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Got Rum?
A P R I L 2 01 3
TM
fro m th e g rass to your glass!
Rum EVENTS - Angel’s Share
- Rum History - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW RUM LIBRARY - Tobacco & Rum
6
14
22
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2
Contents
APRIL
2013
5
From The Editor - Congenial Congeners
6-9
The Angel’s Share - Rum Reviews
12-13
INTERNATIONAL RUM FESTIVAL - Madrid
14-17EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Koloa Rum
20-21RUM IN HISTORY
22
RUM LIBRARY - Punch
23 RUM & CANE POETRY
26-27tobacco and rum
12
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 3
Got Rum?
P rin t e d in t h e U . S . A .
A p u b lic a t io n o f R u m R u n n e r P re s s, I n c .
R o u n d R o c k , Te x a s 7 8 6 6 4
Te l/ F a x (8 5 5 ) RUM -T I P S
© 2 0 1 3 b y R u m R u n n e r P re s s , I nc .
A ll rig h t s re s e rv e d .
April 2013
Edi tor and P ubl i sher:
l ui s@ gotrum.com
Executi ve Edi tor:
margaret@ gotrum. com
Tobacco and Rum:
phi l i p@ gotrum.co m
A ngel ’s Share:paul @ gotrum.com
A dverti si ng Servi ces:
ads@ gotrum.com
Webmaster:w eb@ gotrum.com
Di rector of P hotography:
art@ gotrum.com
I f y o u wo u ld lik e t o s u b mit n e ws o r p r e s s
re le a s e s , p le a s e f o rwa rd t h e in f o rma t i o n t o :
new s@ gotrum.com
Yo u c a n d o wn lo a d t h e f re e e le c t ro n ic v e r s i o n
o f t h is ma g a z in e , o r p u rc h a s e t h e p r i n t e d
v e rs io n a t :
WWW. GOTRUM . COM
T h e p rin t e d v e rs io n o f “G o t R um ? ” i s
p ro d u c e d wit h F S C-c e rt if ie d p ap e r,
wh ic h me a n s it is f ro m re s p o n si b l y
ma n a g e d f o re s t s a n d v e rif ie d r e c y c l e d
s o u rc e s .
fa cebook.com/GotR u m
@ Got_R u m
On the cover: “Rum: writing your own story”
fro m th e edito r
Congenial Congeners
Now more than ever, the rum industry seems
to be facing an identity crisis: many rum
producers are under the assumption that
neutral alcohol, distilled from mol asses,
is rum.
Even though the US Federal
government (through the TTB) stipulates
that rum must not be distilled above 95%,
much of the alcohol used to produce the
leading brands is distilled to 96%, resulting
in an alcohol base that is too neutral to be
legally recognized as “rum”.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, we
find micro distillers who believe that rum
can be distilled at strengths below 60% ABV,
feeling that the higher the congener content,
the better the rum will be.
So what congener level is the perfect one
for rum? This is one of the most common
questions asked by our consulting clients.
The answer, not surprisingly, is “it depends”.
In the first case, distilling a semi-neutral
to neutral alc ohol, when aging is the goal,
results in aged sugarcane vodka, which is
not all that appealing.
In the second case, distilling a heavy,
cachaça-like product when the goal is a
sipping rum, results in an equally unpleasant
experience.
To further complicate things, un-skilled
fermentation and distillation professionals
do not discriminate between “good” and
“bad” congeners.
Components such as
aromatic esters are seen by some people
with the same disdain as higher alcohols.
Even higher alcohols are often labeled as
an entity, with little regard to the individual
alcohols that comprise them and the delicate
volume and proportion in which they should
be present.
So why do rum producers struggle to
understand congeners? It is my view that
it is not so much a matter of understanding
congeners, but of controlling their formation
during fermentation: when a fermentation
is laden with undesirable congeners, the
easiest way to remove them is to distill
to such a high proof that –hopefully- their
presence in the distillate is minimized.
There are also distilleries using yeasts
for rum that are best suited for industrial
ethanol production, rather than yeasts that
will produce more desirable congeners, but
will reduce the overall ethanol yield.
Fortunately for purists out there, some
rum companies still know and value their
congeners.
I wholeheartedly hope their
styles and knowledge are preserved for
many more generations.
Cheers!
Luis Ayala, Editor and Publisher
http://www.linkedin.com/in/rumconsultant
Do you want to learn more about rum but don’t want
to wait until the next issue of “Got Rum?”? Then
join the “Rum Lovers Unite!” group on LinkedIn for
updates, previews, Q&A and exclusive material.
