e m ove m e nt towar d Pr o hi b i t i o n’s r e p e al.”

I n t h e e n d, t h e we i g ht of t h e f ac t s p r evai l e d, ai d e d al s o by t h e G r e at D e p r e s s i o n. “ Eve ntu a l ly, t h e p r o b l e m of Pr o hi b it i o n wo ul d b e s o l ve d by r e p e al, f ac i li t ate d by a m as s i ve e c o n o m i c d e p r e s s i o n t hat m ad e t h e n e e d f o r g ove r nm e nt r eve nu e i n e s c a p a b l e, w hi c h t a xe s o n li qu o r c o ul d r e adi ly sup p ly. I n t h e m i dst of t h e G r e at D e p r e s s i o n, t h e m o r al i s su e e m b e d d e d in Pr o hi b i t i o n n o l o n g e r s e e m e d i m p o r t ant .

T h e wa r m c o mf o r t of a l e g al dr i nk s e e m e d to p r o m i s e s o m e suste nanc e to a b e l e a g u e r e d nat i o n. O n e of Fr ank lin

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 28

Ro o s eve lt ’s e ar li e st ac t s as p r e s i d e nt was to l e g alize b e e r c o m m e nt in g, ‘ I t hi nk it ’s t im e t h e c o unt r y di d s o m et hin g a b o ut b e e r ’. By D e c e m b e r 19 3 3 , e n o u g h st ate s had r at i f i e d t h e Twe nt y - Fir st A m e n dm e nt , e n din g nat i o nal Pr o hib it i o n o nc e an d f o r all.” At last ! O n D e c e m b e r 5t h, to b e p r e c i s e.

A n d yet …

Ac c o r din g to W ik ip e di a – w hi c h I wo ul d like to t hank h e r e, f o r it s g r e at an d va l uab l e wo r k – f o ll ow in g t h e Re p e al s o m e st ate s c o nt inu e d Pr o hib it i o n w it hin t h e i r ow n jur i s di c t i o ns. A lm o st t wo - t hir ds of t h e st ate s ad o pte d s o m e f o r m of l o c a l o pt i o n w hi c h e nab l e d r e s i d e nt s in p o li t i c a l te r r ito r i al unit s to vote f o r o r ag ainst l o c al p r o hib it i o n. Fo r a t im e, 3 8 p e r c e nt of A m e r i c ans li ve d in ar e as w it h Pr o hi b i t i o n. By 19 6 6, h oweve r, all st ate s h ad r e p e al e d t h e ir st atew i d e p r o hib it i o n l aw s, w it h M i s s i s s ip p i t h e last st ate to d o s o. A num b e r of sm all e r jur i s di c t i o ns al s o ex i st , suc h as c it i e s, tow ns, an d tow nship s, w hi c h up to n ow p r o hib it t h e s al e of al c o h o li c b eve r ag e s an d ar e k n ow n as dr y c it i e s, dr y tow ns, o r dr y tow nship s. D r y jur i s di c t i o ns c an b e c o nt r aste d w it h “ wet ” (in w hi c h al c o h o l s al e s ar e all owe d a n d r e g ulate d) an d “ m o i st ” in w hi c h s o m e s a l e s of al c o h o l ar e p e r mit te d, o r a dr y c o unt y c o nt ainin g wet c it i e s.

It i s c l e ar eve n f r o m t hi s s c ant inf o r m at i o n – w hi c h I have n’ t ex p l o r e d in d e pt h – t hat Pr o hib it i o n in t h e U nite d S t ate s i s n ot m e r e ly a st r an g e r e li c of t h e di st a nt past but s e e m s to b e d e e p ly in g r ai n e d i n A m e r i c an c ult ur al an d p o lit i c al r e ali t y eve n to day. I n f ac t , unf o r t unate ly, I fe ar t h at i t i s m ak in g a p owe r f ul c o m e bac k , as I t r i e d to ex p lain in my ar t i c l e P R O H I B IT I O N ST R I K ES B AC K in t h e A p r i l 2 0 25 i s su e.

B ut w hat hap p e n e d in Cuba f o ll ow i n g t h e Re p e al?

T h e Re p e al c am e at t h e e n d of a dr a m at i c ye ar f o r Cuba. O ve r t im e, t h e M ac h ad o G ove r nm e nt had b e c o m e inc r e as in g ly di c t ato r i al an d r e p r e s s i ve, p r ovo k i n g a v i o l e nt r e ac t i o n f r o m t h e o p p o s it i o ns.

S t r ike s, d e m o nst r at i o ns, te r r o r i st ac t i o ns,

g unf i g ht s, sum m ar y exe c ut i o ns o c c ur r e d ove r a n d ove r ag ai n, f ar b eyo n d t h e t r adi t i o n a l v i o l e nc e of Cuban p o li t i c a l li fe. “ I n e a r ly Au g u st 19 3 3 Cuba p r e s e nte d a d e s o l ate a n d di s c o nc e r t i n g p i c t ur e; t h e r e we r e s e r i o us st r ike s i n al l s e r v i c e s e c t i o ns of H avana, w i t h t h e r ai l way wo r ke r s o ut fo r t h e f i r st t i m e. N ew s pa p e r s we r e a l s o s hut t i n g d ow n. T h e bar s an d c afé s we r e c l o s e d f o r t h e f i r st t i m e i n hi sto r y. Fo o d was s c ar c e. M o st s h o p s we r e s hut , a n d t h e r e we r e few p e o p l e in t h e st r e et s. Eve r yo n e was as k i n g w h e n t h e A m e r i c a n m ar i n e s wo ul d l an d.” (H .

T h o m as C u ba A H is to r y, 2 0 01). T h e s itu at i o n was c o m p l ete ly di f fe r e nt f r o m t h e o n e d e s c r i b e d by Wo o n j ust a few ye a r s e a r li e r.

I n Au g u st M ac had o f l e d an d s h o r t ly af te r wa r ds a f ull - f l e d g e d r evo lut i o n b r o ke o ut , w hi c h s h o o k t h e i s l an d ’s e c o n o my a n d s o c i et y to i t s r o ot s, but w i t h o ut m a n a g i n g to b r i n g ab o ut a r adi c al c h a n g e. “ T h e p o st- M ac had o l e ad e r s hip c ha n g e d h a n ds r ap i dly f r o m m o d e r ate r efo r mi st i n Au g ust 19 3 3 to m o r e r adi c al r efo r mi st i n S e pte m b e r to aut h o r i t ar i an p o p uli st i n J a nuar y 19 3 4.” (R . S c hwa r t z “Pl eas u r e I s la nd ”, 19 97). A n i nc o m p l ete o r f r u st r ate d r evo lut i o n, f r o m w hi c h e m e r g e d a n ew st r o n g m an w h o wo ul d d o m i nate Cuba n p o li t i c s unt i l 19 5 9, Ful g e nc i o B at i st a.

Pr o hi b i t i o n e n d e d, but i t s ef fe c t s o n Cuba di d n ot . I t i s i m p o r t ant to c l ar i f y t hat t h e ave r a g e Cuban was t r adi t i o nal an d c o ns e r vat i ve r e g ar di n g r e l at i o ns b et we e n t h e s exe s a n d p ub li c b e hav i o ur. W hi l e f o r A m e r i c a n to ur i st s Cuba was a p l ac e of t r ans g r e s s i o n an d f o r b i d d e n p l e asur e s, m o st Cuba ns v i ewe d t hi n g s i n a ve r y di f fe r e nt way. “ W hi l e Cuba’s to ur i s m in du st r y t r ad e d o n Cuba’s r e p ut at i o n fo r t h e exot i c , Cubans t h e m s e l ve s we r e c o ns i d e r a b ly l e s s ‘ w i d e o p e n’ an d w i l d ant i c s by to ur i st s we r e n ot o ut s i d e H ava n a’s m ai n to ur i st ar e as. Two yo un g c o up l e s w h o hi r e d a c ar to t ake t h e m to s e e t h e s i g ht s ar o un d tow n di s c ove r e d t h e li mi t o n p ub li c c ar o us i n g. T h ey f o un d t h e m s e l ve s i n j ai l, c har g e d w i t h an

of fe ns e ag ainst m o d e st y w h e n t h e l o c a l ‘ v i gi lante s’ r e p o r te d t hat t h e ‘gir l s we r e s it t in g in t h e b oy ’s lap s, we r e e m b r ac i n g, k i s s in g, an d ye llin g, an d t hat o n e of t h e b oys had o n e of t h e gir l ’s sk ir t s up ove r h e r h e ad.’ T h e t wo b oys we r e f in e d, mi s s e d t h e ir ship’s d e par t ur e, an d had to have f inanc i al h e lp to g et o ut of j ai l an d g et h o m e.”

