"Got Rum?" December 2023

Got Rum? D E C E M B E R 2023

®

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 ce 20 01!

COOKING WITH RUM - Angel’s Share - CIGAR & Rum MUSE OF MIXOLOGY - RUM HISTORIAN UNTIL THE BIT TER END - RUM IN THE NEWS THE IMBIBER’S ALMANAC - THE RUM UNIVERSITY® “gOT rum?” tEAM iNTERVIEW

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28 Got Rum R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 2

Contents

DECEMBER 2023 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 20-23 MUSE O F MI X OLOG Y 24-25 T HE RUM UNIVERSI T Y ® LI B R A R Y 28-31 T h e RUM HIS T ORI A N 32-39 UN T IL T HE B I T T ER END 40-43 RUM IN T HE NEWS 48-55 “ g o t r u m ?” t e a m i n t e r v i e w 56-59 C IG A R a n d RUM PA IRING

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G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 23 - 3

® Got Rum? Printed in the U.S.A. A publication of Rum Runner Press, Inc. Hutto, Texas 78634 - U.S.A. Tel/Fax +1 (855) RUM-TIPS © 2023 by Rum Runner Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

December 2023 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:

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

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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. GOTRU M. CO M 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 : A Dri nk Dressed to Impr ess INSIDE S P RE A D : Wi nter Harvest

F ROM T HE EDI T OR

The Year I t i s that tim e o f the year again , w hen we look back a t what we ’ve a ccom plished and d ream about wh a t t he futur e will hold fo r u s. I fin d th a t p o etr y has a p o ignant, yet ele g a n t wa y t o com m unica te comp lex notions w it h s im pl e w or ds, and the following p o e m b y Ella Wheeler Wilcox illu strate s t h is p e r fectly i n her poem “The Year” (fro m A Poem for Eve ry Winte r Day): What can be sa id in New Year rh y me s , T hat’s not been said a thousa n d time s ?

The new years come , the o ld year s g o , We know we d ream, we d ream w e kn o w.

We r ise up laughin g with th e ligh t , We lie down we e p ing with the n igh t .

We hug the world u n til it stin g s , We cur se i t then a n d sigh for wing s .

We l i ve, we love , we woo, we we d , We w r eathe our prides, we sheet o u r dead.

We laugh, we we e p , we h o p e , we f e a r, And that’s th e burd e n of a year.

G o al- dr i ven p e o p le tend to b e to o h ar sh w i th the mse lve s when e valu a t in g t h e pr ospect o f a ye a r with misse d d eadl i nes and inco mple te tasks.

Whi l e som e self-criticism is always g ood to r e- focu s o u r a tte n tio n on wh a t i s tr uly i m porta n t, it is also p raisew or thy to ack n o wle d g e th e fa ct th a t a nother year is about to start, with a

n e w o p p o rt u n it y t o s t a rt f re s h , f u ll of e n e rg y a n d re n e we d c o mmit me n t .

F ro m t h e R u m R u n n e r P re s s g ro u p o f c o mp a n ie s (T h e R u m U n iv e rs it y, R um Ce n t ra l a n d “G o t R u m? ”), we wis h yo u , y o u r f a milie s a n d t e a ms , t h e b e s t o f t h e s e a s o n . M a y y o u e n jo y e x c e lle n t h e a lt h , s a f e t y o n y o u r t ra v e ls , lo v in g c o mp a n y wh e n y o u n e e d it a n d s o ul wa rmin g f o o d a n d d rin k s t o s a t is f y y o u r b o d ie s a n d y o u r min d s , wit h o ut e x c e e d in g y o u r limit a t io n s .

H a p p y H o lid a y s !

L u is Ay a la , E d it o r a n d P u b lis h e r http://www.linkedin.com/in/rumconsultant Do you want to learn more about rum but don’t want to wait until the next issue of “Got Rum?”? Then join the “Rum Lovers Unite!” group on LinkedIn for updates, previews, Q&A and exclusive material.

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 23 - 5

T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE

by Paul S e nf t

Ron Barcelo Gran Añejo Dark Series T h e B arc e l o r um di st i ll e r y i s bas e d in t h e D o mini c an Re pub li c an d i s t h e o nly c ar b o n - neut r al di st i ll e r y o n t h e i s lan d. T h ey p r o duc e t h e ir r um lin e by fe r m e nt in g f re sh, p re s s e d su g ar c an e jui c e an d di st i llin g it in c o lumn st ills. Fo r t h e ir “ D ar k ” s e r i e s, t h ey ag e t h e ir r um s fo r s i x ye ar s in h e av i ly c har re d us e d b o ur b o n bar re l s an d b l e n d t h e m to 4 0% A BV to c re ate t h e de s ire d f lavo r p r of il e.

T h e 75 0 m l b ot t l e i s f i ll e d an d pac kag e d fo r inte r nat i o nal di st r ibut i o n at t h e di st ill e r y.

M y nam e i s Paul S enf t - Rum Rev i ewer, Tast ing h o st , J udg e and Wr iter. M y ex p l o r at i o n of Rums b e gan by l ear ning to c r af t T ik i c o c k t ails fo r f r i ends. I qui c k ly l ear ne d t hat n ot all r ums are c reate d e qually and t hat t he uni quene s s of t he spir it c an b e as var i e d as t he l o c al e s t hey are f r o m. T hi s inspire d m e to t r ave l w it h my w i fe ar ound t he C ar ibb ean, C ent r al A m er i c a, and U nite d S t ate s v i sit ing di st ill er i e s and l ear ning ab out h ow eac h o ne c reate s t heir r ums. I have als o had t he p l easure of l ear ning f r o m bar tender s, b r and ambas s ado r s, and ot her ent husiast s f r o m ar ound t he wo r l d; eac h o ne p r ov i ding t heir ow n uni que p o int of v i ew, adding an ot her c hapter to t he m o der n sto r y of r um.

T he de sire to share t hi s info r mat i o n l e d m e to c reate w w w. Ru m Jo u r n ey.c o m w here I share my ex p er i enc e s and rev i ews in t he h o p e s t hat I woul d inspire ot her s in t heir ow n ex p l o r at i o ns.

It i s my w i sh in t he pag e s of “ G ot Rum? ” to b e your h o st and p r ov i de you w it h my imp re s si o ns of r ums availab l e in t he wo r l d mar ket . H o p ef ully my t ast ing n ote s w ill inspire you to t r y t he r ums and make your ow n o pini o ns. T he wo r l d i s f ull of g o o d r ums and t he j our ney i s al ways b e st ex p er i enc e d w it h ot her s.

Che er s!

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 6

Appearance T h e b ot t l e’s shap e i s c usto m - de s i g n e d an d us e d fo r ot h e r B ac e l o r ums, w it h t h e exc e pt i o n t hat t hi s o ne i s o paqu e b lac k glas s. T h e f r o nt lab e l p r ov i de s a minimum am o unt of info r m at i o n ab o ut t h e r um, an d t h e bac k c ove r s t h e l e g al an d ret ail o b li g at i o ns w it h t h e ad de d c ar b o n neut r al s e al. T h e b ot t l e i s s e al e d w it h a p last i c s c rew c ap t hat has t h e B ar c e l o l o g o o n to p. Re m ov in g it reve al s a p last i c di f f us e r at t h e to p of t h e b ot t l e. D u e to t h e di f f us e r, it to o k s eve r al t r i e s to g et a de c e nt s amp l e to evaluate.

In t h e glas s, t h e r um h o l ds a dar k g o l d e n amb e r c o l o r. S w ir lin g t h e li qui d c r e ate s a m e dium - s ize d ban d t hat re l e as e s s eve r al wave s of l e g s b efo re s l ow ly evap o r at in g, l e av in g a r in g of p e b b l e s an d re s i du e ar o un d t h e glas s.

Nose T h e init ial ar o m a of t h e r um re min ds m e of c h e r r y c o la. A s t hat n ote s et t l e d, I di s c ove re d n ote s of tof fe e, m o c ha, an d o r an g e p e e l, punc tuate d by f re sh to aste d to bac c o l e af.

Pa l a t e T h e r um has a g e nt l e, sm o k y tof fe e e nt r y t hat qui c k ly pas s e s, r eve alin g a li g ht ly ast r in g e nt o r an g e p e e l n ote mi dpalate.

A s I c o nt inu e d to evaluate t h e sp ir it , I di sc ove re d n ote s of r o aste d walnut s, dr i e d f i g s, r ai s ins, an d to aste d to bac c o l e af. T h e s e f lavo r s lin g e r e d o n t h e palate an d s l ow ly f ad e d, r eve alin g c har r e d o ak f lavo r s t hat to o k ove r, fo r min g a l o n g, min e r al r i c h, swe et f ini sh.

O ve r t h e past te n ye ar s, I have evaluate d quite a few r um s t hat ar e par t of t h e Ro n B arc e l o lin e an d f in d t h e p o r t fo li o p r ov i d e s a f ull r an g e of f lavo r f ul r ums, but unfo r tunate ly, t h e ir r e g ular G r an A ñ ej o di d n ot h o l d up we ll w h e n evaluate d. I b e li eve t hi s was in par t due to t h e way t h e c o m pany c r e ate s t h e ir r um p r o duc t s. D ur in g t h e ir di st i llat i o n p r o c e s s, t h e c o m pany di st i ll s t h e ir li qui d at suc h a hi g h A BV t hat t h ey d e p e n d h e av ily o n t h e wo o d an d t h e c r af t in e s s of t h e ir b l e n d e r s to c r e ate t h e f lavo r p r of il e s of t h e ir r um lin e. W it h t h e o r i ginal G r an A ñ ej o, t h e f lavo r p r of i l e was ove r ly t anni c but had lit t l e to of fe r b eyo n d t hat . S o, it was a p l e as ant sur p r i s e t hat I fo un d t hat t h e G r an A ñej o D ar k i s a f lavo r f ul ex p e r i e nc e t hat i s sup e r i o r to t h e o r i ginal at eve r y l eve l an d was inte r e st in g to evaluate. W it h t hi s balanc e of f lavo r s, I c an s e e w h e r e t hi s r um c o ul d e as i ly b e a wo r k h o r s e p r o duc t , r e p lac e t h e ir o r i ginal G r an A ñ ej o in a var i et y of c o c k t ai l s, an d h o l d it s ow n as a sip p in g r um. T h e b ot t l e an d m ar ket in g m ate r ial st ate t hi s r um i s par t of a “ D ar k ” s e r i e s, w hi c h m ake s m e h o p e t hat t h e re are m o re p r o duc t s t hat us e t h e s e h e av i ly c har re d bar re l s in t h e ir b l e n ds.

w w w.ronbarc elo.c om

Rev i ew

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 23 - 7

T HE A NGEL’ S SH A RE

by Paul S e nf t

Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Barbados 20 0 9 D ur in g t h e f all of 2 0 2 3, H o lm e s C ay re l e as e d an ot h e r ex p r e s s i o n of t h e ir S in g l e C ask Rum lin e. T hi s r um was m ad e at t h e Fo ur s quar e Rum D i st ill e r y, bas e d in S aint Phi llip, B ar bad o s, us in g 10 0% m o las s e s an d i s a b l e n d of p ot st ill an d c o lum n C of fey st i ll r um s. T hi s i s st an dar d o p e r at in g p r o c e dur e w h e n it c o m e s to r um s of t hi s v int ag e. T hin g s g et inte re st in g w h e n it c o m e s to t h e agin g of t h e sp ir it . T h e f ir st e i g ht ye ar s t h e r um was ag e d in us e d b o ur b o n c asks, t h e n sp e nt fo ur ad dit i o nal ye ar s agin g in Li ve r p o o l, U K , in b o ur b o n c asks, an d t h e n f inally ag e d t wo ye ar s in N ew Yo r k S t ate in a Pr e mi e r Cr u B o r d e au x c ask .

A f te r c o mp l et in g t h e agin g p r o c e s s, t h e r um was n o n - c hi ll f i lte r e d an d b ot t l e d at 5 5% A BV. N o su g ar, c o l o r in g, o r ot h e r ad dit i ve s we r e us e d dur in g t hi s p r o c e s s.

Appearance T h e 70 0 m l sh o r t- n e c ke d b ot t l e i s s e al e d w it h a c l e ar s e c ur it y w r ap h o l din g a wo o d e n - c ap 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 lab e l p r ov i de s basi c info r m at i o n ab o ut t h e p r o duc t an d t h e di f fe re nt c asks us e d dur in g agin g.

T h e r um h o l ds a s o li d am b e r c o l o r in t h e b ot t l e, but in t h e g las s, I d ete c te d a re d hu e in t h e li qui d. S w ir lin g t h e li qui d c re ate d a t hi c k ban d t hat s l ow ly re l e as e d a c o up l e of wave s of l e g s. It t ake s s eve r al m inute s fo r t h e ban ds to evap o r ate, l e av in g a r in g of p e b b l e s ar o un d t h e g las s.

Nose T h e ar o m a l e ads w it h dar k b e r r y n ote s an d i s qui c k ly fo ll owe d by a r i c h M adag asc ar vani lla an d nip s of sm o k y o ak , r o un din g o ut t h e ex p e r i e nc e.

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 8

Pa l a t e T h e f ir st s ip de li ve r s t h e dar k b e r r y n ote s f r o m t h e ar o m a al o n g w it h t h e b ite of t h e alc o h o l ac r o s s t h e palate. S p i c y n ote s hit har d mi dpalate w it h n ote s of c l ove, li ght ly bit te r c innam o n bar k , allsp i c e, an d b lac k p e p p e r. A s t h e sp i c e n ote s subs i de, a di st inc t p lum n ote w it h o r an g e p e e l ze st we ave s in an d m e r g e s w it h t h e b e r r y f lavo r s. A s t h e r um f lavo r s b e gin to f ade, a gr ap hite /o ak c har n ote lin g e r s o n t h e palate, c re at in g a l o n g, dr y f ini sh.

Rev i ew S inc e Er i c K aye fo un de d t h e H o lm e s C ay line in 2 019, h e has b e e n o n a mi s si o n to f in d uni que b l e n ds an d f lavo r p r of il e s an d b ot t l e t h e m in limite d re l e as e s.

T h e H o lm e s C ay S in gl e C ask B ar bad o s 2 0 0 9 re l e as e de m o nst r ate s t h e nuanc e s of agin g in t r o p i c al an d c o nt ine nt al e nv ir o nm e nt s an d t h e inf lue nc e t h e c ask f ini sh has o n a p r o duc t . W h e n I f ir st s ip p e d t h e r um, I ve r y qui c k ly to s s e d o ut any p re c o nc e i ve d n ot i o ns I had ab o ut t h e b r an d t hat c re ate d t h e r um an d inste ad tur ne d my at te nt i o n to t h e t w i st s an d tur ns of t hi s r at h e r uni que f lavo r ex p e r i e nc e. W hi l e I fo un d t h e ar o m a s imp li st i c w it h it s o ne, t wo, t hre e, an d d o ne ex p e r i e nc e, t h e f lavo r p r of i l e was an e nj oyab l e ex p l o r at i o n as I s ip p e d an d s avo re d t h e r um, e nj oy in g t h e f r uit an d sp i c e n ote s an d t h e way t h ey f l owe d dur in g t h e evaluat i o n p r o c e s s. Like m o st H o lm e s C ay re l e as e s, t hi s i s a limite d p r o duc t , an d i f yo u e nj oy inte re st in g f lavo r ex p e r i e nc e s, t hi s o ne i s wo r t hy of yo ur t im e an d at te nt i o n.

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.

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

w w w.holmesc ay.c om

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

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 23 - 9

COOKING WITH RUM Bringing the Spirit of the Cane Into the Hear t of the Kitchen!

by Chef Susan W hitley

Got Got Rum R um?? Dece December mber 2023 2023 -- 1100

G Goott Ru Rum m?? De Decceemb mbeerr 22002233 -- 11 11

Crock Pot Holiday Rum Meatballs I n g r e di e nt s: •

1 lb. B a g of Fr oze n M e at ba ll s

•

½ C. Ketc hup

•

½ C. B r ow n S u g a r, p ac ke d

•

¼ C. D a r k Rum

•

1 t s p. Fr e s h Le m o n J ui c e

•

1 t s p. Wo r c e ste r s hi r e S au c e

•

Fi n e ly C h o p p e d G r e e n O ni o n, f o r g a r ni s h

D i r e c t i o ns: 1. To m ake t h e r um s au c e, c o m b i n e a ll i n g r e di e nt s i n a m e di um s ize b ow l, exc e pt t h e m e at ba ll s, a n d m i x we ll.

2. Pl ac e f r oze n m e at ba ll s i nto a c r o c k p ot a n d t h e n p o ur t h e r um s au c e o n to p. M i x i t up a ll r e a l g o o d s o t h at e ac h m e at ba ll i s c o ate d w i t h t h e r um s au c e.

3. Tur n up t h e h e at to hi g h a n d l e ave o n hi g h f o r a b o ut a n h o ur, st i r r i n g a c o up l e t i m e s.