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 5
THE A NGEL’S SH A RE
by Pa u l S e n f t
M y n a m e i s Pa u l S e n f t - Ru m Rev i ewe r, Ta s t i n g
h o s t , J u d g e a n d Wr i te r. M y ex p l o r a t i o n o f Ru m s
b e g a n by l e a r n i n g t o c r a f t T i k i c o c k t a i l s f o r
friends. I quickly learned that not all rums are
c r e ate d e q u a l l y a n d t h a t t h e u n i q u e n e s s o f t h e
s p i r i t c a n b e a s va r i e d a s t h e l o c a l e s t h ey a r e
f r o m . T h i s i n s p i r e d m e t o t r ave l w i t h my w i f e
a r o u n d t h e C a r i b b e a n, C e nt r a l A m e r i c a , a n d
U n i te d S t ate s v i s i t i n g d i s t i l l e r i e s a n d l e a r n i n g
a b o u t h o w e a c h o n e c r e a te s t h e i r r u m s . I h ave
a l s o h a d t h e p l e a s u r e o f l e a r n i n g f r o m b a r te n d e r s ,
b r a n d a m b a s s a d o r s , a n d o t h e r e nt h u s i a s t s f r o m
a r o u n d t h e w o r l d; e a c h o n e p r ov i d i n g t h e i r o w n
u n i q u e p o i nt o f v i ew, a d d i n g a n o t h e r c h a pte r t o
t h e m o d e r n s t o r y o f r u m.
The desire to share this information led me to
c r e ate w w w. Ru m J o u r n ey. c o m w h e r e I s h a r e
my ex p e r i e n c e s a n d r ev i ew s i n t h e h o p e s t h at I
wo u l d i n s p i r e o t h e r s i n t h e i r o w n ex p l o r at i o n s .
I t i s my w i s h i n t h e p a g e s o f “ G o t Ru m? ” t o b e
yo u r h o s t a n d p r ov i d e yo u w i t h my i m p r e s s i o n s o f
r u m s ava i l a b l e i n t h e w o r l d m a r ket . H o p ef u l l y my
t a s t i n g n ote s w i l l i n s p i r e yo u t o t r y t h e r u m s a n d
m a ke yo u r o w n o p i n i o n s . T h e w o r l d i s f u l l o f g o o d
r u m s a n d t h e j o u r n ey i s a l way s b e s t ex p e r i e n c e d
w i t h ot h e r s . C h e e r s!
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 6
K ir k and S weeney Rum
3 5 M ap le S t re et als o p ro duc e s
B ot anic al G in and a R ye W hiskey.
a
T he r um is name d fo r a S c h o o ner k now n
fo r r unning r um dur ing Pro hibit i o n. I t
was c apture d by t he C oast G uard in 19 24
w it h a larg e supp ly of r um o n b oard.
T he C oast
a t r aining
Chase. It
ret irement
G uard c o nver te d t he ship to
ve s se l and rename d her t he
remaine d in ser v ic e unt il it s
in t he late 19 4 0 ’s.
A p p e a r a n c e / Pr e s e n t a t i o n
w w w.3 5 maplestreet.c om
T he b ot t le is inspire d by t he c las sic o ni o n
bulb de si gn. T he r um is se c ure d in t he
b ot t le by a r aise d c o r k t hat is c overe d
w it h a b ro nze s afet y seal. T he ne c k of
t he b ot t le has a pic ture of t he K ir k and
S we eney o n it and det ails t he batc h and
b ot t le numb er.
T he b ot t le fo r t his rev i ew is f ro m Batc h
numb er 1, B ot t le numb er 5 473. O n t he
si de of t he natur al c o r k you w ill f ind a
lit t le insc r ipt i o n ab out t he ship.
K
ir k and S we eney is a 12 year o ld
r um f r o m t he D o minic an Repub lic .
T he b ot t le is a 75 0 ml w it h a 4 0%
A BV. Age d in A mer ic an w hite oak t his
r um is pr o duc e d by 3 5 M aple St reet , t he
S pir it s divisi o n of T he O t her G uy ( TOG),
a w ine c o mpany w h o se ho me base is in
S o no ma Califo r nia.
T he c o r k fo r our b ot t le was already
st ar t ing to fe e l dr i e d out and w ill ne e d
to b e m o nito re d in c ase it ne e ds to b e
rep lac e d. A round t he b ot t le is a c las sic
nav i gat i o nal map de si gn t hat hint s at
t he p o s sib le route t he K ir k and S weeney
mi ght have t aken dur ing Pro hibit i o n.
T he r um maint ains a p leas ant mah o gany
c o l o r f ro m t he b ot t le to t he glas s. A s I
sw ir l t he r um, I watc h t hic k b eads fo r m
o n t he glas s and sl ow ly de sc end dow n
t he si de s.
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 7
THE A NGEL’S SH A RE
Nose
I found t he aro ma p leas ant but not
c o mplex.
T he aro ma reveale d sm o k y
vanilla, sof t f r uit note s and a li ght hint of
oak at t he end.
O wney ’s O r iginal Rum
Pa l a t e
T he f ir st sip reveals t he sm ok y p re senc e
of oak t annins, fo ll owe d by t he h o ney
hit t ing t he hi gh note s w hile t he sm o k y
oak c ar r i e s t he foundat i o n. O ut of t his,
vanilla and c ar ame l note s fo r m and unite
c reat ing a we ll balanc e d tof fee ef fe c t .
T he tof fee fo r ms into a subt le c o c oa note
t hat c ar r i e s into t he li ght dr y f inish of t he
r um.
Revi ew
T he se f lavo r s c o mbine to c reate a f ull
b o di e d ex p er i enc e t hat a we ll balanc e d
age d r um c an p rovi de. It p rovi de s s o me
of t he f lavo r prof ile s I have found in s o me
of my favo r ite r ums f ro m t he D o minic an
Repub lic .