S im i lar r e s e nt m e nt ag ainst to ur i st s ar o s e in m any c as e s w h e n t h e ir ove r ly f r e e b e hav i o r c aus e d s c an dal an d of fe n d e d t h e t r adit i o nal m o r al valu e s of Cubans.

A n d t hin g s g r ew wo r s e ove r t h e ye ar s, as A m e r i c an o r g ani s e d c r im e di s c ove r e d Cuba.

“A m e r i c an’s us e of li qu o r dur in g Pr o hib it i o n invo l ve d a b it of r e b e lli o n, a w i llin g n e s s to f l o ut t h e law an d t r ave l to exot i c l o c al e s w h e r e li qu o r was l e g al b ut t h e am b i anc e was m o r e e d g y. T hat as p e c t of Cuba’s allur e f ad e d w it h Pr o hib it i o n’s r e p e al, but t r ave l to Cuba dur in g Pr o hib it i o n n o n et h e l e s s lai d an im p o r t a nt f o un dat i o n. It d e m o nst r ate d Cuba’s p ote nt i al as a v i c e - s o ake d vac at i o n par adi s e. In d e e d, w hi l e t h e f l ow of li qu o r an d to ur i st s b et we e n Cuba an d t h e U ni te d S t ate s dimini sh e d b r i ef ly in t h e 19 3 0 s, i t s g lam o ur di d n ot g o unn ot i c e d by M eye r L ansk y, t h e inf am o us m o b f inanc i e r.

U nab l e to c o r n e r t h e m ar ket o n r um r unnin g o ut of Cuba dur in g Pr o hib it i o n, t h e m o d t ur n e d it s at te nt i o n to to ur i st v i c e in H avana in t h e ye ar s af te r r e p e al. By t h e late 19 3 0 s, t h e A m e r i c an m o b c o n qu e r e d Cuban ni g ht li fe, c o nt r o llin g H avana’s c as in o s, ni g htc lub s, i lli c it e nte r t ainm e nt s, an d sp o r t in g ve nu e s. B ui l din g o n Cuba’s allur e f r o m t h e 19 2 0 s, it c r e ate d an d hi g h e n d vac at i o n par adi s e p r o mi s in g v ir t u a lly any p l e asur e, w hi c h r e ac h e d it s ze nit i n t h e 19 5 0 s. H avana b e c ko n e d g lam o r o u s st ar s, mus i c i ans, an d A m e r i c an inve sto r s, w h o t ur n e d a b lin d eye to t h e p ove r t y, v i o l e nc e, an d c o r r upt i o n ar o un d t h e m. By t h e late 19 5 0 s, Cuba was a p owd e r ke g an d H avana h e d o ni st i c v ib e h e lp e d c r e ate t h e c o n dit i o ns t hat l e d to r evo lut i o n.”

M ar c o Pi e r ini

Got Rum? June 2025 - 29

Got Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 30 30

The Ru m L ab orator y Presented by

Jo in u s a s we exp lo re t h e wo r l d of r u m sp ic e s and f l avo r s!

I n t hi s se r i e s you w ill l ea r n to f l avo r your ow n Rum s and to c reat e your ow n Liqu eur s and Crea m s.

Got Rum? June 2025 - 31

The Rum Universit y ® Laborator y Presents

making your own

Black Walnut

Rum Liqueur I n g r e di e nt s: • • • • • •

1 Cup S h e ll e d B l ac k Wa lnut s 1 Cup W hi te Rum ½ Cup Ag e d Rum 1 ½ Cup Li g ht C o r n S y r up ½ Cup Wate r 1 te as p o o n Pur e Va ni ll a E x t r ac t

D i r e c t i o ns: To ast wa lnut s. Tr a ns fe r to c l e a n 1- qu a r t j a r w i t h t i g ht f i t t i n g li d. Ad d b ot h r um s a n d c ove r t i g ht ly r i g ht away s o a l c o h o l d o e s n ot eva p o r ate. Let st a n d i n a c o o l, da r k p l ac e f o r o n e m o nt h, s h ak i n g o c c as i o n a lly.

Us e a f i n e m e s h st r ai n e r to st r ai n o ut t h e wa lnut s. D i s c a r d. Tr a ns fe r li qu e ur to a c l e a n c o nt ai n e r. B r i n g c o r n sy r up a n d wate r to a b o i l ove r m e di um - hi g h h e at , st i r r i n g c o nst a nt ly to p r eve nt s c o r c hi n g. Re m ove f r o m h e at a n d l et st a n d unt i l j ust wa r m.

Ad d sy r up a n d va ni ll a to li qu e ur, c ove r a n d a g e f o r o n e m o nt h. Y i e l d: A p p r ox i m ate ly 1 Quar t.

O pt i o n a l: H e r e i s a r e c i p e f o r a mu c h qui c ke r a n d e as i e r m et h o d.

I n g r e di e nt s: • •

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 32

1 Cup W hi te Rum 1 Cup D a r k Ag e d Rum

• • •

1 ½ te as p o o n C o n c e nt r ate d B l ac k Wa lnut Fl avo r i n g E x t r ac t 1 Cup S u g a r ½ Cup Wate r

D i r e c t i o ns: C o m b i n e r um s a n d wa lnut f l avo r i n g i n a 1 qu a r t j a r. M ake a s i m p l e sy r up by b r i n g i n g su g a r a n d wate r to a b o i l ove r m e di um hi g h h e at , st i r r i n g c o nst a nt ly to p r eve nt s c o r c hi n g. W h e n c l e a r, r e m ove f r o m h e at a n d l et st a n d unt i l j ust wa r m. Ad d to a l c o h o l m i x t ur e. C ove r a n d l et st a n d i n a c o o l, da r k p l ac e f o r at l e ast 1 m o nt h.

Got Rum? June 2025 - 33

Got Rum Rum? ? June 2 0 2 5 - 34

RUM

And The Environment

ACTION ITEMS June’s Action Item Is . . .

Compost your organic food waste W h e n f o o d s c r a p s a r e t h r o w n i n t h e t r a s h, t h ey e n d u p i n l a n d f i l l s , w h e r e t h ey r e l e a s e m et h a n e, a p ote nt g r e e n h o u s e g a s . C o m p o s t i n g yo u r f o o d s c r a p s r e d u c e s t h e s e e m i s s i o n s , a l l w h i l e m a k i n g g r e a t s o i l f o r yo u r g a r d e n a n d p l a nt s!

I f yo u d o n’ t h ave a s p a c e f o r c o m p o s t i n g, c o n s i d e r par ticipating in a local municipal or community composting p r o g r a m w h i c h m ay c o l l e c t yo u r f o o d s c r a p s o r o f f e r a d e s i g n a te d l o c a t i o n w h e r e yo u c a n d r o p t h e m o f f.

I f yo u c a n’ t f i n d c o m p o s t i n g i n yo u r a r e a , c o n s i d e r s t a r t i n g a c o m p o s t i n g p r o g r a m o r a d vo c at i n g f o r o n e i n yo u r c o m m u n i t y o r m u n i c i p a l i t y.

S o u r c e: ht t p s: // w w w.e p a .g ov/r e c yc l e /c o m p o s t i n g - h o m e

Got Rum? June 2025 - 35

Rum in the news

by M ike Kun et ka

ROAMING ROA D S PIRITS

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 ? June 2 0 2 5 - 36

M i ke G i l m o r e’s g o a l i s t o b ot t l e t h e h i g h e s t q u a l i t y S i n g l e C a s k Ru m s , A r m a g n a c s , C o g n a c s , G r a i n S p i r i t s , o r w h ateve r e l s e h e f i n d s i nte r e s t i n g i n t h i s b e a u t i f u l Wo r l d o f A g e d S p i r i t s . H i s l ate s t r u m o f f e r i n g s i n c l u d e: • 12 Ye a r M a u r i t i u s Ru m - D i s t i l l e d f r o m s u g a r c a n e j u i c e i n a c o l u m n s t i l l, i t ’s a g e d i n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s a n d f i n i s h e d i n a r a r e c o g n a c cask.

• 12 Ye a r J a m a i c a n Ru m – A p e r f e c t l y b a l a n c e d m e d i u m e s te r m a r q u e, a g e d 12 ye a r s i n a s i n g l e ex- b o u r b o n c a s k .