4. O n c e t h e m e at ba ll s h ave s o m ew h at t h awe d, g o a h e ad a n d t ur n yo ur c r o c k p ot d ow n to l ow. C o o k a n ad di t i o n a l 10 m i nute s. Re ady to s e r ve.

G a r ni s h w i t h f i n e ly c h o p p e d o ni o ns. Us e to ot hp i c ks to p i c k up e ac h m e at ba ll. S e r ve s 10.

Got Got Rum R um?? Dece December mber 2023 2023 -- 1122

Eggnog Cheesecake I n g r e di e nt s: • • • • • • • • • • •

1 C. G r a h a m C r ac ke r C r um b s 2 T b s p. S u g a r 3 T b s p. B ut te r, m e lte d 3 - 8 oz. Pac ka g e s of C r e a m C h e e s e, s of te n e d 1 C. B r ow n S u g a r 3 T b s p. A ll - Pur p o s e Fl o ur 2 L a r g e Eg g s (r o o m te m p e r at ur e, li g ht ly b e ate n) ¾ C. Eg g n o g 4 T b s p. D a r k Rum Ad d a das h of G r o un d N ut m e g Ad d W hi p p e d C r e a m

D i r e c t i o ns: 1. Pl ac e a g r e as e d 9 - i n c h s p r i n g f o r m p a n o n a d o ub l e t hi c k n e s s of h e av y - dut y f o i l (a b o ut 18 i n. s qu a r e).

S e c ur e ly w r a p f o i l a r o un d p a n.

2. I n a s m a ll b ow l, c o m b i n e t h e c r ac ke r c r um b s, su g a r a n d b ut te r. Pr e s s o nto t h e b ot to m of p a n. Pl ac e o n a bak i n g s h e et . B ake at 325° f o r 10 m i nute s. C o o l o n a w i r e r ac k .

3. I n a l a r g e b ow l, b e at t h e c r e a m c h e e s e, su g a r a n d f l o ur unt i l s m o ot h. Ad d e g g s; b e at o n l ow s p e e d j ust unt i l c o m b i n e d. G r adu a lly st i r i n t h e e g g n o g, r um a n d nut m e g. Po ur f i lli n g ove r c r ust .

4. Pl ac e s p r i n g f o r m p a n i n a l a r g e r bak i n g p a n; ad d 1 i n. h ot wate r to l a r g e r p a n.

5. B ake at 325° unt i l c e nte r i s j ust s et a n d to p a p p e a r s dull, 4 5 - 5 0 m i nute s. Re m ove s p r i n g f o r m p a n f r o m wate r bat h. C o o l o n a w i r e r ac k f o r 10 m i nute s.

6. Lo o s e n s i d e f r o m p a n w i t h a k ni fe; c o o l 1 h o ur l o n g e r. Ref r i g e r ate ove r ni g ht , c ove r i n g w h e n c o m p l ete ly c o o l e d. I f d e s i r e d, to p w i t h w hi p p e d c r e a m, t h e n s p r i nk l e w i t h nut m e g.

G Goott Ru Rum m?? De Decceemb mbeerr 22002233 -- 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 R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 1 4

Pre sent e d by

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 1 5

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 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 ECE M BE R - N a t ional Eg gno g M ont h D EC 10 N a t ional L ag e r Day D EC 14 N at ional Sc rewd r ive r Day D EC 2 0 N a t ional Sa ng r i a Day D EC 2 4 N a t ional Eg gno g Day D EC 31 N at ional Cha mp agn e Day

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 1 7

Got Rum R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 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 Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 1 9

TH E M US E OF M I XOLOGY

by Cr i s D e h l av i

Polynesian Pearl Diver T h e n a m e a l o n e b r i n g s v i s i o ns of e n dl e s s suns hi n e, c r yst a l b lu e wate r s, a n d di ve r s f i n di n g p i nk p e a r l s i n g i a nt oyste r s h e ll s. I f yo u a r e r e adi n g t hi s i n a c o l d c li m ate l o c at i o n (t hi s i s a D e c e m b e r a r t i c l e, af te r a ll) t hi s m ay b e s o m et hi n g yo u a r e dr e a m i n g a b o ut a ny way !

H i, my n a m e i s C r i s D e h l av i, a n d I h ave b e e n w r i t i n g f o r G o t R u m? f o r a l m o st 8 ye a r s. Fo r n e a r l y 2 0 ye a r s , I r a n a b a r p r o g r a m at t h e p r e s t i g i o u s 4 - D i a m o n d O h i o r e st au r a nt “ M at M i r a n ova .” I t wa s o n e of t h e f i r st c r a f t c o c k t a i l b a r s i n C o l u m b u s a n d g a r n e r e d d oze n s of awa r d s . T h e r e st au r a nt c l o s e d i n 2 0 2 0, a n d i t wa s t h e n t h at I m a d e a m ove f r o m b e i n g b e h i n d t h e st i c k to wo r k i n g a s B r a n d Ed u c ato r f o r D i a g e o H o s p i t a l i t y Pa r t n e r s h i p.

I h ave b e e n c o m m i t te d to m e nto r s h i p my e nt i r e p r ofe s s i o n a l l i f e a n d h ave b e e n o n e of t h e l e a d e r s of t h e C o c k t a i l A p p r e nt i c e Pr o g r a m at Ta l e s of t h e C o c k t a i l s i n c e 2 015 . I n 2 013 I c o m p l ete d t h e B A R 5 - D ay p r o g r a m, a n d I a m h a p py to a n n o u n c e t h at I p a s s e d my WSE T Leve l 3 i n S p i r i t s t h i s p a st f a l l.

O n e of my p r o u d e st m o m e nt s wa s b e i n g i n d u c te d i nto t h e D a m e H a l l of Fa m e i n 2 016 .

I h o p e yo u e n j oy my sto r i e s a b o u t c o c k t a i l s a n d r u m!

Got Rum R um ? De Dece cemb mber e r 22023 0 2 3 - 20 20

T h e Po l y n e s i a n Pe a r l D i ve r i s o n e of t h e m a ny s p e c t ac ul a r dr i nks t h at o r i g i n ate d at t h e f a m o us Lo s A n g e l e s D o n T h e B e ac h c o m b e r t ik i ba r. I t was c r e ate d i n t h e 19 3 0 ’s a n d I a b s o lute ly l ove t hi s c o c k t ai l b e c aus e i t i n c o r p o r ate s a ll of t h e t y p i c a l i n g r e di e nt s yo u t hi nk a b o ut w i t h t ik i dr i nks: t wo t y p e s of r um, li m e a n d o r a n g e j ui c e s, A n g o st ur a b i t te r s, a n d c r us h e d i c e…w i t h o n e uni qu e ad di t i o n.

T h e sup e r s e c r et i n g r e di e nt i s w h at s et s t hi s r e c i p e a p a r t f r o m a ll t h e ot h e r s, a n d D o n B e ac h c a ll e d i t hi s “ G a r d e ni a M i x ”.

G a r d e ni a m i x i s e s s e nt i a lly a b ut te r/ h o n ey sy r up f l avo r e d w i t h va ni ll a a n d bak i n g s p i c e s - n ot un like t h e i te m s yo u wo ul d us e i n a t r adi t i o n a l H ot B ut te r e d Rum. D o n’s i n c r e di b ly c r e at i ve a n d p i o n e e r i n g m a nn e r g ave us m a ny of t h e t ik i c l as s i c s we k n ow to day a n d t hi s dr i nk i s n o exc e pt i o n. Fun Fac t : Le o n a r d o D i C a p r i o’s c h a r ac te r i n t h e m ov i e D j a n g o U n c h ai n e d o r d e r s a Po ly n e s i a n Pe a r l D i ve r ( “d o n’ t s p a r e t h e r um! ” ).

W h at m ake s t hi s i nte r e st i n g as we ll as i m p o s s i b l e, i s t h at t h e m ov i e i s s et i n t h e 18 5 0 ’s.

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 2 1

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 2 2

I h ave i n c lu d e d b ot h t h e r e c i p e f o r t h e G a r d e ni a M i x A ND t h e c o c k t ai l i t s e l f.

H ave f un w i t h t hi s o n e, p l ay a r o un d w i t h di f fe r e nt r um s to o. B e ac hb um B e r r y ’s L at i t u d e 2 9 i n N ew O r l e a ns d o e s a s i m i l a r c o c k t ai l c a ll e d “ Po ntc h a r t r ai n Pe a r l D i ve r ”, us i n g J a m ai c a n r um a n d p as s i o nf r ui t i n i t .

POLYNESIAN PEARL DIVER I n g r e d i e n t s: •

1. 5 oz. Ag e d Pu e r to R i c a n Rum

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. 5 oz. D e m e r a r a Rum

•

. 5 oz. Li m e J ui c e

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. 5 oz. O r a n g e J ui c e

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. 5 oz. G a r d e ni a M i x (s e e r e c i p e b e l ow)

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2 das h e s A n g o st ur a B i t te r s

D i r e c t i o n s: 1. Pl ac e a ll i n g r e di e nt s i nto a b l e n d e r a n d b l e n d o n hi g h f o r 2 0 s e c o n ds.

2. Po ur ove r c r us h e d i c e, a n d g a r ni s h as yo u w i s h.

DON’S GARDENIA MIX I n g r e d i e n t s: •

1 oz. H o n ey

•

1 oz. U ns a lte d s of te n e d b ut te r

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1 t s p. Ci nn a m o n s i m p l e sy r up

•

½ t s p. Va ni ll a s i m p l e sy r up

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½ t s p. A ll s p i c e D r a m

D i r e c t i o n s: 1. Us i n g a s p at ul a o r a h a n d m i xe r, w hi p unt i l c r e a my.

2. Ref r i g e r ate t hi s f o r up to o n e we e k .

Pr o t i p: Yo u c a n a l s o f r e eze t hi s m i x , s o fe e l f r e e to m ake a l a r g e r batc h.

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 2 3

LI BR A RY Rev i ew s of b o o ks r e l ate d to su g a r c a n e, m i lli n g, fe r m e nt at i o n, di st i ll at i o n, a g i n g, b l e n di n g a n d ot h e r to p i c s r e l ate d to t h e p r o du c t i o n o r hi sto r y of r um. w w w. Rum U ni ve r s i t y.c o m

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 2 4

Holiday Cocktails: Over 100 Simple Cocktails to Celebrate the Season

by Editors of Cider Mill Press (Pub li s h e r ’s Rev i ew) Fe at ur i n g m o r e t h a n 10 0 e l e g a nt c o c k t ai l s f o r t h e m o st wo n d e r f ul t i m e of t h e ye a r, H o li day C o c k t ai l s m ake s i t e asy to g r e et yo ur f a m i ly a n d f r i e n ds i n a m a nn e r t h at sui t s t h e s e as o n.

I ns i d e, yo u’l l f i n d: Pun c h e s a n d b i g batc h c o c k t ai l s t h at m ake e nte r t ai ni n g a b r e eze To d di e s a n d ot h e r w i nte r wa r m e r s to ke e p yo u c oz y as t h e wo r l d t ur ns cold S p a r k li n g c o c k t ai l s to c a pt ur e t h e exc i te m e nt i n t h e ai r H e lpf ul t i p s a n d te c hni qu e s s o yo ur c r e at i o ns a r e a l ways to p s h e l f W h et h e r yo u’r e ex p e c t i n g a b i g c r ew of p e o p l e at t h e a nnu a l h o li day g at h e r i n g o r l o o k i n g f o r s o m et hi n g to e nj oy as yo u qui et ly s i t a n d a p p r e c i ate t h e li t t r e e, yo u’ll f i n d a dr i nk t h at ’s ef f o r t l e s s to p r e p a r e, a ll ow i n g yo u to r e m ai n f o c us e d o n t h e m a g i c . Fr o m d e c ad e nt c l as s i c s like Eg g N o g to j oy f ul s e r ve s like t h e C h r i st m as M a r t i ni, t h e s e c o c k t ai l s p r ove t h e r e’s n o p l ac e like h o m e f o r t h e h o li days.

Pub li s h e r : Ci d e r M i ll Pr e s s (O c to b e r 2 6 , 2 0 21) L a n g u a g e: En g li s h H a r dc ove r : 24 0 p a g e s IS B N -10: 16 4 6 4 3174X IS B N -13: 978 -16 4 6 4 3174 8 I te m We i g ht : 1. 41 p o un ds D i m e ns i o ns: 6 . 8 4 x 0. 8 2 x 8 . 28 i n c h e s

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 2 5

Got Got R Rum um?? De Dece cemb mber e r 22023 0 2 3 -- 26 26

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

•

Single Bar rels and Sec ond Aging / Finish

D istilled in the USA , C entral A mer ic a, South A mer ic a or in the Car ibbean O ver 15 0 M ar ks /St yles Available, plus Custom Blends Low M inimums and Fast Tur naround, Wor ldwide Shipping

w w w.RumCentral.com G Goott Ru Rum m?? De Decceem mb ber 2023 - 27

TH E R U M HISTO R IAN

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 R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 2 8

HISTORY O F C U B A N RUM 14 RUM C ONSUM P TION IN X I X C EN T URY ’S C U B A A f te r a few m o nt hs’ b r e ak , we t ake up a g ai n t h e sto r y of Cuban r um, t hi s t im e f o c us i n g o n r um c o nsum pt i o n in X I X c e nt ur y ’s Cuba.

Fo r t hi s ar t i c l e, I bas e d mys e l f m o st ly o n t h e e s s ay “B eb i das y am b i ente s o c ia l en la C u ba d el s i g l o X I X ” (D r inks an d s o c i a l e nv ir o nm e nt in X I X c e nt ur y ’s Cuba) 2 0 0 2

by I sm ae l S ar m i e nto R amír ez, t h e b e aut i f ul b o o k of S amu e l H a z ar d “C u ba wi th p en a nd p enc i l ” 1870, t h e c las s i c b o o k by Fe r n a n d o C am p o am o r “E l hi j o a l e g r e d e la c aña ” ( T h e hap py s o n of t h e c an e) 19 81, an d, l ast but n ot l e ast , t h e f un dam e nt al vo lum e by Fr e d e r i c k H . S mit h “C ar i b b ean R u m ” 2 0 0 5 .

Fo r t h e s ake of s im p li c it y, I w i ll al ways us e t h e wo r d r um. B ut r e m e m b e r t hat in X I X c e nt ur y Cuba, t h ey usually c all e d o r di n a r y, c h e ap, r um w it h t h e wo r d a g uar d i ente d e c aña (su g ar c an e bur nin g wate r) o r s im p ly a g uar d i ente, w hi l e t h ey us e d t h e wo r d r o n (r um) o nly f o r t h e b et te r qualit y, ex p e ns i ve, p r o duc t .

Let ’s st a r t w i t h t h e b l ac k p o p ul at i o n, r e m e m b e r i n g t hat i n Cuba, al o n g s i d e t h e m a j o r i t y of s l ave s, t h e r e was al s o a sub st a nt i a l mi n o r i t y of f r e e b l ac ks an d mul at to e s. I n t h e Cuban p l ant at i o ns r um was di st r i bute d to s l ave s as a p r eve nt i ve a n d h e ali n g m e di c i n e b e c aus e it was b e li eve d t hat i t c o ul d p r e s e r ve t h e m f r o m m a ny di s e as e s an d h e lp c ur e t h e m i f t h ey g ot s i c k . A l s o, i n Cuba as e l s ew h e r e i n t h e C ar i b b e an, to m ake r e g ul ar di st r i but i o ns of r um to t h e s l ave s was a n o r m al p r ac t i c e i n n e a r ly a ll t h e p l ant at i o ns. T h ey we r e limi te d di st r i b ut i o ns, n ot e n o u g h to m ake t h e m dr unk , but e n o u g h to b e e nj oye d g r e at ly. T h e s e di st r i but i o ns h e lp e d to m ai nt ai n o r d e r an d r e s p e c t f o r hi e r a r c hi e s. M o r e ove r, w h e n t h e wo r k was p a r t i c ul a r ly har d o r di f f i c ult , t h ey we r e g i ve n a n ex t r a r at i o n as a r ewa r d.

D i st r i b ut i o ns of r um o c c ur r e d al s o f o r s o m e r e li g i o u s fe st i v i t i e s, f o r C at h o li c c h a p e l s a n d p r i e st s we r e of te n p r e s e nt in Cu - ba n p l a nt at i o ns. T h e Pl ante r s li ve d in a p e r p etu a l c o nt r adi c t i o n. O n t h e o n e h a n d, r um m ad e t h e s l ave s hap p i e r an d m o r e d o c i l e, i t m ad e t h e m wo r k har d e r a n d b et te r ac c e pt t h e i r b o n dag e. O n t h e ot h e r, to o mu c h r um m ad e t h e m dr unk , t h e r efo r e un a - b l e to wo r k an d at t i m e s eve n r e b e l li o us an d dan g e r o us.