Tr y it neat o r w it h an ic e c ub e; I b e li eve
you w ill disc over it to b e a nic e sip ping
r um w it h a g o o d pr ic e p oint , c o mpare d
to similar p ro duc t s in t he mar ket p lac e.
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 8
w w w.owneys.c om
T here are t ime s w hen t he aro ma of t he
r um te lls you all ab out w hat you are ab out
to ex p er i enc e. K ir k and S we eney is not
o ne of t ho se r ums. T he sm o k y vanilla in
t he ar o ma c l oaks a c o mplex it y t hat o nly
c o m e s out in t he f lavo r of t he r um.
L
o o k i n g bac k i n t i m e, r um h as a st r o n g
p r e s e n c e i n t h e hi sto r y of t h e N o r t h
E ast U ni te d S t ate s. N ew Yo r k a n d N ew
En g l a n d b ot h p r o du c e d r um s i n t h e 16 0 0 ’s
t h at c o nt r i b ute d to t h e r i s i n g o p p r e s s i o n of
t h e B r i t i s h Em p i r e. I n 173 3 t h e C r ow n p as s e d
t h e M o l as s e s Ac t , t r y i n g to f o r c e t h e c o l o ni e s
to us e m o l as s e s f r o m t h e We st I n di e s. T h e
We st I n di e s c o ul d n ot m e et t h e di st i ll e r s
d e m a n d, s o t h ey f o un d c r e at i ve ways to g et
a r o un d t h e ac t by us i n g s mu g g l e r s.
T hi s f r ust r ate d t h e B r i t i s h a n d l e d t h e m to
p as s t h e S u g a r Ac t i n 176 4. T hi s ac t c r ac ke d
d ow n o n s mu g g l e r s a n d t a xe d t h e c o l o ni e s
o n a ny g o o ds t h ey i m p o r te d o r ex p o r te d.
T hi s c r us h e d t h e Rum D i st i ll e r i e s’ a b i li t y to
m ake a p r of i t a n d f o r c e d t h e m to c l o s e o r
c h a n g e f o c us to ot h e r s p i r i t s su c h as b e e r
a n d w hi s key.
I n 2 011 a di st i ll e r y qui et ly o p e n e d i n B r o o k ly n,
N ew Yo r k c a ll e d T h e N o b l e E x p e r i m e nt . T h e
ow n e r, B r i d g et Fi r t l e, m ad e h e r dr e a m of
p r o du c i n g a N ew Yo r k Rum a r e a li t y i n 2 012 .
T h e f i r st p r o du c t of t h at dr e a m i s O w n ey ’s
O r i g i n a l N ew Yo r k Ci t y Rum. N a m e d af te r
O we n “ O w n ey, t h e K i ll e r ” M ad d e n: a H e ll ’s
K i tc h e n g a n g ste r w h o as c e n d e d to p owe r
dur i n g Pr o hi b i t i o n as a b o ot l e g g e r, r um
r unn e r, a n d s p e ake asy o p e r ato r. T hi s r um
c e l e b r ate s hi s l e g ac y, as we ll as, t h e sto r i e d
hi sto r y of N ew Yo r k di st i ll e d s p i r i t s.
A p p e a r a n c e / Pr e s e n t a t i o n
O n t h e s h e l f t hi s b ot t l e di st i n g ui s h e s i t s e l f
f r o m eve r y t hi n g e l s e. I t i s s h a p e d like a
p r o hi b i t i o n e r a m e di c i n e b ot t l e w i t h T NE
N YC EST 2 012 r ai s e d o n t h e g l as s. T h e l a b e l
w r a p s t h e 75 0 m l b ot t l e w i t h d et ai l s a b o ut
t h e s p i r i t o n t h e f r o nt a n d t h e sto r y of O w n ey
o n t h e bac k . A n ad d e d ni c e to u c h to t hi s
b ot t l e i s t h e way t h e l a b e l p ur p o s e ly c ove r s
t h e s i d e s of t h e b ot t l e i n o r d e r to s h owc as e
t h e batc h a n d c as e num b e r s.
O ur b ot t l e c a m e f r o m B atc h # 3 , C as e # 2 .
T h e b ot t l e i s s e a l e d w i t h a p l ast i c c o r k a n d
s e c ur e d w i t h a s e c ur i t y st r i p ac r o s s t h e to p.
T h e li qui d i s c l e a r i n t h e b ot t l e a n d g l as s.
S w i r li n g t h e r um r eve a l s a hi g h l eve l of
f i lt r at i o n as t h e r e i s n o s i g n of di st i ll ate. T h e
l e g s qui c k ly r un d ow n t h e s i d e s of t h e g l as s
l e av i n g a s o li d r i n g of c r yst a l b e ads.
Nose
T h e a r o m a b e g i ns w i t h a s o li d f l o r a l n ote
t h at di s s i p ate s, r eve a li n g li g ht va ni ll a a n d
c a n e ac c e nt s w i t h a hi t of a l c o h o l.