• 18 Ye a r B a r b a d o s Ru m - D i s t i l l e d at a r e n o w n e d B a r b a d o s d i s t i l l e r y, t h i s 18 - ye a r- o l d r u m i s a m a s te r p i e c e o f p ot a n d c o l u m n b l e n d d i s t i l l at i o n, i m p e c c a b l y a g e d i n ex- b o u r b o n c a s ks .

• 11 Ye a r T h a i l a n d R u m - C r a f te d i n a c o l u m n s t i l l a g e d i n o n c e - u s e d ex- b o u r b o n c a s ks .

• 18 Ye a r B e l i ze R u m – D i s t i l l e d i n a c o l u m n s t i l l from sugarcane molasses.

• 12 Ye a r D o m i n i c a n Re p u b l i c Ru m - D i s t i l l e d f r o m s u g a r c a n e j u i c e u s i n g a c o l u m n s t i l l. ht t p s: //r o a m i n g r o a d s p i r i t s .c o m /

NEOLI HIMALAYAN RUM Himmaleh Spirits, the creators of renowned b r a n d s Ku m a o n & I a n d B a n d a r f u l, h ave u nve i l e d N e o l i H i m a l aya n R u m , t h e w o r l d ’s f i r s t W h i te P u r e S i n g l e H i m a l aya n A g r i c o l e - S t y l e Ru m . D i s t i l l e d i n t h e h e a r t o f Ku m a o n, N e o l i s et s a n ew b e n c h m a r k i n c r a f t s m a n s h i p, b l e n d i n g H i m a l aya n p u r i t y w i t h t h e r e g i o n’s r i c h s u g a r c a n e h e r i t a g e.

U n l i ke t r a d i t i o n a l r u m s m a d e f r o m m o l a s s e s o r j a g g e r y, N e o l i i s c r a f te d f r o m f r e s h s u g a r c a n e j u i c e, f e r m e nte d s p o nt a n e o u s l y, a n d d i s t i l l e d i n a D o u b l e Ret o r t Pot S t i l l, a n I n d i a n f i r s t . T h i s s m a l l b atc h r u m s h o wc a s e s a s m o o t h va n i l l a p r o f i l e w i t h a b r i g ht s u g a r c a n e f i n i s h, b o t t l e d a t a n i m p r e s s i ve 4 9 % A BV. Pe r f e c t f o r s i p p i n g o r c r a f t i n g r ef i n e d cocktails, Neoli embodies both elegance and c o m p l ex i t y. “ N e o l i r e p r e s e nt s o u r c o m m i t m e nt t o p u r i t y, s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, a n d c r a f t s m a n s h i p,” s ay s S a m a r t h Pr a s a d, C o - f o u n d e r o f H i m m a l e h S p i r i t s .

I n s p i r e d by t h e N yo l i b i r d ’s m e l o d i c c a l l, t h i s r u m i s a t r i b u te t o Ku m a o n’s n a t u r a l b o u nt y, c r a f te d w i t h et h i c a l s o u r c i n g a n d s u s t a i n a b l e f a r m i n g p r a c t i c e s . “A s c o n s u m e r s d e m a n d a u t h e nt i c i t y a n d p r ove n a n c e, N e o l i e l eva te s t h e r u m c a te g o r y i n I n d i a a n d b eyo n d,” a d d s A n s h K h a n n a , C o - f o u n d e r. ht t p s: // w w w. h i m m a l e h s p i r i t s .c o m / K ULEANA RUM W OR KS Ku l e a n a j u s t a n n o u n c e d t h e r e l e a s e o f Fo u n d e r s’ C u t #1. W h e n t h ey c o m m i s s i o n e d t h e i r n ew hy b r i d s t i l l i n 2 0 2 3 , t h ey wa nte d t o s ave t h e i r p r e c i o u s H awa i i a n s u g a r c a n e j u i c e, s o t h ey r e c r e a te d i t w i t h a m o l a s s e s , b r o w n s u g a r, w h i te s u g a r a n d wate r f e r m e nt . I t wa s m e a nt t o b e j u s t a te s t , b u t i t t a s te d s o g o o d t h a t t h ey a g e d i t i n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s t o s e e w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n. T h e n, f o r g o o d m e a s u r e, t h ey a d d e d s o m e o f t h e i r a g e d H awa i i a n Ru m A g r i c o l e. Fo u n d e r ’s C u t # 1 w i l l b e ava i l a b l e at t h e Ku l e a n a Ta s t i n g R o o m i n Wa l ko l o a V i l l a g e o n t h e B i g I s l a n d o f H awa i i. A l l f o u r Ku l e a n a R u m Wo r ks ® e nt r i e s j u s t e a r n e d G o l d M e d a l s a t t h e 2 0 2 5 B eve r a g e Te s t i n g I n s t i t u te Wo r l d S p i r i t s C h a m p i o n s h i p s , o n e o f t h e m o s t r e s p e c te d s p i r i t s eva l u at i o n s i n t h e w o r l d. N a n e a ® A g e d Ru m s c o r e d 9 3 Po i nt s , H awa i i a n Ru m A g r i c o l e ® 9 3 Po i nt s , H ō k ū l e i ® A g e d Ru m 9 4 Po i nt s a n d H u i h u i ® W h i te Ru m 9 4 Po i nt s . ht t p s: // k u l e a n a r u m .c o m / CA P TAIN MORGAN C a pt a i n M o r g a n i s l a u n c h i n g C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew, a n ew b r a n d ex te n s i o n w i t h a f l avo rf o r wa r d l i q u i d i n n ova t i o n t h a t w i l l r o l l o u t a c r o s s Eu r o p e, A f r i c a a n d A s i a . D r aw i n g i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m the legendar y muck pits of the Caribbean rum m a k i n g p r o c e s s t h a t s e e ove r r i p e f r u i t t o s s e d i nt o a ‘m u c k p i t ’ a n d f e r m e nte d i n t h e t r o p i c a l h e at t o c r e ate a r u m w i t h a n i nte n s e l y f r u i t y f l avo r,

C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew d e l i ve r s i c o n i c C a pt a i n M o r g a n s p i c e w i t h a n ex t r a o r d i n a r i l y t r o p i c a l t w i s t . C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew i s a g e nt l y s p a r k l i n g t r o p i c a l b r ew t h at b l e n d s C a pt a i n M o r g a n O r i g i n a l S p i c e d G o l d, b r ewe d m a n g o e s a n d a d a s h o f h o p f l avo r s t o g et h e r f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e. T h e r e s u l t i s a n i n n ovat i ve l i q u i d t h at evo ke s the body of a beer but with the finish of rum.

T h e te a m b e h i n d C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew l o o ke d at h o w c o n s u m e r s s o c i a l i ze a n d w o r ke d with focus groups to understand the oppor tunities f o r t h e d eve l o p m e nt o f a n ew t y p e o f d r i n k . W i t h 91% o f r e s p o n d e nt s s ay i n g t h ey ’d d r i n k C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew i n a c a s u a l s et t i n g l i ke a p u b o r b e e r g a r d e n, t h e n ew r u m - b a s e d i n n ovat i o n p r ov i d e s a d e l i c i o u s n ew a l te r n at i ve t o b e e r. M a r k S a n d y s , C h i ef I n n ovat i o n O f f i c e r at D i a g e o, s a i d: “ C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t i s m o r e t h a n j u s t a p r o d u c t i n n ovat i o n; i t ’s a n ew b r a n d ex te n s i o n t h at c h a m p i o n s f l avo r. We c o m b i n e d i n s i g ht s i nt o t h e evo l v i n g way s t h at c o n s u m e r s s o c i a l i ze t o d ay w i t h i n s p i r at i o n f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l p r o d u c t i o n m et h o d s t o c r e ate t h e u n i q u e i n n ovat i o n t h at we c a l l C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew. We c a n’ t wa i t f o r i t t o h i t p u b s a n d f e s t i va l s t h i s s u m m e r, a n d s h e l ve s i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e” C o n s u m e r s w i l l s e e t h e C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew c r e at i ve p l at f o r m , ‘ M u c k U p t h e U s u a l ’, c o m e t o l i f e t h i s s u m m e r v i a c o n s u m e r a c t i vat i o n s a n d s a m p l i n g at f e s t i va l s a c r o s s G r e at B r i t a i n, a s we l l a s t h r o u g h d i g i t a l c h a n n e l s .