Usu a lly, t h e s l ave s dr ank r um i n t h e m o r ni n g, p ur e, w i t h o ut di lut i n g i t w i t h wate r. T h e r e we r e t wo bas i c t y p e s, t h e s o - c a ll e d c o r d ó n c er r a d o (c l o s e d l ac in g?) w hi c h s e e m s to have b e e n m o r e o r l e s s b et we e n 28 an d 3 0 d e g r e e s abv, an d t h e li g hte r m e d i o c o r d ó n (hal f l ac i n g?) T h e e as e w i t h w hi c h s l ave s ac qui r e d t h e hab it a n d p l e asur e of dr i nk i n g r um p r o bab ly h ad i t s r o ot s a l s o i n t h e i r f am i li ar i t y w it h a l c o h o li c fe r m e nte d b eve r ag e s, suc h as p a lm w i n e, w i d e ly c o nsum e d i n t h e ir n at i ve A f r i c a.

Rum was (a n d i s) al s o w i d e ly us e d i n t h e r ite s of A f r o - Cuban r e li gi o ns. I n Cuba, m o r e t h a n e l s ew h e r e i n t h e C ar i b b e an, s lave s r e m ai n e d t i e d to t h e i r et hni c a n d c ultur a l o r i gi ns, t hanks al s o to t h e i r c a b i l d o s (m o r e o r l e s s, c o unc i l s), a k i n d of c o m muni t y o r g aniz at i o ns o n

et hni c bas e s t hat we r e to l e r ate d by t h e m aste r s an d t h e c hur c h. In t hi s c o ntex t , var i o us n ew r e li gi o ns we r e b o r n t hat unite d di v init i e s an d r ite s of A f r i c an anc e st r al r e li gi o ns w it h st r o n g inf lu e n c e s of C at h o li c i sm. S antería i s p e r hap s t h e b e st- k n ow n an d m o st w i d e sp r e ad, eve n o ut s i d e Cuba. “ I n Cuba, f o ll owe r s of s antería al s o p o ur r um libat i o ns an d m ake of fe r in g s to o r is ha o r sp ir it s in p ub li c a n d p r i vate c e r e m o ni e s. … all o r i shas r e qui r e ‘n o ur i shm e nt ’, inc lu din g r um, w hi c h t h ey r e c e i ve d f r o m f o ll owe r s dur in g r e g ula r c e r e m o ni e s. Like O g un in H ait i an vo o d o o, O g o u, t h e ag g r e s s i ve war r i o r sp ir it in s ante r ía, t y p i c ally p r efe r s to dr ink r um.

S p ir it ual p o s s e s s i o n al s o d e m an ds t h e ex te ns i ve us e of al c o h o l …” (S mit h) B lac ks, b ot h s lave s an d f r e e, l ove d r um an d t r i e d to g et it in eve r y way, eve n ste alin g it o r ste e lin g g o o ds to exc han g e it f o r. Let ’s r e ad ag ain o n e of t h e c las s i c s of Cuban lite r at ur e of t h e X I X c e nt ur y, an d in d e e d of all t im e, “C ec i l ia Va l d ès ”

by Cir i l o V i llave r d e, w r it te n in a lar g e par t in 18 3 9. I n t h e n ove l, w hi c h te ll s t h e t r agi c sto r y of a yo un g, b e aut i f ul, mulat to gir l, r um i s of te n m e nt i o n e d as t h e s lave s’ dr ink . “ W hi l e h e was wait i n g f o r t h e M aste r, o r was s l e e p in g, o r had i n hi s skull m o r e r um t han n e c e s s ar y.” A n d late r “ D i d yo u g o to t h e innke e p e r of t h e v i llag e to swap w it h r um t h e r as pa du r a (a s o r t of r aw su g ar) w hi c h yo u ste al f r o m t h e p lant at i o n? ” A f te r t h e ab o lit i o n of s lave r y in 18 8 6 , t h e c l o s e r e lat i o n b et we e n r um an d t h e b lac ks c o nt inu e d, “ E x- s lave s in Cuba hir e d t h e m s e l ve s to p lant at i o ns o r j o in e d wo r k g an g s c all e d c ua d r i l las. T h e s e r ov in g wo r ke r s r e c e i ve d r at i o ns of ag uar di e nte just as s lave s had un d e r s lave r y. I n 18 9 2, t h e c o m pany sto r e at S ant a Luc i a su g a r f ac to r y in G ibar a, Cuba, p o s s e s s e d a di st i ll e r y an d nin e s al o o ns. Wo r ke r s we r e pai d w it h c o m pany to ke ns, w hi c h t h ey sp e nt o n r um at t h e c o m pany sto r e s an d s al o o ns.” (S mit h). T hi s ex p lains w hy, ac c o r din g to S ar m i e nto R amír ez, “ Fo r a l o n g t im e an d st i ll to day to s ay r um i s to e st ab li sh an alm o st dir e c t r e lat i o nship w it h b lac ks an d w it h t h e un d e r wo r l d.”

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 2 9

A di sto r te d v i ew w i t h a r ac i st bas e in hi s f i r st as s e r t i o n d o e s n ot d e ny t hat b l ac ks we r e t h e m o st d evote d to t h e c o nsum pt i o n of t hi s dr i nk . Re g ar din g t h e s e c o n d, r um was t h e l e ast ex p e ns i ve of a l l a l c o h o li c dr i nks, c h e ap e r t han g r ap e b r a n dy, a n d t h e r ef o r e was w i t hi n r e ac h of t h e p o o r e st . O nly l ate r, i n t h e s e c o n d h a l f of t h e c e nt ur y, di d t h e c o nsum pt i o n of Cuba n r um s p r e ad am o n g t h e up p e r c l as s e s.

Eve n fo r t h e w hi te p o p ul at i o n, r at h e r t han a p l e asur e dr i nk r um was c o ns i d e r e d fo r c e ntur i e s a p r eve nt i ve an d c ur at i ve m e di c i n e f o r a mult i p li c i t y of i l l s, “r em e d i o u n i ver s a l ” (uni ve r s al panac e a) ac c o r di n g to t h e f r i ar s w h o as s i ste d p at i e nt s i n h o s p i t al s. Wate r y, i t was a m e di c i n e to h e al wo un ds an d w it h towe l s s o ake d i n r um, t h ey r ub b e d lim b s a g ai nst p ai ns an d t i r e dn e s s. O n e of t h e m o st i n g r ai n e d c usto m s i n Cuba, t hat of dr i nk i n g wate r m i xe d w i t h r um, was, ac c o r di n g to t h e b e li ef s of t h e t i m e, b e c au s e t h e s p i r i t g ave g o o d qualit i e s to t h e wate r an d p r eve nte d ye l l ow feve r f r o m e nte r i n g t h e o r g ani s m; dur i n g t h e f ir st wa r of i n d e p e n d e nc e, t h e Te n Ye ar s’ War (18 6 8 -78), t hi s p r ac t i c e b e c am e c o m m o n a m o n g b ot h Cuban an d S pani s h s o l di e r s.

O n t h e c o nf i d e nc e i n t h e h e alt hy v i r tu e s of r um an d s p i r i t s i n g e n e r al, i t i s i nte r e st i n g to r e ad to day a c o nte m p o r ar y te st i m o ny, D o c to r R am ó n H e r n á n d ez Po g gi o’s. M e di c al of f i c e r of t h e S p a ni s h ar my, H e r nán d ez Po g gi o p a r t i c i p ate d i n t h e Te n Ye ar s’s War a n d t h e fo ll ow i n g ye ar p ub li s h e d in “L a G ac eta d e la S an i da d M i l i tar ” a l o n g e s s ay: “R em em b r anzas m é d i c as d e la g u er r a s epar a t is ta d e C u ba ” (M e di c al r e m e m b r anc e s of t h e s e par at i st war i n Cuba) “A l c o h o l t ake n i n m o d e r ate qu a nt i t y c aus e s a c e r t ai n d e g r e e of st i mul at i o n i n t h e muc o us m e m b r an e of t h e sto m ac h to ac t i vate i t s s e c r et i o ns an d ac t s to f unc t i o n, w hi c h w h e n ab s o r b e d c i r c ul ate s i n t h e b l o o d, s p e e di n g up t h e m ove m e nt s of t h e h e ar t an d ve s s e l s, a n d i n c r e as i n g b ot h t h e h e at of t h e p e r i p h e r y an d of t h e i nte r i o r of t h e b o dy; as i t i s k n ow n t hat a par t of t h e al c o h o l

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 3 0

c ir c ulat in g w it h t h e b l o o d i s bur n e d, f r o m w h o s e c o m bust i o n t h e inc r e as e of nat ur al c al o r i e s of t h e o r g ani sm p r o c e e ds; in ad dit i o n, t h e c ar b o ni c ac i d t hat ac c umulate s in s ai d li qui d, p r o duc e s a g e n e r al exc it at i o n, gi v in g g r e ate r ac t i v i t y to t h e f unc t i o ns, an d f o r t hi s c aus e as we ll as f o r t h e inc o m bust ib l e par t t h at c ir c ulate s in a nat ur al st ate w it h t h e b l o o d, gi ve s a c e r t ain d e g r e e of e n e r g y to t h e n e r vo us syste m, w hi c h i s r eve a l e d by t h e v i g o r t hat t h e m an ac quir e s un d e r t h at st imulat in g ac t i o n.”

Fr o m t h e e ar ly 18 0 0 s, t h e g r ow t h of r um p r o duc t i o n had l e d to t h e d e c lin e of g r a p e b r an dy im p o r t s f r o m t h e C anar i e s a n d S pain, e sp e c i ally f r o m C at al o ni a. W hi l e t h e we alt hi e st we r e dr ink in g J am ai c a n r um, o nly w in e r e m ain e d to c o m p ete w i t h Cuban r um in t h e c o nsum pt i o n of m o st c o nsum e r s. Var i o us t y p e s of w in e we r e im p o r te d f r o m S pain an d Fr anc e, fo r a ll t aste s an d f o r (alm o st) all bu d g et s, b ut t h e m o st c o m m o n was C at alan w in e. A n d in t h e c h o i c e b et we e n dr ink in g w in e o r r um t h e r e was a di f fe r e nc e in t aste t h at al s o had d e e p c ult ur al an d i d e nt it y r o ot s.

T h e c r i o l l o, t hat i s t h e nat i ve Cuban, dr ank r um, w hi l e t h e p en i ns u lar, t h at i s t h e S pani sh b o r n, di d n ot r e n o unc e hi s w in e.

A m o n g t h e m any ways of dr ink in g r um t h e r e was a k in d of h ot c o c k t ai l t h at was c o nsum e d o n t h e p lant at i o ns, p a r t ly as c o r di al, in par t f o r p ur e p l e asur e.

H e r e’s h ow H a z ar d d e s c r ib e s it : “A s a p r e liminar y to r et ir in g, it was o ur c usto m, b e in g invali ds (f o r all of w h o m it i s p r e s c r ib e d), to dr ink a h ot g ua r a p o p unc h, w hi c h i s s ai d to b e f o r di s e as e s of t h e c h e st an d lun g s, an d w hi c h I f o un d ve r y palat ab l e in d e e d. T hi s p unc h i s m ad e by t ak in g an e g g, an d b e at in g it up w i t h a ‘su f f i c i e nt quant it y ’ of r um, w hi skey, o r b r an dy; t h e b o i lin g c an e - jui c e, f r e sh f r o m t h e b o i l e r s, an d k n ow n as g ua r a p o, i s t h e n p o ur e d into it , an d t hi s mi x t ur e, af te r b e in g p o ur e d bac k war ds an d f o r war ds unt i l t h e r e i s a f in e f r ot hy b e ad o n i t , i s dr unk ; an d I c an as sur e my r e ad e r, f r o m f r e qu e nt ex p e r i e nc e of it , it i s muy bu en o, in d e e d.”

To u s, to day, t hi s m ay s e e m st r an g e, b ut i n Cuba r um was c o m m o nly us e d a l s o fo r was hi n g. T h e r e i s n o f o r e i g n t r ave l e r w h o di d n ot n ote w i t h s o m e a m a ze m e nt t h e o r di nar y way of us i n g i t fo r p e r s o n al g r o o m i n g, sup p ly i n g wate r a n d s o ap. Cuban wo m e n, w r i te s my b e l ove d H a z ar d, ap par e nt ly wash e d ve r y li t t l e: “ O f c o ur s e, i n m at te r s of t hi s k i n d, to u c hi n g t h e hab i t s of t h e f ai r s ex , my aut h o r i t y must b e s e c o n d - han d; but I h ave b e e n f r e qu e nt ly i nf o r m e d by lady fo r e i g n e r s, l o n g t i m e r e s i d e nt i n Cuba, t h at t h e o n ly p e r f o r m anc e of t hi s k in d g o n e t h r o u g h by t h e Cuban wo m e n, in t h e c o unt r y an d s m al l p l ac e s, i s t h e da m p e ni n g of t h e c o r n e r of t h e towe l w i t h a g ua r d i ente, a s p e c i e s of r um, an d r ub b i n g w i t h i t t h e f ac e an d n e c k .”

Ac c o r di n g to J o s é G ar cía d e A r b o l eya i n hi s “ M a nual d e l a I s l a d e Cuba” p ub li s h e d i n H avana i n 18 52, t h e annual c o nsum pt i o n p e r c ap i t a was of 12 b ot t l e s o r 8 ,7 li te r s. In t h e s e c o n d hal f of t h e c e ntur y, r um c o nsum pt i o n g r ew a l ot (a l o n g w i t h t hat of b e e r), but I h ave n ot fo un d p r e c i s e f i g ur e s, w hi l e t h e c o nsum pt i o n of w i n e d e c li n e d, alm o st di s a p p e a r i n g i n to day ’s Cuba. T h e s e ar e t h e s a m e d e c ad e s i n w hi c h t h e n ew Ro n Li g e r o (Li g ht Rum) was b o r n an d s p r e ad (s e e T HE Q UEST FOR Q UA LIT Y i n t h e A p r i l 2 0 2 3 i s su e) an d m any f am o us b r a n ds a p p e ar e d: A l buer ne, Á l var ez C a m ps , B o c oy, C am p e ó n, C as t i l l o, J i quí, L avín, M a tus a l én, O b is p o, S an C a r l o s , S a n L i n o, L a V izc aya y, s o b r e to d o, B ac a r dí.

Fi n a lly, m a ny f o r e i g n t r ave l e r s c l ai m t hat Cuba ns dr i nk m o d e r ate ly an d t hat it was di f f i c ult , s o m e o n e w r i te s i m p o s s i b l e, to s e e s o m e o n e r e ally dr unk . Fo r exam p l e, w r i te s H a z ar d: “ O n e t hi n g I must c o nfe s s i s, t hat dur i n g my e nt i r e st ay o n t h e i s l a n d, I n eve r s aw i n tow n o r c o unt r y, a p e r s o n w h o m we s h o ul d c all dr unk .”

te st im o ni e s, in f ac t , c am e f r o m t h e US A w h e r e Te m p e r anc e M ove m e nt s g r ew f r o m ye ar to ye ar an d w h e r e dr unke nn e s s was c o ns i d e r e d a r e al s o c i al s c o ur g e; t h e ve r y c o nc e pt of al c o h o li sm in d e e d was b o r n in t h e s e ye ar s. We ll, c e r t ain ly c o m par e d to t hat r e alit y, t h e s it uat i o n i n Cuba was muc h b et te r. B ut I c an’ t b e li eve t hat t h e r e we r e n’ t dr unk- ar ds at all. I n t h e s e c o n d hal f of t h e c e nt ur y, w it h t h e sp r e ad of r um (an d b e e r) c o n - sum pt i o n, m any n ew wo r ds we r e b o r n to d e s c r ib e dr unke nn e s s a n d dr unks. To o m a ny wo r ds, i f t h e t hin g t h ey d e s c r ib e d di d n ot ex i st .

A m o n g m any im aginat i ve an d f unny ni c k nam e s at t r ibute d to dr unks, I want to m e nt i o n h e r e at l e ast o n e of t h e b e st k n ow n: mas c av i d r i o s, t hat i s, m o r e o r l e s s, g las s e ate r. A n d h e r e i s t h e ex p lanat i o n of t h e o r i gin of t h e wo r d: “ t h e r e ar e t h o s e w h o s ay t hat a c e r t ai n f ur i o us dr unke n, af te r e n g ul f in g r e g ul a r d o s e s of t h e bur nin g li qu o r, n ot b e in g s at i s f i e d yet , c o nt inu e d b it in g t h e g las s, to t h e p o int t hat o n e w h o o b s e r ve d hi m, sh o ute d to him f r o m t h e d o o r of t h e t ave r n: M as c av i d r i o ! ” (Fr anc i s - c o d e Paula G e lab e r t) I n c o nc lus i o n, dur in g t h e X I X c e nt ur y, r um c o nsum pt i o n g r ew an d sp r e ad in Cuba, p e n et r at in g all et hni c g r o up s an d all s o c i al c las s e s. Yet , d e sp ite t hi s g r ow t h, unt i l t h e e n d of t h e c e nt ur y r um i s st i ll n ot T HE Cuban nat i o nal dr ink , a n i c o n of Cubani sm. Fo r t hi s, we must wai t f o r t h e n ew c e nt ur y w it h I n d e p e n d e nc e an d t h e g r ow in g inte r nat i o nal suc c e s s of Cuban r um. A s we w i ll s e e in t h e n ex t ar t i c l e s.