Pa l a t e
A s t h e r um r o ll s ac r o s s my to n g u e i t unve i l s
a p l e as a nt ly st r o n g m o l as s e s n ote. A s i t
f ad e s, t h e va ni ll a n ote c a r r i e s as t h e a l c o h o l
b i te s at t h e e n d a n d t h ey li n g e r to g et h e r i n
t h e f i ni s h.
Rev i ew
I t i s a b o l d a n d b r ave t hi n g f o r s o m e o n e
to l e ave a c a r e e r i n f i n a n c e a n d f o c us o n
m ak i n g t h e i r dr e a m s a r e a li t y. I a m p l e as e d
w i t h t h e f i r st ex p r e s s i o n f r o m T h e N o b l e
E x p e r i m e nt di st i ll e r y a n d I l o o k f o r wa r d to
ex p e r i e n c i n g f ut ur e r e l e as e s. B r i d g et Fi r t l e
i n h e r i nte r v i ew s h as r eve a l e d t h at t hi s i s
ste p o n e f o r h e r r um s. S h e h as p l a ns to
p r o du c e a g e d a n d i nf us e d r um s as s h e
i n c r e as e s h e r i nve nto r y.
S h e h as s k i ll f ully avo i d e d s o m e t r a p s t h at
ot h e r s m a ll batc h di st i ll e r s f a ll i nto a n d
h as p r o du c e d a we ll ba l a n c e d p r o du c t . I f
yo u e nj oy t h e f l avo r a n d m o ut h fe e l of a n
i m m at ur e 8 0 p r o of r um, t h e n yo u w i ll b e qui te
h a p py s i p p i n g t hi s o n e n e at o r w i t h a c ub e
of i c e. H oweve r, I wo ul d b e i n c li n e d to us e
i t as a n i n g r e di e nt f o r c l as s i c c o c k t ai l s a n d,
at a r o un d 3 6 d o ll a r s a b ot t l e, i t i s wo r t h
ex p e r i m e nt i n g w i t h.
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 9
I n t e r nat iona l
RU M C on f e r e nc e
& Rum Ta sting Competition
MADRID, SPAIN June 4 -7, 2013
Sponsored By:
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 1 2
w w w.CongresoDelRon.com
M a dr i d
RU M CA PI TAL
A CLOSER LOOK
Q: How does Spain compare to the rest of the rum world?
A: Let’s not forget that the world’s oldest “trapiche” (sugar mill) is in Granada,
dating back to the Arab occupation of Spain. Since then, the country has been a
rum paradise, all our countrymen who had to seek a better future outside of Spain
contributed to the success of today’s rums. This includes Spaniards such as Facundo
Bacardi, Juan Serralles, Andrés Brugal, Julián Barceló, J. Armando Bermúdez, Camp
and Alvarez families and José Arechabala (just to name a few).
Everyone listed above was a legend in his own right. Rum was not only a distilled
beverage to them, but it also represented life itself, for their families, their towns,
cities, even their countries and symbolized wealth and prosperity. So magnificent was
this distillate that it was even used to heal, cook, celebrate, mourn, pray, etc...
Mr. Javier Herrera, Director,
International Rum Conference
In the past, many families in the Canary Islands, in the south of Spain, depended on sugarcane for a living. Today the only
place harvesting the cane is in Isla de la Palma, where my friends from Ron Aldea continue distilling their Aguardiente from
locally harvested cane. Curiously enough, it is Cuban immigrants on the island who are in charge of the zafra (harvest). I
believe that the current economic crisis in Spain could be used as an opportunity for people to return to their roots, planting
sugarcane on the other Canary Islands.
Q: How did you fall in love with rum?
A: Well, I have my degree in Hospitality and Tourism which is where I learned a lot about our history with rum. I have
relatives that live in Motril and Málaga, which are both regions know for their rums. In addition, I have close ties with the
Canary Islands, specifically in La Palma, where they too have good rums. As you can see, my life has been surrounded
by rum. For these reasons, I’ve set out to learn as much as possible. There is very little literature available about rum so
knowing different languages has helped me further my research. I am a member of the Spanish Sommelier’s Association
and President of the International Rum Club. Rum has allowed for my passion and professional interests to come together.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for the Festival?
A: As I mentioned earlier, the rum world offers very little literature on the subject, so as I set out to learn more about rum, I
made the decision to start the Festival and Conferences.
I was convinced that these activities would go a long way
in helping to educate consumers of just how wonderful the
rum they enjoy really is.
Q: Will rum outsell vodka in the USA, as well as, in
other parts of Europe just like whiskey?
A: I am convinced of it, since rum is a far more versatile
beverage with an almost unlimited array of flavor
combinations. Also, women typically are the game changers
in this industry, and they have a sweeter palate than men.
Since rum is usually sweet, if the rum industry really goes
after them, we’ll see a notable success by 2016, marking
the first step towards the “premiumization” of rum.
w w w.Congres oD elRon.co m
Ru
A peril
1 3 - - 11 33
G o t RuGmo?t S
e pmt e?mb
r 220011
FREE COM PET I T ION R egi st r at ion ! V I P PART I ES RU M CONFERENC ES
E xclusi ve INTERVIEW
We a r e h appy to b r i ng you t h i s
i nt e r v iew w it h M r. Rob e r t M. “B ob”
Gu nt e r, P r e side nt & C EO of Kōlo a Ru m
Compa ny, lo c at e d i n K a l a he o K au a’i,
H awa i’i, USA.