C a pt a i n M o r g a n M u c k Pi t B r ew i s 4% A BV a n d i s ava i l a b l e i n s e l e c t ve n u e s a c r o s s G r e at B r i t a i n v i a a n exc l u s i ve p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h LWC D r i n ks , t h e U K ’s l a r g e s t i n d e p e n d e nt w h o l e s a l e r. T h e 4 4 0 m l c a n s a n d 3 3 0 m l c a n s (m u l t i p a c k) w i l l b e ava i l a b l e i n t h e o f f - t r a d e n ex t ye a r. ht t p s: // w w w.c a pt a i n m o r g a n.c o m / PLANTERAY RUM P l a nte r ay h a s r e - i nt r o d u c e d P l a nte r ay S e a l a n d e r Ru m , a p e r m a n e nt a d d i t i o n t o t h e p o r t f o l i o w h o s e j o u r n ey f r o m b a r r e l t o b ot t l e e n c o m p a s s e s t h r e e ex p a n s i ve o c e a n s . T h i s i n n ovat i ve r u m a l l o w s yo u t o t r ave l t h e w o r l d i n o n e s i p, c o m b i n i n g t h e f i n e s t e l e m e nt s o f t h r e e exq u i s i te r u m p r o d u c i n g c o u nt r i e s: B a r b a d o s , M a u r i t i u s a n d t h e Fi j i I s l a n d s . “ Fo r m o r e t h a n 2 5 ye a r s , o u r r u m b a r r e l s h ave s a i l e d b et we e n t h e g r e at r u m - p r o d u c i n g o r i g i n s a n d Fr a n c e, t o b r i n g t h e f i n e s t r u m s t o yo u r b a r s a n d t a b l e s . S e a l a n d e r h o n o r s t h i s h i s t o r y. I a m s o exc i te d t o s h a r e i t w i t h yo u,” s ay s A l ex a n d r e G a b r i e l, o w n e r a n d M a s te r B l e n d e r o f P l a nte r ay Ru m . H a r n e s s i n g t h e Fi j i I s l a n d s’ m i n e r a l - r i c h vo l c a n i c s o i l, e a c h b a r r e l p r o d u c e d by t h e R u m C o. o f Fi j i i s e n h a n c e d by t h e wa r m , t r o p i c a l c l i m ate u n i q u e t o t h e S o u t h Pa c i f i c . C o l u m n d i s t i l l e d r u m s a g e d f o r f i ve ye a r s g i ve c h o c o l ate n ote s a n d Fi j i ’s s i g n a t u r e s m o k i n e s s . T h e r e s u l t i s a d d e d i nte n s i t y, w i t h c h a r r e d b a r r e l s i nt r o d u c i n g a d d i t i o n a l f o r m , s t r u c t u r e a n d f r u i t i n e s s t o t h e r u m. A c c e nt u ate d

Got Rum? June 2025 - 37

by t h e 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 ’s a g i n g p r o c e s s b e s i d e t h e c r y s t a l l i n e s h o r e s o f B a r b a d o s’ B r i g ht o n B e a c h f a c i n g t h e C a r i b b e a n S e a , t h i s p ot a n d c o l u m n s t i l l r u m , a g e d f o r u p t o e i g ht ye a r s , b r i n g s va n i l l a a n d c o c o n u t n o te s , a n d a n ove r a l l g o u r m et m o u t h f e e l t o t h e f i n a l b l e n d w i t h a t o u c h o f B a r b a d i a n h i g h e s te r s . B o t h s e l e c t i o n s a r e f u r t h e r e n h a n c e d by t h e a d d i t i o n o f a t h i r d r u m , d i r e c t f r o m M a u r i t i u s’ S a i nt A u b i n D i s t i l l e r y. Awa s h w i t h g r a s sy a n d h e r b a l n ote s , t h e d i s t i l l e r y ’s c o l u m n d i s t i l l e d u n a g e d e a r t hy c a n e j u i c e r u m a d d s f r e s h n e s s , c o m p l et i n g t h i s exq u i s i te t r i f e c t a b l e n d. ht t p s: //p l a nte r ay r u m .c o m / O Z AMA RUM H a l l - o f - Fa m e b a s e b a l l l e g e n d D av i d O r t i z h a s a n n o u n c e d t h e l a u n c h o f O z a m a Ru m , a n u l t r a p r e m i u m , 10 0 % D o m i n i c a n - m a d e s p i r i t t h a t c e l e b r ate s t h e i s l a n d ’s r i c h h e r i t a g e w h i l e b o l d l y r e i m a g i n i n g i t s f u t u r e. L i ke t h e i c o n i c O z a m a R i ve r f o r w h i c h t h e p r o d u c t i s n a m e d, O z a m a Ru m i s u n i q u e l y D o m i n i c a n a n d p r o u d l y b e a r s t h e d e n o m i n a c i ó n d e o r i g e n ( DO) s t a te m e nt “ R o n D o m i n i c a n o” w h i c h c e r t i f i e s t h a t i t i s m a d e f r o m 10 0 % D o m i n i c a n s u g a r c a n e, f e r m e nte d a n d d i s t i l l e d a n d a g e d f o r at l e a s t o n e ye a r i n o a k b a r r e l s a n d b ot t l e d, a l l i n t h e D o m i n i c a n Re p u b l i c . D eve l o p e d

by O r t i z a n d a te a m o f D o m i n i c a n a r t i s a n s a n d s p i r i t s ex p e r t s , O z a m a o f f e r s a f r e s h t a ke o n r u m.

I n s p i r e d by t h e c o u nt l e s s d ay s D av i d s p e nt a s a l i t t l e b oy o n t h e O z a m a R i ve r f i s h i n g , s w i m m i n g a n d c r a b b i n g f o r j a i b a , t h e p a c k a g i n g i s b o l d, t h e t a s te i s s m o ot h, a n d i t s b r a n d et h o s i s u n a p o l o g et i c a l l y j oy f u l. “ To m e, O z a m a i s n’ t j u s t a b o u t r u m , i t ’s a b o u t i d e nt i t y, p r i d e, a n d p r o g r e s s . I wa nte d t o b u i l d s o m et h i n g t h a t c e l e b r a te s t h e e n e r g y a n d s o u l o f my p e o p l e a n d s h o w s t h e w o r l d w h at we’r e m a d e o f. I t ’s a l way s b e e n i m p o r t a nt f o r m e t o d o t h i n g s t h e r i g ht way, w h i c h i s w hy t h i s l a b o r o f l ove h a s b e e n o n e o f t h e m o s t r ewa r d i n g p r o j e c t s o f my c a r e e r. I c a n’ t wa i t f o r p e o p l e t o t r y i t ! T h ey s ay t h at p e r f e c t i o n d o e s n’ t ex i s t , b u t yo u c a n g et c l o s e t o i t ,” s a i d O r t i z. “ Fr o m d ay o n e, D av i d h a d a c l e a r v i s i o n t o c r e ate a n u l t r a - p r e m i u m r u m t h a t f e e l s a u t h e nt i c , v i b r a nt , a n d u n d e n i a b l y D o m i n i c a n. I t wa s i m p o r t a nt t o h i m t o s p ot l i g ht t h e D o m i n i c a n Re p u b l i c a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e g i ve b a c k t o t h e c o m m u n i t y t h at r a i s e d h i m ,” s a i d A b b o t t Wo l f e, Fo u n d e r & C EO o f D r i n k 2S u c c e s s , w h i c h p a r t n e r e d w i t h O r t i z t o b r i n g O z a m a t o l i f e. “ We’r e p r o u d t o l a u n c h a b r a n d t h at ’s b o l d e n o u g h t o d i s r u pt t h e c a te g o r y, a n d g r o u n d e d i n r e a l c u l t u r e, r e a l p e o p l e, a n d r e a l p u r p o s e.” T h e t h r e e i n i t i a l o f f e r i n g s w i l l b e O z a m a B l a n c o, O z a m a A ñ e j o a n d O z a m a G r a n A ñ e j o. d r i n koz a m a .c o m.