M ar c o Pi e r ini

A n d t h at ’s a li t t l e har d to b e li eve. M ay b e i t was j u st a m at te r of p e r c e pt i o n a n d c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h e i r C o unt r y. M any of t h e t r ave l e r s w h o l ef t us t h e s e

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 3 1

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END Join u s a s we exp lo re t h e f a scinat ing wo r l d of b i t t e r f l avo r s and t h eir ro l e in g a st rono my, mixolo g y and h eal t h.

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R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 3 2 Got Rum

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 3 3

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END S c i e n c e h a s c l a s s i f i e d f l avo r s i nt o f i ve m a i n g r o u p s , a s p e r c e i ve d by o u r t o n g u e s . T h e s e g r o u p s a r e: S we et , S o u r, S a l t y, B i t te r a n d - m o s t r e c e nt l y - U m a m i.

M o s t f o o d s a n d b eve r a g e s h ave a c o m b i n at i o n o f f l avo r i n g c o m p o u n d s t h a t g i ve t h e m t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r “ f o o t p r i nt ,” t h a t c a n e n c o m p a s s s eve r a l o f t h e s e f l avo r g r o u p s . T h i s n ew s e r i e s i s d evote d t o t h e B i t te r f l avo r, a n d t o i t s i m p a c t o n o u r eve r yd ay l i f e.

Evo l u t i o n a r y s c i e nt i s t s s u g g e s t t h a t t h e a b i l i t y t o d ete c t b i t te r n e s s evo l ve d a s a way t o p r ote c t

Got Rum R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 3 4

u s f r o m t ox i c p l a nt s a n d ot h e r s u b s t a n c e s , w h i c h o f te n t a s te b i t te r. A l t h o u g h i t g et s a b a d r a p, b i t te r n e s s c a n b e u s e d t o c r e ate we l l - r o u n d e d a n d d e s i r a b l e f l avo r p a l ate s . Yo u m ay n ot b e awa r e o f i t , b u t b i t te r n e s s i s p r e s e nt i n m a ny o f o u r f avo r i te f o o d s i n c l u d i n g c h o c o l ate, c o f f e e, wine and barrel-aged spirits.

W h a t d o e s t h e w o r d “ B i t t e r ” m e a n?

M e r r i a m - We b s te r d i c t i o n a r y d ef i n e s t h e w o r d b i t te r (w h e n u s e d a s a n a d j e c t i ve) a s: b e i n g , i n d u c i n g , o r m a r ke d by t h e o n e o f t h e f i ve b as i c tas te s e ns a t i o ns t h a t i s p e c u l i a r ly a c r i d , as t r i n g e n t , a n d o f te n d i s a g r e ea b l e a n d c h a r a c te r i s t i c o f c i t r us p e e l s , u ns we e te n e d c o c o a , b l a c k c o f f e e, m a tu r e l ea f y g r e e ns (s u c h as ka l e o r m us ta r d ), o r a l e. T h e o r i g i n o f t h e w o r d g o e s b a c k t o M i d d l e En g l i s h, f r o m O l d En g l i s h b i te r, g o i n g b a c k t o G e r m a n i c *b i t r a (w h e n c e O l d S a xo n & O l d H i g h G e r m a n b i t t a r “ a c r i d - t a s t i n g,” O l d N o r s e b i t r “ b i t i n g, s h a r p” ) a n d *b a i t r a - (w h e n c e G ot h i c b a i t r s “ s h a r p - t a s t i n g ” ), d e r i vat i ve s f r o m t h e b a s e o f *b ī ta n - “ t o b i te.”

H o w D o e s “ B i t t e r ” A c t u a l l y Ta s t e?

B i t te r n e s s i s n e i t h e r s a l t y n o r s o u r, b u t m ay at t i m e s a c c o m p a ny t h e s e f l avo r s e n s at i o n s .

M a ny p e o p l e a r e i n n a te l y o p p o s e d t o b i t te r f l avo r s , b u t a l i k i n g f o r i t c a n a n d i s a c q u i r e d.

C o m p o u n d s t h a t h ave a n a l k a l i n e p H , s u c h a s b a k i n g s o d a , o f te n h ave a b i t te r f l avo r.

S c i e nt i f i c r e s e a r c h h a s f o u n d t h a t s o m e h u m a n s a r e m o r e s e n s i t i ve t o b i t te r f l avo r s t h a n ot h e r s .1 T h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s a r e r ef e r r e d t o a s “ s u p e r t a s te r s” a n d a r e o f te n o f A s i a n, A f r i c a n, o r S o u t h A m e r i c a n d e s c e nt .

B e i n g a s u p e r t a s te r m ay ex p l a i n w hy s o m e i n d i v i d u a l s f i n d t h e f l avo r o f ve g et a b l e s h i g h l y d i s a g r e e a b l e. M o s t ve g et a b l e s c o nt a i n a t l e a s t s o m e b i t te r n e s s , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n r aw.

B i t t e r Fo o d s D a r k , l e a f y g r e e n s a r e we l l k n o w n f o r t h e i r b i t te r f l avo r. G r e e n l e a f y ve g et a b l e s o f te n i n c r e a s e i n b i t te r n e s s a s t h ey m a t u r e. Fo r t h i s r e a s o n, m a ny p e o p l e p r ef e r te n d e r yo u n g g r e e n s t o t h e i r m o r e m a t u r e - a n d b i t te rc o u nte r p a r t s . B i t te r g r e e n ve g et a b l e s i n c l u d e k a l e, d a n d e l i o n g r e e n s a n d b r o c c o l i.

C o c o a i s a n ot h e r f o o d t h a t i s e n j oye d f o r i t s b i t te r f l avo r. P u r e c o c o a h a s a d i s t i n c t b i t te r n e s s , w h i c h c a n b e u s e d t o b a l a n c e f l avo r s l i ke s we et o r s p i c y i n o t h e r f o o d s .

A d d i n g s u g a r a n d c r e a m t o c o c o a s i g n i f i c a nt l y r e d u c e s i t s b i t te r n e s s , m a k i n g i t m o r e p a l at a b l e.

L i kew i s e, b l a c k c o f f e e c a n b e q u i te b i t te r.

Although sugar and cream can be added to r e d u c e t h e b i t te r n e s s , m a ny g r o w t o e n j oy t h e s h a r p f l avo r o f b l a c k c o f f e e. T h e t y p e o f b e a n a n d t h e u n i q u e r o a s t i n g m et h o d w i l l a l s o i m p a c t c o f f e e’s l eve l o f b i t te r n e s s .

C i t r u s p e e l s a r e we l l k n o w n f o r i t s b i t te r n e s s , m o s t o f w h i c h r e s i d e s i n t h e w h i te p i t h. A s w i t h m o s t b i t te r f l avo r s , i t c a n b e u n d e s i r a b l e o n i t s o w n, b u t w h e n c o m b i n e d w i t h ot h e r f l avo r e l e m e nt s , i t c a n p r ov i d e d i m e n s i o n a n d b a l a n c e. O t h e r f r u i t s a n d ve g et a b l e s t h at m ay p r ov i d e b i t te r f l avo r s m ay i n c l u d e g r a p ef r u i t , b i t te r m e l o n, m u s t a r d g r e e n s , a n d o l i ve s .

B eve r a g e s s u c h a s t o n i c wate r, b i t te r s , a n d m ate te a a r e a l l a l s o c o n s i d e r e d b i t te r. B ef o r e s hy i n g away f r o m b i t te r i n g r e d i e nt s i n t h e f u t u r e, ex p l o r e h o w t h ey c a n b e c o m b i n e d w i t h c o m p l i m e nt a r y t a s te s t o b u i l d a c o m p l ex a n d e n j oya b l e f l avo r p r o f i l e.

J o i n u s , a s we ex p l o r e t h e w o n d e r f u l w o r l d o f B i t te r a n d B i t te r n e s s!

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 3 5

Until The

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END Featured Ingredient: Clove Scientific Name: Syzygium aromaticum C l ove i s a t r o p i c a l eve r g r e e n t r e e of t h e f a m i ly M y r t ac e ae a n d i t s s m a ll r e d di s h b r ow n f l owe r b u ds a r e us e d as a s p i c e.

C l ove s we r e i m p o r t a nt i n t h e e a r li e st s p i c e t r ad e a n d a r e b e li eve d to b e i n di g e n o us to t h e M o lu c c as, o r S p i c e I s l a n ds, of I n d o n e s i a. S t r o n g of a r o m a a n d h ot a n d p un g e nt i n t aste, c l ove s a r e us e d to f l avo ur m a ny f o o ds, p a r t i c ul a r ly m e at s a n d bake r y p r o du c t s; i n Eur o p e a n d t h e U ni te d S t ate s t h e s p i c e i s a c h a r ac te r i st i c f l avo ur i n g i n C h r i st m as h o li day f a r e, su c h as was s ai l a n d m i n c e m e at . I t i s o n e of t h e f i ve dr i e d s p i c e s — i n c lu di n g fe nn e l, c as s i a, st a r a ni s e, a n d S i c hu a n p e p p e r— t h at m ake up t h e f a m e d C hi n e s e f i ve - s p i c e p owd e r.

T h e b u ds of t h e c l ove t r e e c o nt ai n 14 to 2 0 p e r c e nt e s s e nt i a l o i l, t h e p r i n c i p a l c o m p o n e nt of w hi c h i s t h e a r o m at i c o i l e u g e n o l. C l ove s a r e st r o n g ly p un g e nt ow i n g to e u g e n o l, w hi c h i s ex t r ac te d by di st i ll at i o n to y i e l d o i l of c l ove s. T hi s o i l i s us e d to p r e p a r e m i c r o s c o p i c s li d e s f o r v i ew i n g a n d i s a l s o a l o c a l a n e st h et i c f o r to ot h ac h e s. Eu g e n o l i s us e d i n g e r m i c i d e s, p e r f um e s, a n d m o ut hwas h e s, i n t h e sy nt h e s i s of va ni lli n, a n d as a swe ete n e r o r i nte ns i f i e r.

(S o u r c e s: B r i t a n n i c a .c o m a n d W i k i p e d i a .c o m)

D i d Yo u K n ow T h a t . . .

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C l ove s c o nt ai n a l ot of m a n g a n e s e, a m i n e r a l t h at h e lp s yo ur b o dy m a n a g e t h e e nz y m e s t h at h e lp r e p ai r yo ur

Got Rum R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 3 6

b o n e s a n d m ake h o r m o n e s. M a n g a n e s e c a n a l s o ac t as a n a nt i ox i da nt t h at p r ote c t s yo ur b o dy f r o m h a r mf ul f r e e r adi c a l s.

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T h ey ’r e a g r e at s o ur c e of b et a c a r ote n e, w hi c h h e lp s g i ve c l ove s t h e i r r i c h b r ow n c o l o r. C a r ote n e s, a f a m i ly of p i g m e nt s, ac t as i m p o r t a nt a nt i ox i da nt s a n d p r ov i t a m i ns. C a r ote n e p i g m e nt s c a n c o nve r t i nto v i t a m i n A , a n i m p o r t a nt nut r i e nt f o r ke e p i n g yo ur eye s h e a lt hy.

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S o m e st u di e s s h ow t h at c l ove s m ay h e lp p r ote c t yo ur sto m ac h f r o m ul c e r s.

M o st ul c e r s a r e c aus e d by t hi nni n g of t h e l aye r s of mu c us t h at p r ote c t yo ur sto m ac h li ni n g. E a r ly r e s e a r c h s h ow s t h at e at i n g c l ove s i n l a r g e a m o unt s c a n t hi c ke n t hi s mu c us, l owe r i n g yo ur r i s k of g et t i n g ul c e r s a n d h e lp i n g to h e a l ul c e r s t h at yo u a lr e ady h ave.

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T h r o u g h o ut hi sto r y, p e o p l e h ave us e d c l ove o i l to s o ot h e to ot h ac h e s. S o m e c o s m et i c s a n d m e di c i n e s us e e u g e n o l f o r i t s a nt i bac te r i a l, a nt i f un g a l, a n d a nt i v i r a l a b i li t i e s.

(S o u r c e: ht t p s: // w w w.we b m d.c o m)

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 3 7

Until The

B IT TER

END Featured Bitters Recipe: Easy Negroni Booster I n t h e p r ev i o us i nst a llm e nt s of t hi s s e r i e s, we ex p l o r e d c o m p l ex , mult i - i n g r e di e nt b i t te r r e c i p e s, w hi c h t ake a l o n g t i m e to p r e p a r e b ef o r e t h ey c a n b e e nj oye d. We a r e c l o s i n g t hi s s e r i e s w i t h a ve r y s i m p l e, e asy to c r e ate b i t te r b o o ste r t h at yo u c a n c a r r y w i t h yo u at a ll t i m e s. A n d, w hi l e i t wo r ks p e r fe c t ly w i t h a N e g r o ni, i t i s a l s o ve r s at i l e e n o u g h to b e us e d i n m a ny ot h e r dr i nks.

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3 oz. G e nt i a n T i n c t ur e

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1 oz. O r a n g e Pe e l T i n c t ur e

D i r e c t i o n s: 1. Ad d i n g r e di e nt s to a l a r g e b ow l o r b ot t l e a n d t h o r o u g h ly c o m b i n e t h e m by st i r r i n g o r s h ak i n g.

2. Tr a ns fe r t h e m i x t ur e i nto a da r k (a m b e r, r e d o r b lu e) g l as s b ot t l e w i t h a dr o p p e r c a p.

3. E x p e r i m e nt w i t h di f fe r e nt d o s a g e s o n yo ur N e g r o ni, to sui t yo ur t aste.

4. I t c a n a l s o b e ad d e d to p l ai n wate r o r to h ot h e r ba l te as to ad d a d e e p e r, b i t te r a n d a r o m at i c di m e ns i o n.

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 3 8

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 3 9

R u m i n t h e n ew s

by M ike Kun et ka

R E N EGA D E R U M

T h e s e a r e t h e m o s t r e c e nt a n d n o tew o r t hy h e a d l i n e s i n t h e r u m i n d u s t r y. I f yo u wa nt u s t o s h a r e yo u r n ew s w i t h o u r r e a d e r s , p l e a s e s e n d m e a n e m a i l t o: M i ke @ g o t r u m .c o m.

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 4 0

Re n e g a d e R u m h a s i n t r o d u c e d a n e w r a n g e o f a g e d and unaged natural rums that showcase its pioneering methodology to the United States. Since launching l a s t s u m m e r, Re n e g a d e R u m s o u g h t t o ex p l o r e t h e e f f e c t t e r r o i r, c a n e va r i e t y a n d d i s t i l l a t i o n s t y l e h a s o n t h e n a t u r a l f l avo r s o f r u m . T h e f l a g s h i p r a n g e b r i n g s t h e f i r s t C u vé e C o n c e p t s t o R e n e g a d e R u m w i t h t w o a g e d o f f e r i n g s o f A l l - I s l a n d C u vé e: N ova a n d S i n g l e Fa r m C u vé e: D u n f e r m l i n e a n d t h e o n e u n a g e d o f f e r i n g w i t h C u vé e: A u r a . T h e A l l - I s l a n d C u vé e: N ova i s c o n s i d e r e d t h e u l t i m a t e a g e d Re n e g a d e R u m b o t t l i n g o f t h e g r e a t e s t a s s e m b l a g e o f S i n g l e Fa r m O r i g i n r u m s w h e r e C u vé e: A u r a i s a n a s s e m b l a g e o f P r e - C a s k S i n g l e Fa r m O r i g i n r u m s . T h e S i n g l e Fa r m C u vé e: D u n f e r m l i n e c o n t a i n s a n a s s e m b l a g e o f t h e D u n f e r m l i n e S i n g l e Fa r m O r i g i n’s c o m p o n e n t t e r r o i r s i n t o a c u vé e r u m . A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e M i c r O r i g i n: H o p e f o c u s e s o n f l avo r d e r i ve d f r o m n o t j u s t a n i s l a n d , n o r a farm, but an actual f ield within a singular Renegade R u m b u i l d i n g b l o c k . Re n e g a d e R u m i s a r a d i c a l n e w distilling project that brings wine inspiration and w h i s k y p r a c t i c e s t o t h e r u m i n d u s t r y. W i t h u n r i va l e d t r a n s p a r e n c y, t h e d i s t i l l e r y h a r ve s t s , m i l l s a n d distills fresh sugar cane only — no molasses — from i n d i v i d u a l f a r m s , o n e t e r r o i r, o n e f i e l d , a t a t i m e,