Kōlo a’s suc ce s s i n H awa i’i shows u s
t h at t he A me r ic a n c ra f t- d i st i l l i ng t r e nd
i s not l i m it e d to t he cont ig uou s st at e s,
a nd t h at t he spi r it of e nt r e pr e ne u r sh ip
i s a l ive a nd we l l i n a l l cor ne r s of t he
r u m world.
We w i sh B ob a nd h i s t e a m succe s s
b eyond t he i r w i lde st d r e a m s!
- M a r g a r et Aya la , Pu b l is h er
Q : C a n yo u g i ve u s a l i t t l e b i t o f h i s t o r y a b o u t yo u r d i s t i l l e r y ?
Kō l o a Ru m C o m p a ny ( K RC) wa s f o r m e d by a s m a l l g r o u p of K au a`i - b a s e d i nve sto r s w i t h t h e
c o n c e pt to p r o d u c e wo r l d - c l a s s r u m f r o m l o c a l l y s o u r c e d i n g r e d i e nt s a n d, i n d o i n g s o, s u p p o r t
H awa i i ’s b e l e a g u e r e d s u g a r i n d u st r y, st i m u l ate o u r l o c a l e c o n o my a n d p r ov i d e m e a n i n g f u l
e m p l oy m e nt o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r K au a`i r e s i d e nt s.
I n 2 0 07, K RC p u r c h a s e d H awa i i a n Fr u i t S p e c i a l t i e s , p r o d u c e r of t h e i c o n i c H awa i i a n Ku k u i b r a n d
of j a m s , j e l l i e s a n d sy r u p s , a n d i m m e d i ate l y b e g a n c o n st r u c t i o n of o u r D i st i l l e r y i n K a l a h e o, a n d
Ta s t i n g Ro o m a n d C o m p a ny S to r e at K i l o h a n a Pl a nt at i o n i n Li h u e. Ru m p r o d u c t i o n a n d b ot t l i n g
o p e r at i o n s c o m m e n c e d i n S e pte m b e r 2 0 0 9 a n d t h e Ta st i n g Ro o m a n d C o m p a ny S to r e o p e n e d
i m m e d i ate l y t h e r e af te r.
To d ay, w i t h t h r e e c o m b i n e d o p e r at i o n s (D i st i l l e r y, Ta st i n g Ro o m & C o m p a ny S to r e a n d H awa i i a n
Ku k u i) K RC e m p l oy s 21 K au a`i r e s i d e nt s a n d h a s s a l e s a n d d i st r i b u t i o n a c r o s s n i n e st ate s , t h e
D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a a n d We ste r n C a n a d a .
Q : H ow d i d yo u g e t s t a r t e d i n t h e r u m i n d u s t r y ?
A f te r m ov i n g to K au a`i m a ny ye a r s a g o, I wa s f i r st e m p l oye d w i t h L i h u e Pl a nt at i o n C o m p a ny
w h i c h, at t h at t i m e, wa s o n e of t h e l a r g e st s u g a r p l a nt at i o n s i n H awa i i. Wo r k i n g i n t h e s u g a r
i n d u s t r y wa s a n i n c r e di b l e ex p e r i e n c e f o r m e, b ot h p r ofe s s i o n a l l y a n d p e r s o n a l l y, a n d o n e t h at
l ef t a n i n d e l i b l e i m p ac t . N ot o n l y di d I l e a r n m u c h a b o u t c u l t i vat i n g, h a r ve st i n g a n d p r o c e s s i n g
s u g a r c a n e, I a l s o g a i n e d g r e at r e s p e c t a n d a d m i r at i o n f o r t h o s e w h o wo r k i n t h e i n d u s t r y a n d
t h e s p e c i a l c u l t u r e t h at b i n d s t h e m to g et h e r.
I n e a r l y 2 0 0 3 , I wa s i nv i te d to a s s i st i n e st a b l i s h i n g a s m a l l r u m d i st i l l e r y o n M au i. U p o n
c o m p l et i o n, o u r n ex t p r o j e c t l e d to t h e b u i l d i n g a n d c o m m i s s i o n i n g of a s e c o n d d i st i l l e r y o n
M au i d e s i g n e d to p r o d u c e vo dk a f r o m p i n e a p p l e j u i c e. T h e s e t wo d i st i l l e r y p r o j e c t s p r ov i d e d m e
w i t h a u n i q u e o p p o r t u n i t y to wo r k h a n d - i n - h a n d w i t h s e a s o n e d i n d u st r y p r ofe s s i o n a l s , i n c l u di n g
S teve T h o m p s o n, f o r m e r Pr e s i d e nt of B r ow n Fo r m a n D i st i l l i n g, a n d B o b Yo u n g, h i g h l y r e g a r d e d
f o r h i s va st k n ow l e d g e a n d ex p e r i e n c e i n p r o d u c t i o n, f o r m u l at i o n a n d b ot t l i n g o p e r at i o n s .