CRU Z AN Cruzan has announced the oldest aged rum to d ate t o b e r e l e a s e d f r o m t h e C r u z a n D i s t i l l e r y o n S t . C r o i x , r e p r e s e nt i n g i t s p r e m i u m t i e r o f s i p p i n g

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 38

r u m s , C r u z a n I s l a n d Re s e r ve 13 -Ye a r- O l d. T h e 13 -Ye a r- O l d r e p r e s e nt s a n ew c h a pte r o f i n n ovat i o n f r o m t h e C r u z a n D i s t i l l e r y i n S t . C r o i x o f t h e US Virgin Islands, an incredibly rich blend of three exc e pt i o n a l r u m s: • 13 Ye a r (4 8%): T h e yo u n g e s t o f t h e t h r e e r u m s e m b o d i e s t h e q u i nte s s e nt i a l C r u z a n s we et n e s s a n d p r o n o u n c e d a r o m a . D e l i c ate a n d s m o ot h o n t a s te w i t h a s h o r te r f i n i s h, l i g ht a n d s we et o n t h e n o s e, w i t h s u bt l e n ote s o f c a r a m e l, h o n ey, o a k , a n d a h i nt o f c h e r r y, va n i l l a , c a r a m e l a n d citrus.

• 16 Ye a r (2 2 %): A s l i g ht r e d u c t i o n i n s we et n e s s , m o r e p r o n o u n c e d w o o d n ote s , t h i c ke r m o u t h f e e l a n d d e pt h o n m i d - p a l ate w i t h a m e d i u m f i n i s h.

• 2 0 Ye a r (3 0 %): D i m i n i s h e d s we et n e s s , wo o d y a n d o a k y o n t h e p a l ate, e m b o d y i n g “ a g e d r u m” – o i l y, h e av y m o u t h f e e l, b u t te r s c otc h n ote s a n d a l o n g s m o ot h f i n i s h t h at yo u c a n c h ew o n.

T h e f i n a l I s l a n d Re s e r ve 13 -Ye a r- O l d b l e n d i s a h a r m o n i o u s c r e at i o n w h e r e t h e 13 - ye a r r u m c o nt r i b u te s p r o m i n e nt s we et n ote s at t h e f r o nt o f t h e p a l ate, t h e 16 - ye a r r u m a d d s a c o m p l ex b o d y, a n d t h e 2 0 - ye a r r u m p r ov i d e s a l o n g, s m o ot h f i n i s h t h at l i n g e r s o n t h e p a l ate. ht t p s: // w w w.c r u z a n r u m.c o m / MOUNT GAY M o u nt G ay j u s t i nt r o d u c e d t h e e i g ht e d i t i o n o f M a s te r B l e n d e r C o l l e c t i o n: T h e C o g n a c C a s k E x p r e s s i o n.

U n l i ke a ny ot h e r r e l e a s e i n t h e M a s te r B l e n d e r C o l l e c t i o n, M o u nt G ay M a s te r B l e n d e r Tr u d i a n n B r a n ke r c h o s e t o h i g h l i g ht t h e i n f l u e n c e o f t r o p i c a l l y a g i n g r u m i n c a s ks t h at p r ev i o u s l y h e l d Cognac. Sharing a long heritage of producing the f i n e s t s p i r i t s i n t h e w o r l d, Tr u d i a n n l o o ke d t o t h e h o u s e o f Ré my M a r t i n t o s o u r c e c a s ks . L o c ate d i n t h e h e a r t o f t h e C o g n a c r e g i o n o f Fr a n c e, Ré my M a r t i n h a s b e e n l e a d i n g exc e pt i o n a l C o g n a c m a k i n g f o r ove r 3 0 0 ye a r s . A g i n g t h e i r p r e c i o u s e a u x- d e - v i e i n t h e h i g h e s t q u a l i t y Fr e n c h o a k c a s ks m a d e o f l a r g e g r a i n o a k t r e e s m a i n l y f o u n d in the Limousin forests and highly famed for the exc e l l e n c e o f t h e i r w o o d. Fo r t h i s l i m i te d l i q u i d, Tr u d i a n n B r a n ke r d e c i d e d t o s h o wc a s e t h e s u bt l e fruitiness of the traditional column distilled rums.

T h i s c o m p l e m e nte d t h e d e l i c ate Fr e n c h o a k c a s ks w h i c h, d u e t o t h e i r l a r g e a n d o p e n g r a i n, i m p a r t a r i c h va n i l l a f l avo r. Fo u r ye a r s o f f u l l t r o p i c a l a g i n g i n B a r b a d o s b r i n g o u t n ote s o f r e d s t o n e f r u i t s , c h e r r y, va n i l l a a n d c a r a m e l. T h e r e s u l t i s a r i c h a n d o p u l e nt b l e n d t h at u n f o l d s w i t h eve r y s i p. T h e C o g n a c C a s k E x p r e s s i o n i s b ot t l e d at 5 8% A BV a n d i s n o n - c h i l l f i l te r e d i n o r d e r t o p r e s e r ve i t s r i c h a r o m a s a n d n at u r a l c o l o r. T h i s ex p r e s s i o n w i l l b e l i m i te d t o 6 , 276 b ot t l e s a n d w i l l b e ava i l a b l e at s e l e c t p r e m i u m r et a i l e r s t h r o u g h o u t t h e wo r l d. ht t p s: // w w w. m o u nt g ay r u m.c o m /

HAM PD EN ESTATE H a m p d e n E s t ate h a s i nt r o d u c e d H a m p d e n 175 3 , a n ew b ot t l i n g n a m e d i n h o n o r o f t h e d i s t i l l e r y ’s f o u n d i n g ye a r. C e l e b r a t i n g n e a r l y t h r e e c e nt u r i e s o f t r a d i t i o n a l c r a f t s m a n s h i p, H a m p d e n 175 3 i s a v i b r a nt t r i b u te t o t h e J a m a i c a n d i s t i l l e r y ’s ex t r a o r d i n a r y h i s t o r i c a l h e r i t a g e. K n o w n f o r i t s ‘ h e av y ’ p ot s t i l l r u m s , H a m p d e n E s t a te i s c o n s i d e r e d o n e o f t h e o l d e s t s u g a r e s t a te s i n J a m a i c a . 175 3 Ru m i s m a d e u s i n g s p r i n g wa te r s o u r c e d f r o m a n e a r by s p r i n g , u n d e r g o e s a l o n g f e r m e nt at i o n p r o c e s s i n i t i a te d by n a t u r a l, i n d i g e n o u s ye a s t s , a n d i s d i s t i l l e d i n d o u b l e - r et o r t c o p p e r p ot s t i l l s . C o m p l ex a n d b o a s t i n g a c l a s s i c h i g h - e s te r p r o f i l e, yet a c c e s s i b l e a n d ve r s a t i l e t h a n ks t o i t s 4 6 % A BV, H a m p d e n 175 3 i s a g e d f o r 3 ye a r s i n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s , a n d b r i l l i a nt l y d i s p l ay s t h e i n i m i t a b l e a r o m a t i c p a l et te o f t h e l e g e n d a r y J a m a i c a n d i s t i l l e r y. ht t p s: // h a m p d e n e s t a te r u m .c o m / HOLMES CAY Er i c K aye h a s a n n o u n c e d h i s f i r s t r o u n d o f r e l e a s e s f o r 2 0 2 5: • Tr i n i d a d 2 012 – 12 Ye a r. T h i s r u m c o m e s f r o m t wo c a s ks f r o m t h e n o w d ef u n c t 10 C a n e d i s t i l l e r y i n Tr i n i d a d. T h e s e r a r e a n d s p e c i a l b a r r e l s g i ve a b e l ove d yo u n g r u m a s e c o n d l i f e a s a n a g e d r u m . D u r i n g 10 C a n e’s ex i s te n c e, t h e r e we r e s eve r a l d i f f e r e nt f o r m u l a t i o n s .

T h e o r i g i n a l, a r t i s a n a l ve r s i o n o f 10 C a n e wa s c h o s e n f o r t h i s e d i t i o n. I n i t , f r e s h c a n e j u i c e u n d e r we nt a f i ve - d ay, l o w te m p e r a t u r e f e r m e nt at i o n w i t h s p e c i a l i ze d ye a s t s t r a i n s . I t wa s t h e n d o u b l e - d i s t i l l e d i n s m a l l b a tc h e s i n Fr e n c h p ot s t i l l s a n d a g e d i n Fr e n c h o a k exc o g n a c b a r r e l s f o r o n e ye a r. W h e n p r o d u c t i o n i n Tr i n i d a d c e a s e d, t h e o r i g i n a l c a n e j u i c e, p ot s t i l l d i s t i l l a te wa s l ef t a g i n g i n ex- c o g n a c b a r r e l s i n t h e t r o p i c s f o r 4 ye a r s , w i t h a f u r t h e r 5 ye a r s m at u r a t i o n i n t h e U K i n ex- r u m c a s ks .