u s i n g t h e i n n ova t i ve d i s t i l l i n g t e c h n i q u e s g l e a n e d f r o m f o u n d e r M a r k Rey n i e r ’s ex p e r i e n c e i n t h e w h i s k y i n d u s t r y. T h r e e o f t h e s e n e w u n i q u e r u m s a r e a g e d entirely in Grenada in a mixture of super premium Fr e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n o a k . h t t p s: //r e n e g a d e r u m .c o m / W O R TH PA R K E STAT E A t t h e r e c e n t J a m a i c a Fo o d a n d D r i n k Fe s t i va l , Wo r t hy Pa r k u nve i l e d Wo r t hy Pa r k O ve r p r o o f. C r a i g N i c h o l s o n , S e n i o r B l e n d e r a t Wo r t hy Pa r k t o l d t h e J a m a i c a O b s e r ve r “ Wo r t hy Pa r k O ve r p r o o f i s p a r t i a l l y d e r i ve d f r o m c a n e j u i c e, w h e r e t h i s l i g h t e r r u m i s skillfully blended with our molasses-based rums to a c h i eve a c r i s p e r, m o r e r e f i n e d t a s t e,” h e r eve a l e d. “ W i t h a n i m p r e s s i ve 6 3 p e r c e nt a l c o h o l c o nt e n t , i t r e t a i n s i t s s t r e n g t h w h i l e o f f e r i n g a d e l i g h t f u l h o n ey sweetness, making it a more approachable choice w h e n c o m p a r e d t o o t h e r w h i t e ove r p r o o f r u m s o n t h e m a r ke t , w h i c h o f t e n b o a s t b o l d a n d ove r p o we r i n g f l avo r p r o f i l e s .” Ta m i k a We s t , M a r ket i n g M a n a g e r a t Wo r t hy Pa r k E s t a t e a d d e d “ T h e r e i s s o m u c h more of a focus in the global rum community about identif ying not only where rum is produced but where a r e t h e r a w m a t e r i a l s t h a t m a ke t h e r u m f r o m ,” We s t c o n t i n u e d. “ T h e b e n e f i t o f b e i n g a c o m p a ny t h a t h a s a d i s t i l l e r y, s u g a r f a c t o r y, a n d c a n e f i e l d s i s t h a t w e c a n b e ve r y g e n u i n e a n d a u t h e nt i c i n c r e a t i n g a r u m f r o m g r a s s t o g l a s s . T h e r e c e nt d e m a n d f o r r u m s m a d e f r o m c a n e j u i c e, w h i c h i s m o r e c o m m o n i n t h e Fr e n c h i s l a n d s , w a s a l s o a r e a s o n w hy we t h o u g h t i t c o u l d b e i n t e r e s t i n g t o i nt r o d u c e a r u m m a d e u s i n g J a m a i c a n c a n e j u i c e f o r f e r m e nt a t i o n .” W i t h a h i s t o r y s p a n n i n g 3 5 0 ye a r s s i n c e b e i n g e s t a b l i s h e d i n 16 70 , t h e i s l a n d ’s o l d e s t d i s t i l l e r y, f a m i l y - r u n Wo r t hy Pa r k E s t a t e u s e s t h e p o t - s t i l l m et h o d t o p r o d u c e a h e av y b o d i e d r u m , c r a f t i n g exq u i s i t e s p i r i t s t o b e c o m e a f avo r i t e b o t h l o c a l l y a n d o n t h e i nt e r n a t i o n a l m a r ke t , w i n n i n g m u l t i p l e a w a r d s eve r y ye a r f o r t h e p a s t d e c a d e. h t t p s: // w o r t hy p a r ke s t a t e.c o m / M OUNT GAY L a s t m o nt h , M o u n t G ay ’s f i r s t S i n g l e E s t a t e r e l e a s e g a t h e r e d a g r e a t d e a l o f a t t e nt i o n . D u r i n g t h i s s a m e t i m e, a n o t h e r M o u n t G ay p r o d u c t q u i et l y s n u c k o n t o t h e m a r ket , Ec l i p s e N av y S t r e n g t h . I c o u l d n o t f i n d a great deal of information on this new rum, but it a p p e a r s t o b e t h e s a m e b l e n d o f Po t a n d C o l u m n S t i l l r u m s , a g e d i n A m e r i c a n ex- w h i s key b a r r e l b u t p r o o f e d t o a h i g h e r 5 7.1% A BV. S o m e o n l i n e s t o r e s a r e a l r e a d y o f f e r i n g i t a n d s e e m s l i ke i t i s ve r y a f f o r d a b l e. M o u n t G ay a l s o o f f e r s a h i g h e r p r o o f ve r s i o n o f t h e i r B l a c k B a r r e l r u m , b u t i t i s o n l y ava i l a b l e a t t h e d i s t i l l e r y. H o p e f u l l y, Ec l i p s e N av y Strength will be successful and that will encourage M o u n t G ay t o r e l e a s e t h e s t r o n g e r B l a c k B a r r e l t o f u l l distribution. h t t p s: // w w w. m o u nt g ay r u m .c o m / ROLLING STON E S C ROSSFI R E HU R R I CAN E R U M T h e R o l l i n g S t o n e s , et e r n a l sy m b o l s o f m u s i c a l p r o w e s s , a r e s e t t o m a ke h i s t o r y o n c e a g a i n . T h e

l e g e n d a r y b a n d i s i n t r o d u c i n g t h e i r ve r y o w n s i g n a t u r e r u m , C r o s s f i r e H u r r i c a n e, i n s p i r e d by t h e o p e n i n g l y r i c o f t h e i r h i t s o n g “J u m p i n’ J a c k F l a s h .” Ava i l a b l e t o d ay a t c r o s s f i r e h u r r i c a n e.c o m , t h i s m o n u m e nt a l e n d e avo r comes on the heels of their global album launch i n T i m e s S q u a r e, w h e r e t h ey a n n o u n c e d ‘ H a c k n ey D i a m o n d s ,’ t h e i r f i r s t s t u d i o a l b u m i n 18 ye a r s , t o critical acclaim. The Rolling Stones said of the new ve n t u r e, “ We’r e ve r y exc i t e d t o b e t e a m i n g u p w i t h U n i ve r s a l M u s i c G r o u p a n d S o c i o Ve n t u r e s t o c r e a t e o u r f i r s t eve r p r e m i u m s p i r i t s b r a n d a n d l o o k f o r w a r d t o s h a r i n g i t w i t h t h e w o r l d.” “ T h e R o l l i n g S t o n e s c o n t i n u e t o h ave a n i n c r e d i b l e impact on popular culture with the ability to reach f a n s a c r o s s m u l t i p l e g e n e r a t i o n s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d. We a r e exc i t e d a n d p r o u d t o a n n o u n c e t h i s n e w ve n t u r e w i t h t h e m t h a t w i l l f u r t h e r ex p a n d a n d b u i l d u p o n t h e i r i c o n i c b r a n d ,” s a i d B oyd M u i r, E xe c u t i ve V i c e President, Chief Financial Of f icer and President of O p e r a t i o n s , U n i ve r s a l M u s i c G r o u p. T h e S t o n e s’ l ove a f f a i r w i t h r u m b e g a n i n t h e ‘ 70 s w h i l e r e c o r d i n g t h e i r a l b u m “ G o a t s H e a d S o u p” i n K i n g s t o n , J a m a i c a . T h e C a r i b b e a n’s b o i s t e r o u s e n e r g y a n d m u s i c t o o k h o l d o f t h e g r o u p ove r t h e d e c a d e s a n d M i c k J a g g e r a n d Ke i t h R i c h a r d s o f t e n l o c a t e t h e m s e l ve s o n t h e i s l a n d s w h e n t h e b a n d i s o f f t h e r o a d. R o o t e d i n r o c k & r o l l , t h e rum encapsulates the edgy and timeless spirit of the b a n d. T h e w e b s i t e s t a t e s: t h i s t h o u g h t f u l C a r i b b e a n blend incorporates rums from Jamaica, Barbados, a n d t h e D o m i n i c a n Re p u b l i c t h a t a r e p e r f e c t l y a g e d in carefully selected oak barrels. “Owning a business with The Rolling Stones is absolutely electrif ying. It is an absolute privilege to create this product alongside s o m e o f t h e g r e a t e s t a r t i s t s o f o u r t i m e. T h e b a n d ’s vision and enthusiasm for Crossf ire Hurricane set us a p a r t a n d p o s i t i o n u s t o r e d e f i n e t h e r u m c a t e g o r y.

A n d yo u’r e a l l i nv i t e d t o t h e s h o w,” s a i d J o h n F i n c h e r, S o c i o Ve n t u r e s Pa r t n e r a n d C r o s s f i r e H u r r i c a n e C o f o u n d e r. h t t p s: // w w w.c r o s s f i r e h u r r i c a n e.c o m / PLANTATION R U M E a r l i e r i n t h e ye a r, P l a n t a t i o n a n n o u n c e d t h e f i f t h e d i t i o n i n i t s P l a n t a t i o n E x t r ê m e C o l l e c t i o n . T h i s ye a r t h e s e r i e s f e a t u r e t h r e e r u m s f r o m t h e We s t I n d i e s R u m D i s t i l l e r y i n B a r b a d o s . T h ey a r e r e p r e s e n t a t i ve o f t h e d i ve r s i t y o f WIRD ’s r u m s a n d p r o d u c t i o n m e t h o d s . WIRD p r o d u c e s s p i r i t s i n h i s t o r i c p o t a n d c o l u m n s t i l l s . I t t a ke s t r u l y ex p e r t d i s t i l l e r s t o m a ke t h e s e c o m p l ex i n s t r u m e n t s s i n g . D i s t i l l e r H e n d e r s o n “ D i g g e r ” S k i n n e r h a s b e e n w i t h t h e d i s t i l l e r y f o r ove r 4 0 ye a r s; M a s t e r D i s t i l l e r D o n B e n n i s d e d i c a t e d t o B a r b a d o s’ r u m h e r i t a g e, a s w e l l a s r e d u c i n g WIRD ’s c a r b o n f o o t p r i nt , a n d A n d r e w H a s s e l l , M a n a g i n g Director and rum historian, safeguards the historical a r c h i ve s c a r e f u l l y. T h e t h r e e r e l e a s e s d o n o t u s e c a r a m e l c o l o r i n g o r a d o s a g e.

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B A R B A DOS WIRD 14 Y E A RS OLD 2 0 07 i s m a d e from a molasses wash that is fermented for 3 to 4 d ay s a n d t h e n d i s t i l l e d o n a G r e g g p o t s t i l l a n d a column still. It has been aged in the tropics for 2 ye a r s i n 2 0 0 L B o u r b o n b a r r e l s b e f o r e b e i n g m ove d t o S o u t h w e s t Fr a n c e. T h e r e i t w a s a g e d f o r 10 ye a r s a n d t h e n t r a n s f e r r e d t o 3 5 0 L Fe r r a n d

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 4 1

C o g n a c b a r r e l s f o r a n a d d i t i o n a l 2 ye a r s . 5 8 . 0 % A BV •

B A R B A DOS WIRD 21 Y E A RS OLD 2 0 0 0 a l s o star ts with a molasses wash that is fermented f o r 3 - 4 d ay s . T h e s e l o w w i n e s a r e d i s t i l l e d o n a Vu l c a n C h a m b e r S t i l l , a G r e g g Po t s t i l l a n d a c o l u m n s t i l l. I n i t i a l a g i n g w a s i n t h e t r o p i c s i n 2 0 0 L B o u r b o n b a r r e l s f o r 5 ye a r s . L i ke m o s t o f P l a n t a t i o n’s r u m s , i t w a s t h e n s h i p p e d t o Fr a n c e w h e r e i t r e s t e d f o r a n o t h e r 14 ye a r s b e f o r e b e i n g t r a n s f e r r e d t o 3 5 0 Fe r r a n d c a s k s f o r 2 ye a r s . 47. 8% A BV

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B A R B A DOS WIRD 3 5 Y E A RS OLD 19 8 6 s t a r t s with the same raw materials and fermentation. It w a s d i s t i l l e d o n t h e G r e g g Po t S t i l l a n d a d i r e c t f l a m e s t i l l f r o m t h e 19 t h c e nt u r y. A g i n g s t a r t s w i t h 13 ye a r s i n 2 0 0 L b a r r e l s i n t h e t r o p i c s .

T h e n t h e r u m w a s m ove d t o Fr a n c e a n d a g e d a n o t h e r 21 ye a r s a n d t h e n f i n i s h e d i n 3 5 0 L c o g n a c b a r r e l s f o r 1 ye a r s . 5 5 .1% A BV h t t p s: // w w w. p l a nt a t i o n r u m .c o m / B ACA R D I B a c a r d i c e l e b r a t e d i t s d e b u t o n t h e Wo r l d ’s B e s t Wo r k p l a c e s™ i n 2 0 2 3 l i s t p r e s e nt e d by G r e a t P l a c e To Wo r k ® a n d Fo r t u n e m a g a z i n e, c o m i n g i n a t # 18 . G l o b a l l e a d e r s we r e s e l e c t e d f r o m o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t p a r t i c i p a t e d i n G r e a t P l a c e To Wo r k ’s e m p l oye e s u r vey p r o c e s s , r e p r e s e nt i n g t h e vo i c e s o f 14. 8 m i l l i o n e m p l oye e s w o r l d w i d e. T h e 2 5 Wo r l d ’s B e s t Wo r k p l a c e s s t o o d o u t f o r c r e a t i n g g l o b a l l y exc e p t i o n a l e m p l oye e ex p e r i e n c e s , h i g h trust relationships, and workplaces that are fair a n d e q u a l f o r a l l. “A s a f a m i l y - o w n e d b u s i n e s s f o r s eve n g e n e r a t i o n s , we h ave a l e g a c y o f b e i n g Fe a r l e s s , r e s p e c t i n g e a c h o t h e r l i ke Fa m i l y, a n d l e a d i n g w i t h a Fo u n d e r s m e nt a l i t y. We a r e s o p r o u d f o r o t h e r s t o r e c o g n i ze w h a t we k n o w s o w e l l , t h a t Bacardi is a special place and our culture is our s u p e r p o we r ” s a i d S c o t t N o r t h c u t t , SV P G l o b a l H u m a n Re s o u r c e s . M o r e t h a n 9, 0 0 0 p e o p l e m a ke u p t h e B a c a r d i g l o b a l w o r k f o r c e a n d a t w o r k t h ey a r e r e f e r r e d t o a s P r i m o s , n o t e m p l oye e s . P r i m o s , which means cousins in Spanish, is a nod to the Latin heritage and family business that is par t of t h e c o m p a ny ’s DN A . M i c h a e l C . B u s h , C EO o f G r e a t P l a c e To Wo r k a d d e d “ B e i n g a g l o b a l e m p l oye r comes with immense responsibility to people and t o t h e p l a n e t . T h e s e ex t r a o r d i n a r y c o m p a n i e s a r e h av i n g a n i n c r e d i b l e i m p a c t , s u p p o r t i n g t h e i r p e o p l e, a n d f i g h t i n g f o r a f a i r e r, s a f e r, a n d h e a l t h i e r c o m m u n i t i e s a r o u n d t h e g l o b e. W h e n yo u e m p o w e r p e o p l e t o w o r k w i t h p u r p o s e, t h ey r e w a r d yo u w i t h i n n ova t i o n a n d p e r f o r m a n c e a n d h e l p c r e a t e a b e t t e r w o r l d f o r a l l o f u s .” B a c a r d i L i m i t e d, t h e w o r l d ’s l a r g e s t p r i va t e l y h e l d i nt e r n a t i o n a l s p i r i t s c o m p a ny, p r o d u c e s , m a r ket s , a n d d i s t r i b u t e s s p i r i t s a n d w i n e s . G r e a t P l a c e To Wo r k i s t h e g l o b a l a u t h o r i t y o n w o r k p l a c e c u l t u r e. S i n c e 19 9 2 , i t h a s s u r veye d m o r e t h a n 10 0 m i l l i o n e m p l oye e s w o r l d w i d e a n d u s e d t h o s e d e e p i n s i g h t s t o d e f i n e w h a t m a ke s a g r e a t w o r k p l a c e: t r u s t . I t s e m p l oye e s u r vey p l a t f o r m e m p o we r s l e a d e r s w i t h t h e f e e d b a c k , r e a l - t i m e