T h r o u g h t h e m, I wa s a b l e to i nte r ac t a n d l e a r n f i r st - h a n d f r o m s eve r a l of t h e m o st s u c c e s s f u l
d i s t i l l e d s p i r i t s c o m p a n i e s a n d c o nt r a c t p a c k a g e r s i n t h e c o u nt r y. T h i s ‘a p p r e nt i c e s h i p’ g r e at l y
a c c e l e r ate d my l e a r n i n g c u r ve a n d p r ov i d e d m e w i t h t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to m e et a n d f o r m l a s t i n g
r e l at i o n s h i p s w i t h a n u m b e r of key i n d u st r y p r ofe s s i o n a l s , m a ny of w h o m I c o nt i n u e to c o n s u l t
w i t h o n a r e g u l a r b a s i s.
Got Rum
R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 1 4
Q : W h a t p r o d u c t s d o yo u c u r r e n t l y p r o d u c e?
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K a u a`i W h i t e (8 0 p r o of, 75 0 m l a n d 5 0 m l): D r y a n d c r i s p w i t h h i nt s of o a k , l i c o r i c e a n d
to a s te d s u g a r s. C l e a n a n d i nv i t i n g, w i t h a f r u i t y p i n e a p p l e f i n i s h.
K a u a`i G o l d (8 0 p r o of, 75 0 m l a n d 5 0 m l): V i v i d g o l d e n o a k i n a p p e a r a n c e, w i t h h i nt s of
m o l a s s e s , c a n di e d a p p l e a n d va n i l l a o n t h e n o s e. S l i g ht l y swe et , w i t h a b u r nt s u g a r a n d
c a n d i e d l e m o n f i n i s h.
K a u a`i D a r k (8 0 p r o of, 75 0 m l a n d 5 0 m l): R i c h c of fe e a n d m o l a s s e s h u e s i n t h e g l a s s , w i t h
c of fe e a n d b r ow n s u g a r o n t h e n o s e. N ote s of va n i l l a , c ot to n c a n d y, r o a ste d n u t s , c a r a m e l
a p p l e a n d b u r nt o r a n g e p e e l. A l o n g f i n i s h, w i t h p l e nt y of wo o d a n d to a st .
K a u a`i S p i c e Ru m (8 8 p r o of, 75 0 m l a n d 5 0 m l): Pr o d u c e d f r o m a p r o p r i et a r y s p i c e b l e n d,
g o l d e n w h e at i n c o l o r, w i t h h i nt s of s p i c e c a ke o n t h e n o s e. E x t r e m e l y we l l - b a l a n c e d w i t h a
h i nt of c a r a m e l a n d va n i l l a a n d a l o n g, s m o ot h f i n i s h.
Kō l o a R T D M a i Ta i C o c k t a i l (3 4 p r o of, s o l d i n 2 0 0 m l, 1. 0 L a n d 1.75 L).
Kō l o a R T D Ru m Pu n c h (2 0 p r o of, 1. 0 L).
Ad d i t i o n a l Pr o d u c t s: Kō l o a Ru m C a ke, Kō l o a C h o c o l ate Ru m Fu d g e S au c e, H awa i i a n Ku k u i
b r a n d J a m s , J e l l i e s a n d S y r u p s , a n d a l a r g e i nve nto r y of l o g o wa r e a n d u n i q u e l o c a l l y m a d e
i te m s , a l l of w h i c h a r e ava i l a b l e at o u r C o m p a ny S to r e at K i l o h a n a Pl a nt at i o n. Q : I s t h e r e s o m e t h i n g u n i q u e a b o u t yo u r d i s t i l l e r y a n d /o r yo u r p r o d u c t s?
T h e r e a r e t h r e e u n i q u e a s p e c t s to o u r p r o d u c t i o n p r o c e s s e s. 1) We u s e H awa i i a n c a n e s u g a r
exc l u s i ve l y i n f o r m u l at i n g a n d p r o d u c i n g a l l of o u r p r o d u c t s , 2) K au a`i i s h o m e to M t . Wa i ’a l e’a l e,
r e c o g n i ze d a s o n e of t h e wet te st s p ot s o n e a r t h. O u r a b u n d a nt s u p p l y of p r i st i n e r a i nwate r
p r ov i d e s g r e at t a ste a n d m o u t h - f e e l, 3) o u r v i nt a g e, 1210 g a l l o n c o p p e r p ot st i l l a n d c o p p e r
c o l u m n w i t h 7 p l ate s. O r i g i n a l l y b u i l t i n 19 47 f o r B r ow n Fo r m a n D i st i l l e r y i n Ke nt u c k y, t h i s
hy b r i d p ot s t i l l r e n d e r s di st i l l ate t h at i s exc e pt i o n a l l y s m o ot h, c l e a n a n d p o l i s h e d.
Q : D o yo u h ave a ny p l a n s f o r d eve l o p i n g a d d i t i o n a l r u m s i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e?