T h e r u m t h e n s p e nt a n o t h e r 3 ye a r s i n ex- r u m b a r r e l s i n N ew Yo r k s t a te, t r a n s f o r m i n g t h e l i g ht - b o d i e d m i x i n g r u m f l avo r s i nt o a m at u r e a n d l aye r e d t a s te p r o f i l e. I t wa s b o t t l e d at b a r r e l p r o o f, o r 5 9 % A BV. • Fi j i 2 0 0 9 – 13 Ye a r. T h i s r u m c o m e s f r o m S o u t h Pa c i f i c D i s t i l l e r i e s o f Fi j i. T h i s m o l a s s e s p ot s t i l l r u m wa s d i s t i l l e d i n Fi j i i n 2 0 0 9 a n d s p e nt 13 ye a r s i n t h e U K i n ex- r u m c a s ks b ef o r e b e i n g b o t t l e d a t a h i g h p r o o f o f 5 8% i n N ew Yo r k s t a te.

• G u ya n a Ve r s a i l l e s 2 018 . T h i s r u m i s a h e r i t a g e m a r k , p r o d u c e d o n t h e Ve r s a i l l e s s i n g l e w o o d e n p ot s t i l l. T h e m a r k wa s o r i g i n a l l y f r o m t h e e a r l y 19 t h c e nt u r y e s t a te a t P l a nt a t i o n Ve r s a i l l e s o n G u ya n a’s D e m e r a r a R i ve r. T h e Ve r s a i l l e s s t i l l eve nt u a l l y c a m e t o D i a m o n d D i s t i l l e r y, t h e o n l y r e m a i n i n g d i s t i l l e r y i n

G u ya n a , w h e r e t h i s e d i t i o n wa s p r o d u c e d. T h i s h e r i t a g e s t i l l ’s vat i s m a d e f r o m G u ya n e s e g r e e n h e a r t w o o d, a n ex t r e m e l y d e n s e n at i ve w o o d. T h e Ve r s a i l l e s s t i l l i s o n e o f t h e o l d e s t o p e r at i n g w o o d e n s t i l l s i n ex i s te n c e. T h e G u ya n a Ve r s a i l l e s 2 018 i s a 10 0 % m o l a s s e s p ot s t i l l r u m a g e d i n ex- b o u r b o n c a s ks i n t h e U K f o r f o u r ye a r s a n d o n e ye a r i n N ew Yo r k s t ate. I t wa s b ot t l e d at 5 5% a l c o h o l by vo l u m e.

• Ré u n i o n I s l a n d Ru m Tr a d i t i o n n e l – S i n g l e O r i g i n Ed i t i o n # 4. T h i s i s a m o l a s s e s - b a s e d r u m f r o m D i s t i l l e r i e d e S ava n n a , t r o p i c a l l y a g e d i n ex- c o g n a c c a s ks f o r t h r e e ye a r s a n d b ot t l e d i n N ew Yo r k at 4 6 % A BV. ht t p s: // w w w. h o l m e s c ay.c o m / A PPLETON ESTATE RUM MUSEUM T h e J a m a i c a O b s e r ve r r e p o r te d t h at J. Wr ay a n d N e p h ew L i m i te d b r o u g ht a t a s te o f t h e r e n o w n e d J oy S p e n c e A p p l et o n E s t ate R u m E x p e r i e n c e To u r t o N ew K i n g s t o n, w i t h t h e g r a n d o p e n i n g o f t h e A p p l et o n E s t ate R u m M u s e u m , a n i m m e r s i ve, c u r ate d s p a c e t h at c a pt u r e s t h e e s s e n c e o f J a m a i c a’s m o s t c e l e b r ate d r u m . I n a m ove t o u s h e r i n ‘e d u t a i n m e nt ’ a n d a n ew s et o f e nt h u s i a s t s , A p p l et o n E s t ate M a s te r B l e n d e r J oy S p e n c e a n d h e r d e p u t y m a s te r b l e n d e r c o l l e a g u e, D av i d M o r r i s o n, ove r s aw t h e d eve l o p m e nt o f t h e n ew r u m m u s e u m.

T h e m u s e u m p r o m i s e s a u n i q u e ex p e r i e n c e, w h e r e e d u c at i o n m e et s e nte r t a i n m e nt , o f f e r i n g a n u n f o r g et t a b l e j o u r n ey t h r o u g h t h e b r a n d ’s r i c h l e g a c y. I n s p i r e d by t h e r e n o w n e d A p p l et o n E s t ate J a m a i c a R u m Fe s t i va l, t h e m u s e u m i s a p o we r f u l c e l e b r at i o n o f J a m a i c a n exc e l l e n c e i n r u m - m a k i n g. D e s i g n e d t o e n g a g e b ot h s e a s o n e d r u m c o n n o i s s e u r s a n d c u r i o u s n ewc o m e r s , i t s h o wc a s e s c e nt u r i e s o f t r a d i t i o n, ex p e r t c r a f t s m a n s h i p a n d c u l t u r a l s t o r y te l l i n g. “ T h i s i s a p o p - u p i m m e r s i ve s p a c e w h e r e p e r s o n s c a n c o m e i n a n d l e a r n a b o u t t h e b r a n d c r e d e nt i a l s , t h e h i s t o r y a n d t h e r u m c r e at i o n p r o c e s s o f A p p l et o n E s t ate J a m a i c a R u m ,” D o m i n i c B e l l, J Wr ay a n d N e p h ew L i m i te d ’s c o m m u n i c at i o n s m a n a g e r t o l d O b s e r ve r O n l i n e s h o r t l y a f te r t h e f e s t i v i t i e s c a m e t o a n e n d. “ We h ave b e e n c r a f t i n g t h i s b r a n d f r o m 179 4 a n d ex p o r t i n g i t t o t h e w o r l d s i n c e t h e n. I t ’s o n e o f t h e t o p - s e l l i n g s p i r i t s g l o b a l l y a n d we’ ve a l way s s a i d, h o w d o we f u r t h e r c o m m u n i c ate a n d i nvo l ve t h e p u b l i c i n t h at o f o u r o w n J a m a i c a n ex p e r i e n c e, a n d t h at i s w h at we a r e d o i n g h e r e n o w.” D e p u t y M a s te r B l e n d e r D av i d M o r r i s o n a d d e d “ I t ’s m o r e t h a n a c a m p a i g n, i t ’s a c u l t u r a l i nv i t at i o n t o i m m e r s e yo u r s e l f i n o u r r i c h h i s t o r y, c r a f t s m a n s h i p, a n d t h e e s s e n c e o f J a m a i c a i t s e l f ”. ht t p s: //a p p l et o n e s t ate.c o m /e n - u s /

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The Sweet Business of Sugar

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ZIMBABWE

Re g a r dl e s s of di st i ll at i o n e qui p m e nt , fe r m e nt at i o n m et h o d, a g i n g o r b l e n di n g te c hni qu e s, a ll r um p r o du c e r s h ave o n e t hi n g i n c o m m o n: su g a r c a n e.

W i t h o ut su g a r c a n e we wo ul d n ot h ave su g a r m i ll s, c o unt l e s s f a r m e r s wo ul d n ot h ave a p r of i t a b l e c r o p a n d we wo ul d n ot h ave r um!

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Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 58 Got 58

Attention American Rum Brands: Don’ t l et t h e unc er t aint y f ro m US Ta r i f f s on fo rei gn - mad e r um s t hreat en your grow t h!

C ont ac t us to begin the proc ess of replac ing your foreign - distilled r ums with domestic allymade r ums that will not be af fec ted by the politic al and ec onomic al tur moil that is st ar ting to boil around us!

We have a large inventor y of domestic allydistilled (t ar if f- f ree), aged r ums, inc luding low and high c ongener, even high ester s!

w w w.RumCentral.com Got Rum? June 2025 - 59

Presents

The Sugar Mill: Origins and Evolution

Got Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 60 60

G Goott R Ruum m?? JJu un e 2 0 2 5 - 6 1

Introduction S u g a r c a n e (S ac c ha r u m o f f i c i na r u m) i s a p e r e nni a l g r as s of t h e f a m i ly Poac eae. I t i s p r i m a r i ly c ult i vate d f o r i t s j ui c e, f r o m w hi c h a l c o h o l (t h r o u g h fe r m e nt at i o n a n d di st i ll at i o n) a n d su g a r (t h r o u g h d e hi dr at i o n a n d r ef i ni n g) c a n b e o bt ai n e d. M o st of t h e wo r l d ’s su g a r c a n e i s g r ow n i n subt r o p i c a l a n d t r o p i c a l a r e as.