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 4 2

r e p o r t i n g , a n d i n s i g h t s t h ey n e e d t o m a ke d a t a d r i ve n p e o p l e d e c i s i o n s . h t t p: // w w w. b a c a r d i l i m i t e d.c o m , h t t p s: // w w w.g r e a t p l a c et o w o r k .c o m / LOST S P I R ITS B r ya n D av i s a n n o u n c e d t h e r e l e a s e o f J a p o n i s m e, a h e av y - p o t - s t i l l r u m (o f t e n r e f e r r e d t o a s E n g l i s h s t y l e) f e r m e n t e d a n d d i s t i l l e d f r o m 10 0 % Ko k u t o s u g a r. Ko k u t o i s a p r i z e d c u l i n a r y i n g r e d i e n t t h a t h a s b e e n m a d e i n O k i n a w a s i n c e t h e 17t h c e n t u r y. U n l i ke r e f i n e d s u g a r, Ko k u t o i s m a d e by dr ying boiled sugarcane juice into brownish-black b r i c k s . D av i s b e l i eve s t h a t J a p o n i s m e t h e o n l y r u m p r o d u c e d f r o m Ko k u t o i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d p o s s i b l y t h e o n l y r u m m a d e f r o m t h i s ve r y s p e c i a l i n g r e d i e n t o u t s i d e J a p a n . Po s t d i s t i l l a t i o n , the rum was matured using toasted and charred American oak utilizing the aging technique Lost S p i r i t s D i s t i l l e r y p a t e n t e d i n 2 015 . I nve n t o r (a n d L o s t S p i r i t s’ C o - f o u n d e r) B r ya n D av i s w a s t h e f i r s t p e r s o n t o p r ove (u s i n g G C MS) t h a t i t w a s p o s s i b l e t o m a t u r e spirits in a laborator y setting using a combination of h e a t a n d h i g h - i n t e n s i t y l i g h t . T h e C o m p a ny c u r r e n t l y holds a por t folio of granted patents around the word f o r i t s m a t u r a t i o n p r o c e s s . D av i s s t a t e d , “ We h ave b e e n w o r k i n g o n t h i s p r o j e c t f o r ove r a ye a r a n d I ’m delighted to taste the results. It was a rewarding ex p e r i e n c e f o r a l l o f u s a t L o s t S p i r i t s t o g e t b a c k t o o u r r o o t s .” h t t p s: // w w w. l o s t s p i r i t s . n et / B R UGAL Brugal is proud to commemorate a remarkable m i l e s t o n e, 13 5 ye a r s o f u n w ave r i n g d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e a r t o f r u m m a s t e r y. S i n c e i t s i n c e p t i o n i n 18 8 8 by t h e l e g e n d a r y f o u n d e r, D o n A n d r é s B r u g a l , B r u g a l has been craf ting elegant, aromatic, and smooth D o m i n i c a n r u m s t h a t h ave b e c o m e sy n o ny m o u s w i t h exc e l l e n c e a n d i n n ova t i o n . T h r o u g h f i ve g e n e r a t i o n s , the Brugal family has upheld the tradition of rum m a s t e r y. E a c h M a e s t r o R o n e r o h a s p l aye d a n i n d i s p e n s a b l e r o l e i n c a r r y i n g f o r w a r d t h e b r a n d ’s l e g a c y, e n s u r i n g t h a t t h e q u a l i t y a n d i n n ova t i o n t h a t d e f i n e B r u g a l r e m a i n u n p a r a l l e l e d. T h e b r a n d ’s i n n ova t i ve t e c h n i q u e s , i n c l u d i n g t h e s i g n a t u r e d o u b l e a g i n g a n d t h e p i o n e e r i n g A r o m a t i c C a s k To a s t i n g , h ave s e t n e w s t a n d a r d s i n t h e w o r l d o f p r e m i u m r u m . To d ay, B r u g a l i s l e d by f i f t h g e n e r a t i o n M a e s t r a R o n e r a , J a s s i l V i l l a n u eva Q u i n t a n a , B r u g a l ’s f i r s t f e m a l e a n d t h e i n d u s t r y ’s yo u n g e s t r u m m a s t e r, a s w e l l a s M i g u e l R i p o l l C a s t e l l a n o s , a n d G u s t avo O r t e g a Z e l l e r. I n h o n o r o f B r u g a l ’s 13 5 t h ye a r, t h e b r a n d h o s t e d a s p e c i a l a n n i ve r s a r y e d i t i o n o f “ Wo n d e r s Aw a i t a t L a C a s a B r u g a l ” l a s t m o n t h i n M i a m i . S h o wc a s i n g t h e i r r a n g e o f r e l e a s e s , B r u g a l delighted guests throughout the night with a look i n t o t h e b r a n d ’s h i s t o r y, f o l l o w e d by d e l i g h t f u l B r u g a l 18 8 8 E s p r e s s o M a r t i n i s , a m a ke - yo u r- o w n B r u g a l 18 8 8 O l d Fa s h i o n e d B a r, a n d t y p e - w r i t t e n l i ve p o e t r y. w w w. b r u g a l - r u m .c o m .

W E ST IN D I E S R U M D ISTILL E RY T h e We s t I n d i e s R u m D i s t i l l e r y ( WIRD) r e c e nt l y c e l e b r a t e d i t s r e m a r k a b l e 13 0 t h a n n i ve r s a r y, b l e n d i n g h i s t o r y, m u s i c , f a m i l y, a r t a n d t h e i nt r o d u c t i o n o f a s p e c i a l a n n i ve r s a r y r u m i nt o a m e m o r a b l e eve nt . T h e c e l e b r a t i o n k i c ke d o f f w i t h a g u i d e d t o u r l e d by t h e WIRD t e a m , w h e r e g u e s t s h a d t h e c h a n c e t o v i e w t h e w o r l d ’s o l d e s t r u m p o t s t i l l , t h e R o c k l ey, d a t i n g b a c k t o t h e 178 0 s a n d c o n s i d e r e d a c h e r i s h e d p a r t o f B a r b a d o s’ h e r i t a g e. A t t e n d e e s we r e e n c o u r a g e d t o ex p l o r e t h e h i s t o r i c B o n d N o. 8 b a r r e l h o u s e, which ended with a rare oppor tunity for a rum tasting d i r e c t l y f r o m t h e c a s k o f t h e r e n o w n e d Vu l c a n s t i l l , a n ex p e r i e n c e u s u a l l y r e s t r i c t e d f r o m p u b l i c a c c e s s .

During his presentation, Andrew Hassell, Managing D i r e c t o r o f WIRD, s h a r e d i nt r i g u i n g h i s t o r i c a l i n s i g h t s f r o m t h e d i s t i l l e r y ’s t r e a s u r e t r ove o f a r c h i ve s w i t h i n t h e D i s t i l l e r ’s Va u l t . M r. H a s s e l l ’s p a s s i o n f o r t h e rich histor y of rums and Barbadian heritage shined t h r o u g h a s h e r e c o u nt e d t h e e p i c j o u r n ey o f WIRD a n d i t s 13 0 - ye a r- o l d m i s s i o n t o c r a f t “ t h e w o r l d ’s b e s t B a r b a d i a n r u m .” To c o m m e m o r a t e t h i s m o m e nt o u s o c c a s i o n , WIRD c r e a t e d a o n e - o f - a - k i n d 13 0 t h A n n i ve r s a r y L i m i t e d Ed i t i o n S t a d e’s R u m . T h i s r u m is a blend created from the most rare distillation apparatus that the distiller y is for tunate to possess, i n c l u d i n g t h e Vu l c a n , G r e g g Fa r m a n d J o h n D o r e Fr a n k l y n s t i l l s . O n l y 13 0 c a s e s o f t h i s s p e c i a l e d i t i o n w i l l b e ava i l a b l e i n B a r b a d o s exc l u s i ve l y t h r o u g h S t a n s f e l d S c o t t a n d a t t h e s o o n - t o - o p e n S t a d e’s V i s i t o r C e n t e r. S t a d e’s R u m 13 0 t h A n n i ve r s a r y L i m i t e d Ed i t i o n i s b o t t l e d a t 4 6 % A BV (9 2 p r o o f ). h t t p s: // w w w.f a c e b o o k .c o m /s t a d e s r u m / ?l o c a l e = h i _ IN C OLOU R S OF R U M T h e C o l o u r s o f R u m s e r i e s w a s b o r n t o s h o wc a s e t h e b e s t t h a t t h e r u m w o r l d h a s t o o f f e r. T h ey h ave created one of the largest premium rum collections t h a t ke e p s g et t i n g b i g g e r a n d m o r e d i ve r s e. S o f a r, t h ey h ave u n c ove r e d a n d b o t t l e d t r e a s u r e s f r o m B a r b a d o s , J a m a i c a , G u ya n a , Tr i n i d a d, G u a d e l o u p e a n d Fi j i . I ex p e c t t h a t M a r t i n i q u e c a n n o t b e f a r b e h i n d. T h e i r l a t e s t r e l e a s e s a r e: J a m a i c a B l e n d 2 0 0 8 , 14 ye a r s , J a m a i c a e d i t i o n N o.

B1 - A n e w exc i t i n g b l e n d o f f o u r J a m a i c a n r u m s: L o n g Po n d 2 0 0 5 Po t S t i l l , M o ny m u s k 2 0 07 Po t & C o l u m n S t i l l , N e w Ya r m o u t h 2 0 0 5 Po t S t i l l , Wo r t hy Pa r k 2 0 0 8 Po t S t i l l. 14 ye a r s o f c o nt i n e nt a l a g i n g i n a n ex- r u m c a s k a n d b o t t l e d a t 5 8 , 9 % A BV. T. D. L 2 0 0 9, 13 ye a r s , Tr i n i d a d e d i t i o n N o. 5 - T DL s t a n d s f o r Tr i n i d a d D i s t i l l e r s Lt d. a n d i t i s a c t u a l l y t h e c o m p a ny b e h i n d t h e A n g o s t u r a r u m b r a n d. T h i s C o l o u r s o f R u m ex p r e s s i o n w a s d i s t i l l e d i n a c o l u m n s t i l l a n d w a s a g e d i n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l s f o r 13 ye a r s , 10 ye a r s o f w h i c h we r e t r o p i c a l a g i n g , T h e r u m w a s b o t t l e d i n 2 0 2 3 a t 6 2 , 8% A BV. En m o r e 19 9 4, 2 9 ye a r s , G u ya n a e d i t i o n N o. 9 - T h e En m o r e s u g a r e s t a t e w a s e s t a b l i s h e d by Ed w a r d H e n r y Po r t e r i n t h e e a r l y 19 t h c e nt u r y. T h e d i s t i l l e r y was once the home of the famed wooden stills, c l o s e d i n 19 9 4 b e f o r e t h e e q u i p m e nt w a s m ove d t o DDL’s D i a m o n d d i s t i l l e r y w h e r e i t s i t s t o d ay. En m o r e n o. 9 w a s p r o d u c e d a t Ve r s a i l l e s S i n g l e Wo o d e n Po t

S t i l l ( REV ). T h i s ex p r e s s i o n h a s s p e n t 2 9 ye a r s i n a n ex- r u m c a s k a n d w a s b o t t l e d i n 2 0 2 3 a t 4 5 , 8% A BV. H a m p d e n 2 012 , 11 ye a r s , J a m a i c a e d i t i o n N o. 14 - A pot- distilled rum from Hampden distiller y in J a m a i c a . T h i s 11yo J a m a i c a n r u m w a s d i s t i l l e d i n 2 012 i n a p o t s t i l l , a n d m a t u r e d i n a n ex- b o u r b o n b a r r e l i n t h e t r o p i c s f o r 3 ye a r s b e f o r e b e i n g m ove d t o Eu r o p e. I t w a s b o t t l e d i n 2 0 2 3 a t a t 6 0 , 4% A BV. h t t p s: //c o l o u r s o f r u m .c o m / B E E NLIGH D ISTILL E RY B e e n l e i g h D i s t i l l e r y h a s u nve i l e d i t s D r a g o n Re l e a s e R u m , a l i m i t e d - e d i t i o n r u m c r a f t e d f r o m a selection of rum aged in barrel for up to eight ye a r s , a n d i n t r i b u t e t o 2 0 24 t h e Ye a r o f t h e D r a g o n .

M a s t e r- d i s t i l l e d i n T h e O l d C o p p e r, a d i s t i n c t i ve C o p p e r Po t S t i l l t h a t ’s s i g n a t u r e s h a p e a n d s t y l e i s k n o w n a s a Va t S t i l l , i s t h e o n l y o n e o f i t s k i n d i n Australia.

T h e exc l u s i ve l a u n c h c o m e s a s B e e n l e i g h D i s t i l l e r y triumphed at the Australian International Rum Aw a r d s , t h e p r e s t i g i o u s c o m p e t i t i o n t h a t ’s s o l e l y focused on rum and cane spirits from around the w o r l d. B e e n l e i g h’s D o u b l e C a s k R u m s c o r e d a n i m p r e s s i ve 9 4 p o i n t s , c l i n c h i n g t h e t r o p hy f o r b e s t Po t a n d C o l u m n S t i l l R u m i n a d d i t i o n t o w i n n i n g a D o u b l e G o l d m e d a l . “ We a r e h u m b l e d t o c o m p e t e and be recognized on the Global Stage once again.

This accolade at the Australian International Rum Aw a r d s u n d e r s c o r e s o u r c o m m i t m e n t t o exc e l l e n c e a n d i n n ova t i o n i n t h e w o r l d o f s p i r i t s ,” s ay s C h r i s Illman, Beenleigh Distiller y Head of Sales & M a r ket i n g . 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 / GOSLINGS G o s l i n g ’s i s c e l e b r a t i n g i t s f i f t h a n n u a l r e l e a s e o f Pa p a S e a l S i n g l e B a r r e l R u m a t t h e G o s l i n g ’s W i n e C e l l a r o n D e c e m b e r 2 n d. T h e c o m p a ny s a i d t h e “ f a t h e r o f a l l r u m s ” h a s a l w ay s b e e n r e l e a s e d i n l a t e N ove m b e r o r e a r l y D e c e m b e r, s e l l i n g o u t eve r y ye a r.

M a l c o l m G o s l i n g , p r e s i d e n t o f G o s l i n g ’s E x p o r t ( B e r m u d a) Lt d , s a i d: “ F i ve ye a r s a g o w e r e l e a s e d o u r f i r s t s i n g l e b a r r e l r u m o n a r a i ny Tu e s d ay i n e a r l y D e c e m b e r. We h a d n o i d e a h o w t h e p u b l i c would react but when we had a line outside of our store in the rain at 8.45am and completely sold out 45 minutes af ter opening, we knew our customers w e r e exc i t e d , t o s ay t h e l e a s t .” A n d r e w H o l m e s , B r a n d D i r e c t o r o f G o s l i n g s R u m , s a i d , “ Pa p a S e a l Single Barrel Rum is blended from pot and column d i s t i l l e d r u m s r a n g i n g b e t w e e n 10 a n d 21 ye a r s , aged in hand-selected once -used bourbon barrels, and married in American White Oak for an additional t w o ye a r s i n B e r m u d a’s h u m i d , s a l t y a i r. E a c h b a r r e l i s c a r e f u l l y l o o ke d a f t e r a n d r o l l e d a t l e a s t o n c e a week to ensure the liquid in constant contact with t h e w o o d. E a c h b o t t l e i s t h e n f i l l e d a n d l a b e l e d by h a n d a n d i n d i v i d u a l l y n u m b e r e d by G o s l i n g s M a s t e r B l e n d e r A l ex a n d e r H o l m e s . h t t p s: // w w w.g o s l i n g s r u m .c o m /

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

“GO t R U M?” T E A M INT E R V I E W

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

This issue is kindly d e d i c ate d to t h e b e st te a m of w r i te r s t h at Lu i s a n d I c o u l d h ave eve r h o p e d f o r : •

C r i s D e h l av i

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M a r c o Pi e r i n i

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M i ke Ku n e t k a

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Pa u l S e n f t

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Ph i l i p I l i B a r a ke

We a l s o wa nt to t h a n k t h e g r ow i n g c o m m u n i t y of “ G ot Ru m? ” r e a d e r s a r o u n d t h e wo r l d ... a b i g C HEERS to a l l of yo u!

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

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 4 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 all 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 2 ye ar s n ow an d it s c irc ulat i o n has re ac h e d an all - t im e hi gh, t hanks in gre at par t to a b o o m in t h e

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RUM NEWS

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RUM SC & IEN CE

IN TERVIEWS

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RUM

w it h f avo r ab l e, we ll - re c e i ve d re sult s.

T hi s d o e s n ot g o unn ot i c e d an d lar g e di st i ll e r i e s are als o adapt in g t h e ir p r ac t i c e s to ref l e c t t h e hi gh e r ex p e c t at i o ns f r o m c o nsum e r s an d p o li c y m ake r s.

c o nsumpt i o n of p r e mium r um s ar o un d t h e wo r l d.

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Rum C e nt r a l h as m ove d i nto i t s n ew wa r e h o u s e c o m p l ex , f r o m w h e r e i t w i l l b e a b l e to ke e p up w i t h t h e i n c r e as i n g d e m a n d f o r b ulk r um. T h e i n c r e as e d s p ac e w i ll a ll ow f o r eve n m o r e s p e c i a lt y c as k f i ni s h e s t h a n b ef o r e, a l o n g w i t h f aste r t ur n a r o un d t i m e s.

S t a r t i n g i n 2 0 24, Rum C e nt r a l w i ll a l s o of fe r a r e g ul a r sup p ly of f r e s h ly e m pt i e d r um ba r r e l s f o r di st i ll e r i e s, w i n e r i e s a n d b r ewe r i e s to a g e o r to f i ni s h t h e i r p r o du c t s.

Cr af t di st ill e r i e s ar o un d t h e wo r l d c o nt inu e to r ai s e t h e bar an d to inc o r p o r ate t h e late st te c hn o l o gi e s into t h e ir bus in e s s p lans, m o st ly

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T h e Rum U ni ve r s it y c o nt inue s to b e par t of M o o nshine U ni ve r s it y ’s Rum Cur r i c ulum, st ay tune d fo r ad dit i o nal, advanc e d t r ainin g c las s e s t hat w i ll b e of fe re d in 2 0 24.