We r e c e nt l y r e c e i ve d f o r m u l a a p p r ova l f o r o u r n ew 8 0 p r o of, a l l - n at u r a l K au a`i C o c o n u t Ru m
w h i c h we a r e p l a n n i n g to l au n c h s o o n, j u st i n t i m e f o r s u m m e r. T h e q u a l i t y, t a ste a n d a r o m a
c h a r a c te r i s t i c s of t h i s n ew p r o d u c t a r e exc e pt i o n a l a n d we a r e a n x i o u s to a d d i t to o u r ex p a n di n g
p o r t f o l i o. B eyo n d t h i s , we h ave s eve r a l exc i t i n g n ew p r o d u c t s a n d l i n e ex te n s i o n s u n d e r
d eve l o p m e nt , t h e f i r st of w h i c h we h o p e to i nt r o d u c e l ate r t h i s ye a r.
Q : W h a t h ave b e e n s o m e o f t h e g r e a t e s t c h a l l e n g e s /o b s t a c l e s yo u h ave e n c o u n t e r e d t h u s
far?
O u r b i g g e s t o b st ac l e s h ave b e e n i n f i n d i n g o u r n i c h e i n a n u l t r a - c o m p et i t i ve m a r ket d o m i n ate d
by l a r g e m u l t i n at i o n a l b eve r a g e p r o d u c e r s , a n d ove r c o m i n g t h e h i g h c o st of d o i n g b u s i n e s s i n
H awa i i. Kō l o a Ru m’s s u c c e s s to - d ate i s di r e c t l y at t r i b u t a b l e to t h e ex p e r i e n c e, ex p e r t i s e a n d
d e d i c at i o n of o u r e m p l oye e s , q u a l i t y of o u r p r o d u c t s a n d g r ow i n g c o n s u m e r d e m a n d f o r l o c a l l y m a d e p r o d u c t s.
c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e 16
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 1 5
c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 15
M a n u f ac t u r i n g c o n s u m a b l e p r o d u c t s o n
r e m ote i s l a n d s i n t h e m i d d l e of t h e Pac i f i c
O c e a n i s ex p e n s i ve a n d ve r y c h a l l e n g i n g.
T h r e e m a j o r ex p e n s e c o m p o n e nt s f o r
u s a r e i n l o g i st i c s (f r e i g ht c o s t s a n d
t i m e l i n e s s of d e l i ve r i e s of s u p p l i e s a n d
f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t s to - a n d - f r o m H awa i i),
t a xe s (a s s e s s e d o n b eve r a g e a l c o h o l
p r o d u c t s by t h e S t ate, Fe d e r a l a n d C o u nt y
g ove r n m e nt s) a n d u t i l i t i e s (e l e c t r i c i t y, g a s
a n d wate r).
T h e r e i s n o l eve l p l ay i n g f i e l d f o r H awa i i
manufacturers and it is impossible for us
to c o m p ete o n p r i c e a l o n e. O u r st r ate g y i s
to p r o d u c e p r o d u c t s of exc e pt i o n a l q u a l i t y
a n d t a ste, a n d l eve r a g e t h e u n i q u e h i s to r y
a n d c u l t u r e of H awa i i t h at i s k n ow n a n d
a p p r e c i ate d wo r l d - w i d e.
Q : C o u l d yo u d e s c r i b e t o o u r r e a d e r s
yo u r eve r yd ay a c t i v i t i e s? I n o t h e r
wo r d s , h ow m u c h t i m e d o yo u d e d i c a t e
t o p r o d u c t d eve l o p m e n t , r e s e a r c h ,
m a r ke t i n g , e t c .?
I n i t i a l l y, d u r i n g t h e st a r t u p p h a s e, I
wa s h a n d s - o n a n d f u l l y i nvo l ve d w i t h
t h e p e r m i t t i n g, d e s i g n, c o n st r u c t i o n,
i nte g r at i o n a n d d ay - to - d ay o p e r at i o n of
t h e d i st i l l e r y. S u b s e q u e nt l y, we we r e a b l e
to a s s e m b l e w h at i s t r u l y a n a m a z i n g te a m
of t a l e nte d a n d ex p e r i e n c e d i n di v i d u a l s
w h o c o nt r i b u te i m m e a s u r a b l y i n t h e i r
f i e l d s of ex p e r t i s e. A s a r e s u l t , I a m n ow
a b l e to f o c u s m o r e c l o s e l y o n s t r ate g i c
p l a n n i n g, s p e c i a l p r o j e c t s , m a r ket i n g a n d
b u s i n e s s d eve l o p m e nt .
Q:
H ave yo u s e e n a ny c h a n g e s i n
c o n s u m e r p a l a t e s ove r t h e ye a r s? H ave yo u h a d t o a d j u s t yo u r r u m l i n e u p t o ke e p u p w i t h
c h a n g i n g p a t t e r n s i n t h e m a r ke t , o r h a s yo u r t a r g e t m a r ke t r e m a i n e d u n c h a n g e d ove r t h e
ye a r s?