I t i s c o m m o n ly ac c e pte d to day t h at su g a r c a n e o r i g i n ate d i n Pa p u a, N ew G ui n e a, w h e r e i t was i ni t i a lly d o m e st i c ate d. T h e p l a nt was t h e n t ake n to ot h e r l a n ds by t r ad e r s, w h e r e i t s swe et v i r t u e s qui c k ly m ad e i t a s o u g ht- af te r c o m m o di t y.

I t i s a l s o c o m m o n ly ac c e pte d t h at a r o un d 10,0 0 0 ye a r s a g o, t h e o r i g i n a l i nh a b i t a nt s of Pa p u a di d n ot h ave to o l s to p r o c e s s t h e c a n e, m e a ni n g t h at t h ey like ly c h ewe d i t r aw to ex t r ac t t h e j ui c e, w hi c h was c o nsum e d as - i s (N o ë l D e e r r, T h e H is to r y o f S u g a r : Vo lu m e O ne).

N ot mu c h w r i t te n hi sto r y ex i st s t h at d o c um e nt s t h e e a r ly ex t r ac t i o n of t h e j ui c e f o r t h e p ur p o s e of d e hydr at i o n a n d f o r m at i o n of su g a r c r yst a l s unt i l t h e p ub li c at i o n of D e M a ter ia M e d i c a, a p h a r m ac o p o e i a of m e di c i n a l p l a nt s a n d t h e m e di c i n e s t h at c a n b e o bt ai n e d f r o m t h e m, w hi c h was w r i t te n b et we e n t h e ye a r s 5 0 a n d 70 of t h e c ur r e nt e r a by Pe da ni us D i o s c o r i d e s, a G r e e k p hys i c i a n i n t h e Ro m a n a r my. T hi s i s t h e o l d e st r e c o r d d o c um e nt i n g t h e ex i ste n c e of c r yst a lize d su g a r, w hi c h was us e d at t h e t i m e to “ t r e at i n di g e st i o n a n d sto m ac h ai lm e nt s.”

H ow di d p e o p l e m a n a g e to ex t r ac t t h e di s s o l ve d su g a r f r o m t h e j ui c e?

T h e a nswe r s to t hi s qu e st i o n a r e at t h e c o r e of t hi s s e r i e s. S o j o i n us, as we ex p l o r e t hi s f as c i n at i n g to p i c !

Got Got Rum Rum?? Ju June n e 2025 2 0 2 5 -- 62 62

Par t 6: The Man of Steel I n Par t 5 we di s c us s e d t h e int r o duc t i o n of w in d p owe r as an alte r nat i ve to anim al o r hum an f o r c e, to t ur n t h e ve r t i c al r o ll e r s c r ushin g t h e c an e. A s yo u r e c all, m o st of t h e m ov in g par t s of t h e s e mi ll s we r e c o nst r uc te d of wo o d, w hi c h i s n ot t h e st ur di e st m ate r i al. Wo o d f ib e r s have int r ins i c f l ex ib i lit y, w hi c h all ow s wo o d e n st r uc t ur e s to b e n d an d ab s o r b s o m e d e g r e e of p r e s sur e w it h o ut b r e ak in g. W h e n c r ushin g su g ar c an e, h oweve r, t hi s f l ex ib i lit y l e ads to r e duc e d p r e s sur e b e in g ap p li e d to t h e c an e it s e l f, t hus m ak in g t h e jui c e ex t r ac t i o n p r o c e s s l e s s ef f i c i e nt .

W hat t h e in dust r y n e e d e d at t hat t im e was a su g ar c an e mi ll c o nst r uc te d of ste e l, but t h e ste e l m anu f ac t ur in g te c hn o l o g y bac k t h e n was st i ll in it s inf anc y an d ste e l par t s w h e r e ex t r e m e ly ex p e ns i ve to p r o duc e. T hi s i s w h e n o ur h e r o, H e nr y B e s s e m e r, c o m e s into t h e p i c t ur e.

B e s s e m e r was t h e s o n of an e n gin e e r an d t y p ef o un d e r. H e sh owe d hi s c o ns i d e r ab l e m e c hani c al sk i ll an d inve nt i ve p owe r s at an e ar ly ag e. A f te r hi s inve nt i o n of adjust ab l e m e c hani c a l st am p s f o r dat in g d e e ds an d ot h e r g ove r nm e nt d o c um e nt s an d hi s im p r ove m e nt of a t y p e s et t in g m ac hi n e, h e we nt to t h e m anu f ac t ur e of “g o l d ” p owd e r f r o m b r as s f o r us e in paint s.

D ur in g B e s s e m e r ’s t im e t h e r e we r e o nly t wo ir o n - bas e d c o nst r uc t i o n m ate r i al s: c a s t i r o n m ad e by t h e t r e at m e nt of ir o n o r e w it h c o ke in t h e b last f ur nac e an d w r o u g h t i r o n m ad e f r o m c ast ir o n in p r imit i ve f ur nac e s by t h e lab o r i o us m anual p r o c e s s of “ p u d dlin g ” (st ir r in g t h e m e lte d ir o n to r e m ove c ar b o n an d r ak in g of f t h e s lag).

D ur in g t h e Cr im e an War, B e s s e m e r inve nte d an e l o n g ate d ar t i ll e r y sh e l l t hat was r ot ate d by t h e p owd e r g as e s.

G Goott R Ruum m?? JJu un e 2 0 2 5 - 6 3

Got Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 64 64

I n 18 4 9, B e s s e m e r m et a J am ai c an su g ar c an e p lante r, w h o d e s c r ib e d to hi m t h e jui c e ex t r ac t i o n m et h o ds c ur r e nt ly in us e. B e s s e m e r was sh o c ke d to l e a r n ab o ut t h e “ wastef ul ” an d “ p r imit i ve” ap p r o ac h t hat was t h e n o r m t h o s e days. C o inc i d e nt ally, sh o r t ly af te r hi s m e et in g w it h t h e su g ar c an e p lante r, t h e S o c i et y of A r t s an d H i s Royal H i g hn e s s Pr inc e A lb e r t ann o unc e d t h e awar din g of a g o l d m e dal to t h e p e r s o n w h o c o ul d im p r ove t h e su g ar c an e ex t r ac t i o n p r o c e s s t h e m o st . B e s s e m e r had n eve r s e e n su g ar c an e b ef o r e, n eve r t h e l e s s h e s et o n a qu e st to d e s i g n an d d eve l o p a su g ar c an e c r ush e r. To te st hi s inve nt i o n, h e o bt ain e d su g ar c an e f r o m M ad e ir a, t hi s was t h e f ir st t im e h e had h e l d su g ar c an e in hi s han ds.

T h e Fr e n c h aut h o r i t i e s w i t h w h o m h e was n e g ot i at i n g, h oweve r, p o i nte d o ut t hat t h e i r c ast- i r o n c ann o ns we r e n ot st r o n g e n o u g h fo r t hi s k i n d of s h e l l. H e t h e r e up o n at te m pte d to p r o duc e a st r o n g e r c ast ir o n. I n hi s ex p e r i m e nt s h e di s c ove r e d t hat t h e exc e s s ox yg e n i n t h e h ot g as e s of hi s f ur n ac e ap p e ar e d to have r e m ove d t h e c a r b o n f r o m t h e i r o n “ p i g s” t hat we r e b e i n g p r e h e ate d — muc h as t h e c ar b o n i s r e m ove d i n a p u d dli n g f ur nac e — l e av in g a s k i n of p ur e i r o n. B e s s e m e r t h e n f o un d t hat b l ow i n g ai r t hr o u g h m e lte d c ast ir o n n ot o n ly p ur i f i e d t h e i r o n but al s o h e ate d it f ur t h e r, a l l ow i n g t h e p ur i f i e d i r o n to b e e as i ly p o ur e d. T hi s h e at i n g ef fe c t i s c au s e d by t h e r e ac t i o n of ox yg e n w i t h t h e c ar b o n a n d s i li c o n i n t h e i r o n. U s i n g t h e s e n ew te c hni qu e s (w hi c h l ate r b e c am e k n ow n as t h e B es s em er Pr o c es s), h e was s o o n a b l e to p r o du c e l ar g e, s l ag - f r e e i n g ot s as wo r ka b l e as a ny w r o u g ht- i r o n b l o o m, but f a r l a r g e r. H e al s o i nve nte d t h e t i lt i n g c o nve r te r i nto w hi c h m o lte n p i g i r o n c o ul d b e p o ur e d b ef o r e ai r was b l ow n i n f r o m b e l ow (s o ur c e: Enc yc l o p e di a B r i t a nni c a).