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 24 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

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

T E A M INT E R V I E W: C R IS D E HLAV I

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

inex p e r i e nc e d. I t i s st i ll an o n g o in g i s sue in a l ot of p lac e s. T h e g o o d new s i s t hat p e o p l e are o ut dinin g t h o u gh, an d re st aur ant s are busy!

Q: T h i s ye a r w e s aw a l a r g e increase in our bulk rum sales destined for RTD products. Do yo u t h i n k t h a t R T D s c o n t i n u e t o increase in popularity or has the t r e n d f l a t t e n e d?

It def inite ly s e e ms t hat t h e c ate g o r y has gr ow n an d c o nt inue s to d o s o. I wo r ke d c l o s e ly w it h Char l e s J o ly m any, m any ye ar s ag o w it h Cr af t h o us e C o c k t ails, an d it was suc h a new c ate g o r y, w it h lit t l e to n o c o mp et it i o n. N ow it s e e ms eve r yo n e i s d o in g an RT D. 2 0 2 0 st ar te d t h e h o m e bar te n de r, an d w hil e s o m e l ove m ak in g c o c k t ails f r o m s c r atc h, t h e r e are a l ot of p e o p l e w h o p refe r t h e RT D.

Q: A c o u p l e o f m o n t h s a g o yo u i n j u r e d yo u r k n e e d u r i n g a b i k i n g a c c i d e n t . H ow i s yo u r r e c ove r y ?

I b r o ke my t ib i a, to r e my m e ni sc us, an d badly r uptur e d my AC L . I had sur g e r y 12 we e ks ag o to f i x it all an d have b e e n d o in g p hys i c al t h e r apy 2 x a we ek eve r s inc e. I was in a l e g b r ac e an d c r utc h e s fo r 8 we e ks, an d n ow just wo r k in g har d to g et bac k to n o r m al. I sh o ul d b e 10 0% by late sp r in g.

Q: Ac c o r d i n g t o so m e r e p o r t s , t h e h o s p i t a l i t y i n d u s t r y h a s r e c ove r e d t o p r e - p a n d e m i c l eve l s . D o e s yo u r ex p e r i e n c e a g r e e w i t h t h i s?

S adly, n o. I am st i ll s e e in g st af f in g i s su e s at m o st r e st aur ant s, an d t h e st af f t h ey d o have i s yo un g an d of te n

Got R Rum? um ? Dece mber 2023 - 446 6

Q: W h a t a r e so m e o f t h e t h i n g s t h a t yo u a r e l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o a c h i ev i n g n ex t ye a r ?

We ll t h e f ir st t hin g i s g et t in g bac k to t h e p hysi c al ac t i v it y I was d o in g p r i o r to my ac c i d e nt . Ro c k c lim b in g, hik in g, an d ur ban walk in g. I was walk in g 15 -2 0 mi l e s a we e k o n l o c al t r ails. I mi s s it d e sp e r ate ly. Wo r kw i s e, I am st i ll e duc at in g f ull - t im e an d st ill r unnin g t h e CA P p r o g r am at Tal e s of t h e C o c k t ai l an d l ov in g all of it . M y b oy f r i e n d an d I ar e h o p in g to g o to Fr anc e t hi s ye ar to v i s it f r i e n ds, as we ll as sp e n d s o m e t im e in C o gnac an d Cham pag n e. (an d r o c k c limb, of c o ur s e!)

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 sh a r e w i t h o u r r e a d e r s?

J ust t hat I ap p re c i ate t hat y ’all are st ill re adin g an d inte re ste d! I st ar te d w r it in g fo r “ G ot Rum? ” m any ye ar s ag o an d li fe has c han g e d s o muc h, s o m any t im e s, ove r t h e ye ar s. I am s o gr atef ul to st ill b e a par t of it .

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

T E A M INT E R V I E W: PAUL S E NFT

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

W h e n I t hi nk a b o ut n ewe r r um b r a n ds t h at a r e d o i n g i t r i g ht , H o lm e s C ay i s o n e of t h e b e st at c o nn e c t i n g w i t h i m b i b e r s by us i n g s o c i a l m e di a, at te n di n g t ast i n g eve nt s t h at f o c us o n c o nsum e r s a n d r um e nt hus i ast s, a n d n ot b e i n g s hy a b o ut p e r s o n a lly c o nn e c t i n g w i t h t h e c o m muni t y at l a r g e. By d o i n g t hi s, t h ey h ave c r e ate d a st r o n g a n d l oya l f o ll ow i n g, w hi c h i s i m p r e s s i ve c o ns i d e r i n g t h at t h ey h ave o n ly b e e n a r o un d f o r a few ye a r s. I b e li eve t h e i r p e r s o n a l to u c h i s w h at h as h e lp e d t h e m r i s e a b ove m a ny ot h e r n ew b r a n ds.

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 , a n d yo u’ ve h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y (n o t a l w ays p l e a su r e!) o f t a s t i n g m a ny, m a ny r u m s , n o t j u s t f o r o u r m a g a z i n e . W h i c h a r e so m e o f t h e m o s t m e m o r a b l e r u m s f r o m 2 02 3 a n d w hy ?

I t h as b e e n a n i nte r e st i n g ye a r f o r b l e n d e d r um s a n d c as k f i ni s h e s.

S t a n d o ut s f o r m e we r e D o n Q D o ub l e C as k Fi ni s h Z i nf a n d e l C as k , Ro n C o l o n S a l vad o r e n o H i g h Pr o of Rum, B ayo u XO M a r di G r as, a n d R hum J. M . J a r di n Fr ui te. E ac h r um h ad a n i nte r e st i n g f l avo r p r of i l e a n d d e m o nst r ate d t h e s k i ll s of t h e b l e n d e r s b e hi n d t h e b r a n ds.

Q: I n a d d i t i o n t o r ev i ew i n g r u m s f o r “G o t Ru m? ” a n d w r i t i n g yo u r ow n a r t i c l e s f o r o t h e r o u t l e t s , yo u a l so o f f e r c o n su l t i n g s e r v i c e s t o h a n d - p i c ke d c l i e n t s . H ow a r e n ew companies communicating with c o n su m e r s? A r e t h e r e c o m m o n shor tcomings that need to be a d d r e s s e d?

Got Got R Rum um? ? De Dece cemb mber e r 22023 0 2 3 -- 4488

T h e m o st c o m m o n s h o r tc o m i n g I s e e i n t h e s p i r i t i n dust r y i s to o mu c h r e li a n c e o n I nst a g r a m. A p r et t y p i c t ur e w i t h n o sub st a nt i ve i nf o r m at i o n i s e as i ly f o r g et t a b l e a n d d o e s li t t l e to g e n e r ate t h e i nte r e st t h e b r a n d i s t r y i n g to o bt ai n.

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

I d o n ot h ave a ny t hi n g s c h e dul e d at t hi s t i m e. I a m l o o k i n g at di f fe r e nt o pt i o ns a n d h ave n ot c h o s e n a ny t hi n g t h at i s r um - c e nt r i c .

Q: W h a t a b o u t r u m c o n f e r e n c e s / eve n t s?

A s f a r as r um - f o c us e d eve nt s, I a m c ur r e nt ly l o o k i n g at c o nfe r e n c e s to s e e i f a ny f i t my s c h e dul e. I n J a nu a r y, I a m h o st i n g t wo c h a r i t y r um sy m p o s i um s at t h e I nuh e l e Po ly n e s i a Po p Cult ur e eve nt i n At l a nt a a n d h o p e to at te n d t h e Ta l e s of t h e C o c k t ai l c o nfe r e n c e dur i n g t h e sum m e r.

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?

T h a nk yo u f o r r e adi n g. I a l ways a p p r e c i ate t h e fe e dbac k a n d c o nve r s at i o ns t h at h a p p e n af te r e ac h i s su e h as b e e n p ub li s h e d. W h e n yo u a r e eva lu at i n g r um s, p l e as e a l ways c o ns i d e r t h e st y l e of r um, t h e p r o du c t i o n m et h o ds, m at ur at i o n, b l e n ds, etc ., a n d c o m p a r e t h e m ac c o r di n g ly. Fo r exa m p l e, c o m p a r i n g a s p i c e d r um w i t h a 10 ye a r o l d r um b l e n d i s n ot a f ai r c o m p a r i s o n f o r e i t h e r p r o du c t .

I w i s h eve r yo n e a h a p py n ew ye a r a n d t h a nk yo u a g ai n f o r r e adi n g my wo r k .

G Goott Ru Rum m?? De Decceemb mbeerr 22002233 -- 4499

T E A M INT E R V I E W: P HILI P ILI B A R A K E

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

l o o k i n g f o r hi g h e r qu a li t y (i nste ad of l owe r qu a li t y/p r i c e s).

Q: A ye a r a g o t h e r e w a s a ve r y l i m i t e d s e l e c t i o n o f c i g a r s ava i l a b l e i n Ch i l e , b u t s eve r a l n ew b r a n d s h ave b e e n i n t r o d u c e d s i n c e t h e n .

I s t h i s a s i g n a l o f a m o r e so l i d e c o n o my, o r i s i t p o s s i b l y a t r e n d a m o n g (n ew) s m o ke r s?

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 t o t h e h o s p i t a l i t y i n d u s t r y ? H a s yo u r b a r (Re d Fr o g) r e c ove r e d t o p r e p a n d e m i c l eve l s?

I t hi nk t h e h o s p i t a li t y i n dust r y i s st i ll i m b a l a n c e d, s a l e s l eve l s a r e l owe r t h a n l ast ye a r a n d t hi s i s du e to s eve r a l f ac to r s: c o nsum e r s a r e c o nt r o lli n g t h e i r s p e n di n g, t h e r e i s hi g h e r un e m p l oy m e nt a n d ba nks a r e wo r k i n g w i t h s e l e c te d m e r c h a nt s to of fe r l a r g e di s c o unt s, w hi c h i s g r e at f o r c o nsum e r s, b ut i t i s bad f o r o n p r e m i s e e st a b li s hm e nt s.

I h ad di f f i c ult i e s p ay i n g s o m e of o ur sup p li e r s o n t i m e a n d, o n c e I to o k c a r e of a ll o ut st a n di n g p ay m e nt s a n d c a ll e d t h e m to a p o l o g ize, t h ey wo ul d te ll m e t h at m o st of t h e i r ac c o unt s we r e g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e s a m e t hi n g.

I r e a lly h o p e t h e s i t u at i o n c a n b e f i xe d s o o n, we n e e d a st r o n g e r e c o n o my, w i t h hi g h e r di s p o s a b l e i n c o m e l eve l s a n d m o r e c li e nt s

Rum? Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 550 0

Ye s, t hi s i s a sub j e c t I di s c us s e d w i t h s o m e c o nsum e r s: t h e i n c r e as e d va r i et y of c i g a r s avai l a b l e, e i t h e r t h r o u g h e - c o m m e r c e o r i n ac t u a l sto r e s. Fo r exa m p l e, a h ote l i n S a nt i a g o n ow h as a D av i d of f sto r e i ns i d e, w hi c h i s a hu g e ste p i n t h e r i g ht di r e c t i o n. A n ot h e r f ac to r t h at af fe c te d t h e b o o m was t h e p ur c h as e by t h e C hi n e s e of H a ba n o s S A , w hi c h r e sulte d i n a l a r g e i n c r e as e i n p r i c e s, f o r c i n g m a ny “H a ba n o s W i d ows ” to l o o k f o r n ew a lte r n at i ve s.

Q: A r e yo u p l a n n i n g t o a t t e n d a ny r u m c o n f e r e n c e s i n 2 02 4 o r d o yo u h ave a ny r u m - r e l a t e d t r ave l s c o m i n g u p?

I wo ul d l ove to o, I a l ways e nj oye d g o i n g to t h e m, c o nst a nt ly l e a r ni n g dur i n g e ac h t r i p. G i ve n t h e c ur r e nt e c o n o m i c s i t u at i o n, I ’ll h ave to t ake a d e e p b r e at h a n d p ut my t r ave l p l a ns o n h o l d f o r a li t t l e w hi l e. W i t h o ut a d o ubt , s o m e of t h o s e fe st i va l s h ave b e e n t h e m o st e nj oya b l e ex p e r i e n c e s of my li fe.

Q: We k n ow t h a t yo u e n j oy r u m ve r s i o n s o f c l a s s i c c o c k t a i l s . I f yo u w e r e t o h ave a c o c k t a i l n a m e d a f t e r yo u r s e l f, w h a t wo u l d b e i t s i n s p i r a t i o n?

I h ave t r i e d to, b ut I d o n’ t wa nt to t ake c r e di t away f r o m t i m e - te ste d c r e at i o ns.

W hi l e i t i s t r u e t h at o n e c a n m o di f y a n ex i st i n g r e c i p e to c r e ate a n ew ve r s i o n, a ll t h e s e c o c k t ai l s c o m e f r o m

a ve r y f l ex i b l e o r i g i n: yo u c a n c r e ate n ew “ex p e r i m e nt s,” s o m e of w hi c h a r e sur p r i s i n g ly g o o d, b ut t h at d o e s n’ t m ake t h e m o r i g i n a l c r e at i o ns, t h ey a r e s i m p ly t h e r e sult of t h at m o m e nt ’s i ns p i r at i o n.

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?

W h e n yo ur m i n d i s f ully o c c up i e d a n d yo u a r e ove r c o m i n g a m i lli a r d of o b st ac l e s, i t i s t h e n t h at yo ur c r e at i v i t y i s t r uly te ste d. A m o n g a ll my p r oj e c t s, t h e m o st i nte r e st i n g a n d a p p e a li n g to m e i s to a g e r um i n t h e s o ut h e r n p a r t of C hi l e. I b e li eve t h at , li t t l e by li t t l e, a n d w i t h my p a r t n e r s hi p w i t h yo u, bas e d o n a ll t h e ye a r s we’ve b e e n wo r k i n g to g et h e r, t hi s h as t h e p ote nt i a l to p r o du c e s o m et hi n g ve r y s p e c i a l, wo r t hy of b e i n g r a nke d a l o n g s i d e t h e wo r l d ’s b e st . I d o n’ t wa nt to p r o m i s e a ny t hi n g, b ut i f t hi n g s st a r t to i m p r ove (su c h as a n i n c r e as e i n to ur i s m), t hi s c a n b e c o m e a b e aut i f ul p r oj e c t .

Phi li p

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 5 1

T E A M INT E R V I E W: M A R C O P I E R INI

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

S i c ily had an imp o r t ant su g ar p r o duc t i o n fo r c e ntur i e s, unt i l t h e 170 0 s. A n d in t h e 18 0 0 s, t h ey als o t r i e d t h e ir han d at p r o duc in g r um.

T h e n, t h e c h e ap e r su g ar im p o r te d f r o m A m e r i c a l e d to t h e de mi s e of t h e l o c al in dust r y.

S o m e ye ar s ag o, in t h e anc i e nt tow n of Avo la, a v i s i o nar y e nt re p re ne ur b e g an to c ult i vate su g arc ane ag ain an d to p r o duc e r um w it h it . T h e nam e of t h e p r o duc t i s AVOL A RUM . It i s m ade f r o m t h e jui c e of t h e c ane, unag e d, an d it i s wo n de r f ul. O ne of t h e b e st r ums I have eve r t aste d.

Q: Yo u r e c e n t l y t o o k t i m e o f f f r o m w r i t i n g , so t h a t yo u c o u l d f o c u s o n r e s e a r c h . H a s yo u r r e s e a r c h u n c ove r e d a ny “ h i d d e n g e m s” o f i n f o r m a t i o n?

Ye s, I n e e d e d s o m e t im e to d o re s e arc h an d to r e st , to o. I have fo un d s o m e inte re st in g d o c um e nt s, eve n t h o u g h n ot exac t ly “ hi d d e n g e ms”, as I had t h e luc k to di s c ove r in t h e past . H oweve r, I have fo un d s o m e Cuban s o ur c e s, of te n qu ote d in t h e lite r atur e, but ve r y di f f i c ult to re ad dir e c t ly. I w i ll us e t h e m fo r my ar t i c l e s, but I want al s o s im p ly to t r ans late an d p ub li sh t h e m to m ake t h e m avai lab l e to t h e En gli sh sp e ak in g p ub li c .

Q: H ow i s t h e c r a f t r u m (m i c r o d i s t i l l e r y) sc e n e i n I t a l y ? A r e t h e r e a ny n o t ewo r t hy o p e r a t i o n s a n d /o r p ro d u c t s ava i l a b l e?

A b o ut c r af t r um, in It aly t h e r e are s o m e n ew, exc it in g ex p e r i e nc e s.

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 2 Rum? 2022 - 552

N ow, t wo m o re S i c ili an e nt re p re n e ur s have b e gun to p r o duc e t h e ir r um, w hi c h w i ll s o o n ar r i ve in t h e m ar ket , an d ot h e r s are s ai d to b e t ak in g an inte re st . Fo r an It ali an r um l ove r like m e, an d fo r a hi sto r ian to o, it i s ve r y exc it in g.

Q: D i d yo u n o t i c e a ny c h a n g e s d u r i n g 2 023 i n h ow c o n su m e r s a p p r o a c h r u m , i n I t a l y i n p a r t i c u l a r, o r i n Eu r o p e i n g e n e r a l?