H i s ste am - o p e r ate d inve nt i o n, w hi c h h e nam e d t h e Plu ng er M i l l, c o ns i ste d of t wo p r e s s in g c y lin d e r s w it h dr ainin g h o l e s al o n g t h e ir s i d e s. A b ove t h e p r e s s in g t ub e s, B e s s e m e r p lac e d a h o p p e r t hat wo ul d h o l d t h e su g ar c an e st alks ve r t i c ally. A s t h e st alks fe ll (by g r av i t y) into t h e c y lin d e r s, a p lun g e r wo ul d c ut t h e c an e into 6 inc h l e n gt hs o n t h e f o r war d st r o ke, p r e s s in g t h o s e s e c t i o ns of c an e at t h e b ot to m of t h e c y lin d e r.

O n t h e r et ur n st r o ke, t h e p lun g e r wo ul d c ut ad dit i o nal c an e p i e c e s an d wo ul d c r ush t h e m at t h e to p of t h e c y lin d e r.

T hi s ap p li c at i o n of c o nt inu o us p r e s sur e m e ant t hat t h e bag as s e (t h e su g ar c a n e f ib e r s) c o ul d n ot r e - ab s o r b t h e ex t r ac te d jui c e.

T hi s n ew p r e s s was ab l e to ex t r ac t s i x hun dr e d g all o ns of jui c e p e r h o ur, r o u g hly 2 0 p e r c e nt m o r e t han t h e ave r ag e wo o d e n r o ll e r mi ll, f r o m t h e s am e quant it y of su g ar c an e. T h e S o c i et y of A r t s was s o im p r e s s e d by hi s inve nt i o n, t hat it awar d e d B e s s e m e r w it h t h e g o l d m e dal. D e sp ite t hi s r e c o g nit i o n, h oweve r, t hi s inve nt i o n n eve r b e c am e an in dust r y st an dar d.

S h ow n o n t h e l ef t : H e nr y B e s s e m e r ’s Plu ng er M i l l, as i llust r ate d o n hi s pate nt ap p li c at i o n.

Got Rum? June 2025 - 65

Sug a r Mill Sp ot li ght Re m ai ns of a su g a r m i ll w i t h b r i c k c hi m n ey a n d p o r t i o n of b r i c k wa ll s, l o c ate d at Fo nt ai n e b l e au S t ate Pa r k n e a r M a n d ev i ll e, Lo ui s i a n a, US A .

J o i n us a g ai n n ex t m o nt h, as we c o nt i nu e to ex p l o r e t hi s f as c i n at i n g to p i c !

Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 66 66 Got

G o t R u m ? J un e 2 0 2 5 - 6 7

CIGAR & RUM PAIRING

by Phi li p I li B a r ake

Got Rum ? June 2 0 2 5 - 68

Moments I was t a lk i n g w i t h a c o ll e a g u e f r o m t h e a l c o h o l b eve r a g e i n dust r y, we we r e r e m i ni s c i n g a b o ut t ast i n g s we’d d o n e to g et h e r at my o l d ba r, p a r t i c ul a r ly a t r ai ni n g s e s s i o n w h e r e h e h ad b r o u g ht a b ot t l e of B ac a r di G r a n Re s e r va Li m i t ada. At t h at t i m e, we we r e h av i n g a g r e at t i m e g et t i n g c au g ht up, s o I g r a b b e d a c o up l e of Tus c a n c i g a r s a n d we nt l o o k i n g f o r a b ot t l e f o r a l ast to ast , i t was a S a m a r o li 19 9 0 D e m e r a r a Rum, b ot t l e d i n 2 015 . I t was a n exc e ll e nt way to w r a p up a n d we st aye d t h e r e t a lk i n g f o r h o ur s.

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 2025 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).

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

I a m n ow r e c a lli n g t h e g o o d fe e li n g s f r o m t h at eve ni n g a n d wa nt to c e l e b r ate t h o s e m e m o r i e s. T hi s i s t h e m o st i m p o r t a nt t hi n g i n li fe: m o m e nt s a n d g o o d m e m o r i e s.

T hi s i s a b ot t l e I b o u g ht dur i n g t h e B e r li n Rum Fe st i va l a r o un d 2 015 2 016 , i t was o n e of m a ny i m p ul s i ve b uys I di d, b e i n g t h at I a m a l ove r of t h e m a ny di f fe r e nt st y l e s of r um.

T h e b e st t hi n g a b o ut t h at ex p e r i e n c e was n ot t h e r um i t s e l f, b ut t h e f ac t t h at I g ot to s h a r e a t a b l e w i t h S i l va n o S a m a r o li. U p unt i l t h e n, I o n ly k n ew of hi m f r o m a r t i c l e s a n d a n e c d ote s. A ll of t h at c h a n g e d dur i n g t h e fe st i va l, we s h a r e d m a ny dr i nks a n d c i g a r s af te r h o ur s, as we ll as, st a n di n g o ut s i d e t h e h ote l, w h e r e we wo ul d h ave a qui c k s m o ke b ef o r e g o i n g o ut to di nn e r. We a l ways f o un d s o m et hi n g i n c o m m o n to t a lk a b o ut , m o st ly a b o ut o ur b e aut i f ul i n dust r y.

A ll of t h o s e m e m o r i e s c a m e bac k to li fe o n c e I h ad t h e r um i n o n e h a n d a n d t h e c i g a r i n t h e ot h e r. Fo r t h e c i g a r, I s e l e c te d a To r o (6 ½ x 52) f r o m C as a M a g n a, C o nn e c t i c ut w r a p p e r, a f o r m at t h at a l ways g u a r a nte e s m e ove r a n h o ur of s m o k i n g p l e asur e.

A s f a r as t h e p ai r i n g, t h e r um was a g e d ove r 2 0 ye a r s i n S c ot l a n d,

Got Rum? June 2025 - 69

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

Got Got Rum Rum?? June June 22002255 -- 70 70

Ph oto c r e di t : @ Ci g a r i li r e ac hi n g a l eve l of m at ur i t y a n d c o m p l ex i t y t h at i s d ef i n e d by h e av y l e at h e r a n d to bac c o n ote s, w i t h li g ht to u c h e s of va ni ll a a n d c a r a m e l. T h e c o m p l ex i t y evo l ve s i n t h e p a l ate, b e g g i n g f o r a p u f f f r o m t h e c i g a r, a ll w hi l e b r i n g i n g bac k to li fe t h e b e st m e m o r i e s f r o m t h e p ast . T h e r um h as a r o b ust p r of i l e w i t h a hi g h e r- t h a n - n o r m a l a l c o h o l i nte ns i t y.

W h e n we exa m i n e t h e b ot t l e, i t r eve a l s i nf o r m at i o n a b o ut i t s a g i n g a n d t h e r e du c e d s ize of t h e b ot t li n g r un. O n ly 3 4 0 b ot t l e s we r e f i ll e d, a n d t hi s i s b ot t l e num b e r 5 0.

T h e To r o c a n b e d e s c r i b e d as s m o ot h a n d subt l e, bas e d o n i t s C o nn e c t i c ut w r a p p e r, b ut t h e N i c a r a g u a n f i ll e r te ll s a di f fe r e nt sto r y. I t fe at ur e s h e av y wo o d n ote s,

a l o n g s i d e b l ac k p e p p e r s p i c i n e s s, w hi c h a r e a l ways a g r e at p r of i l e f o r a likew i s e i nte ns e r um.

T h e r um h as a B r i t i s h G uya n a st y l e, i t was a g e d i n S c ot l a n d, r e sult i n g i n a p ai r i n g t h at m ay s e e m c o m p li c ate d a n d h a r d to r e p li c ate, b ut i t i s a ll p a r t of a l a r g e r p l a n. I w i ll s o o n s h a r e n ew s a b o ut a n eve n m o r e i nte r e st i n g p r oj e c t t h at w i ll b e t h e f o un dat i o n of c o unt l e s s m e m o r a b l e m o m e nt s f o r n ew g e n e r at i o ns of r um l ove r 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

Got Rum? June 2025 - 71

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