I wo ul d s ay t hat t h e p re miumiz at i o n i s c o nt inuin g, an d t h e sur g e of t h e c o c k t ai l s c e ne to o. I am s o r r y, but I am n ot ab l e to answe r t hi s que st i o n in a tot ally re li ab l e way. In t h e past ye ar, I have t r ave ll e d ve r y lit t l e an d I have had few o p p o r tunit i e s to at te n d r um eve nt s, to v i s it t h e bar s c e ne an d to t alk w it h t h e r um f amily. S o, I d o n ot k n ow i f t h e re are any new t re n ds in t h e It ali an an d Eur o p e an r um wo r l d.

Q: Ca n w e ex p e c t a n ew b o o k f r o m yo u a ny t i m e so o n?

Ye s, I h o p e s o. I wo ul d like to w r ite a new b o o k ab o ut Cuban r um, but at t h e m o m e nt I d o n ot k n ow w h e n I w i ll b e ab l e to pub li sh it . Ye ar s, unfo r tunate ly, d o n ot pas s in vain an d my e ne r gy i s n ot w hat it us e d to b e.

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?

Ye s, t h e re i s, ac tually. I have b e e n w r it in g fo r G o t Ru m? fo r te n ye ar s n ow, an d I h o p e o ur re ade r s have e nj oye d re adin g my ar t i c l e s quite as muc h as I have e nj oye d w r it in g t h e m.

3 - 53 G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 2

T E A M INT E R V I E W: M I K E K UN E T K A

by M a r g a r et Aya l a

i n c r e di b l e di ve r s i t y of J a m a i c a n r u m s , a n d H a m p d e n r u m s i n p a r t i c u l a r. W h at r e a l l y m a ke s t h i s s et s p e c i a l i s t h e i n s e r t t h at d e s c r i b e s e ac h m a r k i n i n c r e di b l e d et a i l.

I t d e s c r i b e s t h e h i sto r y, t h e r aw m ate r i a l s , fe r m e nt at i o n t i m e s a n d e ste r b r e a kd ow n s f o r e ac h m a r k . I d o n’ t t h i n k I h ave eve r s e e n s u c h t r a n s p a r e n c y. T h e b ot t l e s a r e b i g e n o u g h f o r yo u to t a ste a n d c o m p a r e m a r ks a n d a l s o c r e ate yo u r ow n J a m a i c a n b l e n d. T h e r e i s s o m u c h to l e a r n h e r e; t h i s i s a r u m n e r d ’s d r e a m c o m e t r u e. I f t h e r e a r e a ny s i g n i f i c a nt- ot h e r s o u t t h e r e l o o k i n g f o r a h o l i d ay g i f t f o r t h e i r r u m - n e r d p a r t n e r, t h i s i s i t . T h e r e a r e r u m o r s t h at H a m p d e n w i l l r e l e a s e a s e c o n d c o l l e c t i o n i n 2 0 24, t h i s t i m e w i t h t h e s a m e m a r ks b e i n g a g e d o n e ye a r i n ex- b o u r b o n c a s ks a n d p r o ofe d to 52 % Q : A n o t h e r ye a r o f r u m n e w 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 a n d w hy ?

I t h i n k t h e b i g g e st sto r y i s 2 3 | 01 | B n _Q a, M o unt G ay ’s f i r st r e l e a s e i n i t s S i n g l e E st ate S e r i e s. T h i s i s a r um m a d e f r o m su g a r c a n e g r ow n o n t h e i r ow n 3 0 0 ac r e f a r m. T h i s a l l ow s M o unt G ay to g r ow a n d p r o c e s s c a n e s o t h at t h ey c a n m a ke t h e b e st p o s s i b l e m o l a s s e s f o r t h i s r u m.

T h i s f i r st r e l e a s e h a s a l o n g, n i n e - d ay fe r m e nt at i o n, t h e n i t ’s r u n - t h r o u g h o n l y a p ot st i l l a n d b ot t l e d at 5 5% A BV. T h e s e t h r e e e l e m e nt s a r e di f fe r e nt f r o m m o st M o u nt G ay p r o du c t s. I l ove t h e i d e a of f a r m to g l a s s p r o du c t i o n. A num b e r of di st i l l e r i e s g r ow t h e i r ow n c a n e to m a ke f r e s h c a n e j ui c e b u t M o unt G ay i s t h e f i r st l a r g e di st i l l e r y, t h at I a m awa r e, t h at i s g r ow i n g c a n e to m a ke t h e i r ow n m o l a s s e s. A n d n ow we k n ow w h at M a g g i e C a m p b e l h a s b e e n s e c r et l y wo r k i n g o n f o r t h e l a st few ye a r s.

T h e n ex t b i g sto r y wa s t h e r e l e a s e of t h e H a m p d e n J a m a i c a n Ru m 8 M a r ks C o l l e c t i o n. T h i s s et h a s 2 0 0 m l s a m p l e s of e i g ht di f fe r e nt m a r ks (i n di v i d u a l di st i l l ate s) t h at H a m p d e n E st ate u s e s a s b ui l di n g b l o c ks i n b l e n di n g t h e i r r u m s. T h e s e u n a g e d r u m s, b ot t l e d at 6 0% A BV, s h ow t h e

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 5 4

Q: L o n g - t e r m r e a d e r s o f o u r m a g a z i n e k n ow t h a t yo u e n j oy b l e n d i n g yo u r ow n r u m s . H ow a r e yo u r p e r s o n a l i z e d r u m b l e n d s c o m i n g a l o n g? W h a t a r e t h e n ex t g o a l s i n yo u r r u m b l e n d i n g j o u r n ey ?

I a l way s r e m e m b e r Lu i s Aya l a q u ot i n g A r i stot l e: “T h e w h o l e i s a l ways g r ea ter t ha n th e s u m o f i ts p a r ts.” I n o u r wo r l d t h at wo u l d m e a n t a k i n g g o o d /g r e at r u m s , b l e n di n g t h e m to g et h e r a n d m a k i n g s o m et h i n g g r e ate r. I st i l l st r u g g l e w i t h t h at f i n a l g o a l. T h e i d e a t h at Ku l e a n a c a n b l e n d s eve n r u m s to m a ke t h e i r H ō k ū l e i o r B l ac k Tot b l e n d s n i n ete e n r u m s to m a ke t h e i r M a ste r B l e n d e r ’s Re s e r ve i s b eyo n d my c o m p r e h e n s i o n. R i g ht n ow, I a m at te m pt i n g a w i nte r b l e n d to m a ke Ru m O l d Fa s h i o n e d s a n d a s u m m e r b l e n d to m a ke D a i q u i r i s. Fo r t h e O l d Fa s h i o n e d s I a m b l e n di n g J a m a i c a a n d B a r b a d o s r um s , S m i t h & C r o s s a n d M o u nt G ay. I a m st i l l n ot h a p py w i t h t h e r at i o s. Fo r D a i q u i r i s , t h e g o a l w i l l b e s o m et h i n g l i ke Fo u r s q u a r e’s wo n d e r f u l Pr o b i t a s , b u t w i t h m o r e p un c h. I a m t h i n k i n g i t c o u l d b e a b l e n d of J a m a i c a ( Wo r t hy Pa r k , m ay b e) a n d B a r b a d o s o r Pa n a m a r u m s.

Q: A r e t h e r e a ny r u m - r e l a t e d b o o ks t h a t h ave c a u g h t yo u r a t t e n t i o n r e c e n t l y ?

We l l, t h e e l e p h a nt i n t h e r o o m h e r e i s c e r t a i n l y M at t Pi et r e k ’s M o d e r n C a r i b b e a n Ru m. A t 8 3 0 + p a g e s, i t i s a m o n ste r, a l m o st to o b i g to r e st i n yo u r l a p. B ut i t i s d ef i n i te l y t h e e n c yc l o p e di a of C a r i b b e a n Rum. H e h a s d o n e a g r e at j o b of c o l l e c t i n g d at a a n d p h oto g r a p h s of j u st a b o ut eve r y di st i l l e r y i n t h e r e g i o n a n d h i s w i fe, C a r r i e S m i t h, di d a g r e at j o b o n t h e l ayo ut of t h e b o o k .

T h e ot h e r b o o k I li ke d wa s t h e qui r k y Pu e r t o R i c o Ru m - Cl o p e d i a by Fe d e r i c o H e r n a n d ez. Fe d e i s t h e m a n b e h i n d t h e Rum L a b, a p r o m ote r of r um fe st i va l s i n t h e S t ate s a n d Pu e r to R i c o. I t i s a b r i ef h i sto r y of r u m i n Pu e r to R i c o. Ye s, i t t a l ks a b o ut B ac a r di a n d D e st i l e r ía S e r r a l l é s (D o n Q), b ut i t a l s o c ove r s s m a l l e r, c r af t di st i l l e r s li ke C l ub C a r i b e, C r a b i s l a n d a n d S a n J u a n A r t i s a n. H e w r i te s a b o ut b l e n d e r s a n d b ot t l e r s li ke B a r r i li to s a n d R o n R i n c ó n a n d f a m o u s Pu e r to R i c a n di st i l l e r i e s of t h e p a st . 2 2 0 p a g e s, w i t h to n s of p i c t u r e s. H e c h e e k i l y r efe r s to h i s b o o k a s Ve r s i o n1, a s h e h o p e s t h e r e i s m o r e h i sto r y of Pu e r to R i c a n r um to b e w r i t te n.

Q: A r e yo u p l a n n i n g t o v i s i t a ny d i s t i l l e r i e s i n 2 0 2 4?

T h e r e a r e t wo di st i l l e r i e s h e r e i n A r i zo n a t h at h ave g ot te n i nte r n at i o n a l r e c o g n i t i o n f o r t h e i r r u m s. B ot h, D e s e r t D i a m o n d D i st i l l e r y a n d t h e El g i n D i st i l l e r y, h ave wo n g o l d m e d a l s at t h e 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 a n d t h e I nte r n at i o n a l W i n e & S p i r i t s C o m p et i t i o n. I h ave b e e n to b ot h di st i l l e r i e s , b u t I wo u l d l i ke to g o b ac k a n d d o d e e p - di ve, n e r d y i nte r v i ew s w i t h t h e m l i ke I di d w i t h t wo H awa i i a n di st i l l e r i e s e a r l i e r t h i s ye a r.

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 o u r r e a d e r s?

I wo u l d l i ke to c l o s e w i t h a to a st t h at I h e a r d M i tc h W i l s o n of B l ac k Tot Ru m g i ve. I t s e e m s a p p r o p r i ate f o r t h e H o l i d ay S e a s o n: T h er e a r e Ta l l S h i p s , T h er e a r e S m a l l S h i p s , A n d th er e a r e s h i p s tha t s a i l th e s ea B u t th e b es t s h i p s a r e Fr i en ds h i p s , H er e’s to yo u a n d m e.

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 2 3 - 55

C IGA R & R UbyMPhi liPAI R ING p I li B a r ake

Got R um ? Dece mber 2023 - 5 6

Old Days

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 2023 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

A few we eks ag o I c e l e b r ate d my bir t h day, it was a ve r y qui et day, s inc e it lan de d o n a M o n day an d, eve n i f I c o ul d t ake t h e day of f, m o st f r i e n ds wo ul d n ot b e ab l e to j o in m e. Inste ad, my b e st f r i e n ds sto p p e d by t h e bar an d we had a few dr inks, ve r y qui et ly. O ne of my f r i e n ds, D av i d (a c i g ar an d c ulinar y af f i c i o nad o), w it h w h o m we di d a pair in g a few ye ar s ag o, gi f te d m e a W i de Churc hill (5 5 x 13 0 mm) f r o m Ro m e o y J uli et a. T hi s i s a fo r m at int r o duc e d by t h e b r an d in 2 010, t h e s am e ye ar I c o mp ete d in t h e H aban o s o mm e li e r c o nte st in Cuba, w h e re I wo n an d c re ate d m e m o r i e s t hat I w i ll t re asure fo r t h e re st of my li fe.

I di d n ot sm o ke t hi s haban o w h e n I re c e i ve d it , inste ad I s ave d it fo r t hi s pair in g w it h Ro n Z ac apa XO. T hi s r um has n ot b e e n ag e d fo r 25 ye ar s, as s o m e p e o p l e su g g e st , but it i s a b l e n d of di f fe re nt ag e d r ums t hat are f ini sh e d in Fre nc h, ex- C o gnac bar re ls. T h e t aste i s ve r y g o o d, n ot as swe et as Z ac apa 2 3, su f f i c e it to s ay t hat Z ac apa 2 3 c an b e us e d in mi xo l o gy, to c re ate m any of t h e c o c k t ails we’ve d o ne pair in g s w it h, w h e re as Z ac apa XO i s b e st e nj oye d ne at o r w it h i c e.

I lit up t h e c i g ar af te r a st r ai ght c ut w it h a d o ub l e - b lade d guill ot ine, s inc e it i s a ve r y t hi c k c i g ar, t r ue to it s nam e. T h e dr aw was ve r y g o o d, n ot har d at all, an d t h e f ir st t hir d was f ull of war m ar o m as an d subt l e to uc h e s of Cuban to bac c o.

M e anw hil e, t h e r um was als o a bit war m, w it h an inte ns e o ak f ini sh, re sult in g in a we ll - balanc e d f ir st t hir d, ve r y re mini s c e nt of my pair in g s in Cuba: I was muc h yo un g e r an d inex p e r i e nc e d, an d was e ag e r to

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 5 7

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

Got Got Rum R um?? Dece December mber 2023 2023 -- 5588

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

abs o r b eve r y t hin g, suc h as, pair in g s b et we e n H aban o s an d A r m ag nac . T h e ex p e r i e nc e s we r e ove r w h e lmin g, but I r e m e mb e r h ow hap py I was, w it h all t h e ste p s an d f lavo r s.

W h e n t h e f ir st t hir d of t h e c i g ar was ne ar in g c o mp l et i o n, I r e c all e d t hat in my s e c o n d c o mp et it i o n in Cuba, I had an O l d Fashi o n e d m ad e w it h t wo r um s: o n e was a S mit h & Cr o s s N av y S t r e n gt h, a 10 0% p ot st ill r um at 57% A BV, w hi c h n e e de d to b e c hill e d in a mi x in g g las s. T h e s e c o n d r um was Ro n Z ac apa XO, w hi c h I p o ure d dire c t ly into t h e g las s w h e n t h e f ir st c o c k t ail was f ini sh e d, g ar ni sh e d w it h an o r an g e p e e l to ac c e ntuate t h e o ils an d ar o m as. A ll of t hi s r e min d e d m e of humi d o r s an d c i g ar b oxe s, w it h all t h e wo o d e n n ote s, t h e c o r e of my f ir st ye ar s in Cuba.

W hil e I was sm o k in g t h e c i g ar an d e nj oy in g t hi s pair in g, a f r i e n d of min e ap p r o ac h e d m e at t h e bar as h e was o n hi s way o ut (h e n o r m ally like s to p lay o n t h e arc ad e m ac hin e t hat we have n e ar t h e ex it). H e to l d m e t hat hi s b r ot h e r sm o ke s c i g ar s an d was an av i d f an of H aban o s. It was a p l e as ant c o nve r s at i o n an d hi s b r ot h e r j o in e d us v i a te l e p h o ne an d, as it tur ns o ut , we alr e ady k n ew of

e ac h ot h e r but had neve r m et in p e r s o n.

I qui c k ly re ac h e d fo r an ot h e r sni f te r an d p o ure d s o m e r um fo r my f r i e n d an d, w hil e h e s ai d it was t ast y an d f ini sh e d t h e e nt ire glas s o ut of re sp e c t , it was n ot hi s p refe r re d b eve r ag e.

T hi s i s w hat pair in g s i s all ab o ut: re c allin g o l d t im e s, o l d f r i e n ds an d o l d sto r i e s. S o m et im e s it i s har d to re li ve t h o s e ex p e r i e nc e s unt il yo u have a r um o r a c i g ar t hat i gnite s t h o s e sp e c ial m e m o r i e s. In my c as e, t h e pair in g h e lp e d m e re - li ve exqui s ite ex p e r i e nc e s f r o m my past , s o muc h s o t hat I c o nt inue d e nj oy in g t h e m e m o r i e s eve n w hil e I lai d in b e d t hat ni ght . T h e s e ar e t h e i de al ex p e r i e nc e s, e sp e c ially i f yo u c an f in d s o m et hin g as m e m o r ab l e as a b ox of t h e f ir st c i g ar yo u sm o ke d: inv ite t h e f r i e n ds w it h w h o m yo u c re ate d t hat f ir st m e m o r y an d yo u’ll s e e h ow a s im p l e pair in g w i ll evo l ve into a sp e c i al ni ght .

I h o p e yo u are ab l e to re - li ve ex p e r i e nc e s f r o m yo ur past , yo u’ll e nj oy t h e m m o re t han yo u c an im agine. I t r uly h o p e s o.

Ch e e r s!

Phi lip I li B ar ake # GRCi g ar Pair in g

G o t Ru m ? De c e mb e r 2 0 2 3 - 5 9

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