A s a s i n g l e - b atc h, c r af t di st i l l e r i n H awa i i, we e s s e nt i a l l y h ave t wo m a r ket s. I n i t i a l l y, l o c a l
c o n s u m e r s we r e s ke pt i c a l a b o u t h ow g o o d o u r p r o d u c t s wo u l d a c t u a l l y b e; h oweve r, we h ave
s i n c e p r ove d o u r s e l ve s a n d n ow e n j oy ex t r a o r d i n a r y s u p p o r t f r o m t h e H awa i i m a r ket . N ow, w i t h
d i s t r i b u t i o n a n d s a l e s ex p a n di n g o u t s i d e of H awa i i, we a r e f i n d i n g t h at t h e r e i s g r ow i n g i nte r e s t
i n h a n d - c r af te d di st i l l e d s p i r i t s a n d a d e m a n d f o r p r o d u c t s t h at m e et o r exc e e d t h e i n c r e a s i n g l y
h i g h ex p e c t at i o n s of s o p h i st i c ate d c o n s u m e r s a n d m i xo l o g i st s. A s we c o nt i n u e to p e n et r ate
a n d g a i n t r ac t i o n i n m a r ket s o u t s i d e of H awa i i, Kō l o a Ru m i s c l e a r l y g a i n i n g t h e at te nt i o n,
r e s p e c t a n d s u p p o r t of di s c r i m i n at i n g c o n s u m e r s a n d t h e t r a d e.
Q : H ave yo u s e e n a c h a n g e i n h ow c o n s u m e r s p e r c e i ve r u m s i n c e yo u r i nvo l ve m e n t i n
the industr y?
I t r ave l ex te n s i ve l y i n s u p p o r t of o u r b r a n d a n d my s e n s e i s t h at t h e r e i s g r ow i n g i nte r e s t ,
a c c e pt a n c e a n d a p p r e c i at i o n f o r r u m. I t s e e m s t h at r u m h a s a l way s h a d s o m ew h at of a ‘ b l u e c o l l a r ’ r e p u t at i o n a n d g e n e r a l l y n ot r e g a r d e d a s a d e s i r a b l e d r i n k f o r d i s c e r n i n g o r s o p h i s t i c ate d
p a l l et s . T h i s h a s a l way s s e e m e d u nf a i r, e s p e c i a l l y w h e n c o n s i d e r i n g t h at r u m p l aye d s u c h a n
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 1 6
i m p o r t a nt r o l e i n e a r l y U. S .
h i s to r y,
and
has
such
u n i q u e f l avo r a n d m i x i n g
c h a r a c te r i s t i c s.
I
h ave
a l way s h e a r d t h at r u m w i l l b e
t h e n ex t c ate g o r y to ‘ t a ke of f ’ a n d t h at i t w i l l e nj oy a
huge run-up in popularity
a n d p r i c e, s i m i l a r to t h at
w h i c h o c c u r r e d w i t h te q u i l a
a n d vo d k a . W h et h e r r u m w i l l
f o l l ow s u i t , o r n ot , r e m a i n s to
b e s e e n. W h at I c a n s ay i s
t h at a l l of u s at Kō l o a Ru m w i l l
c o nt i n u e d o i n g eve r y t h i n g we
c a n to m a ke s u r e t h at i t d o e s!
Q : I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t Ko l o a
was recently awarded with
“ E x p o r t e r f o r t h e Ye a r f o r K a u a i ”. C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s! C a n yo u t e l l u s a l i t t l e m o r e a b o u t
this accomplishment?
T h a n k yo u! We we r e ve r y p l e a s e d to r e c e i ve t h e awa r d f r o m t h e S m a l l B u s i n e s s A d m i n i st r at i o n.
We a r e f o r t u n ate, i n t h at c o n s u m e r s h ave r e s p o n d e d we l l to Kō l o a Ru m a n d t h e r e i s d ef i n i te l y a
g r ow i n g d e m a n d f o r o u r p r o d u c t s. C o n s e q u e nt l y, Kō l o a Ru m i s n ow ava i l a b l e i n s e l e c t m a r ket s
i n C a l i f o r n i a , O r e g o n, Wa s h i n g to n, A r i zo n a , N eva d a , M i n n e s ot a , I l l i n o i s , G e o r g i a , Wa s h i n g to n,
D C a n d We s te r n C a n a d a. B eyo n d t h at , i t w i l l s o o n b e ava i l a b l e i n A u st r a l i a a n d C h i n a , a n d we
a r e ex p l o r i n g s eve r a l i nte r e st i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n S o u t h - E a st A s i a a n d Eu r o p e. I t s e e m s t h at
p e o p l e eve r y w h e r e a s s o c i ate p o s i t i ve l y w i t h H awa i i a n d c o n s u m e r s a r e ve r y r e c e pt i ve to t r y i n g
p r o d u c t s m a d e i n t h e i s l a n d s. I t i s e s p e c i a l l y g r at i f y i n g f o r u s i n h av i n g t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to s h a r e
Kō l o a Ru m, a b i t of H awa i i a n d o u r A l o h a w i t h t h e wo r l d!
Q : D o yo u h ave a ny a d v i c e f o r a nyo n e w h o i s c o n s i d e r i n g s t a r t i n g h i s / h e r ow n d i s t i l l e r y
i n t h e US A?
T h e b eve r a g e a l c o h o l i n d u st r y i s hy p e r- c o m p et i t i ve, h i g h l y r e g u l ate d a n d o n e t h at s h o u l d n ot
b e e nte r e d i nto c a s u a l l y. H oweve r, i f i t i s yo u r d r e a m a n d yo u b e l i eve yo u h ave w h at i t t a ke s
to s u c c e e d, t h e n g o f o r i t . M y a d v i c e wo u l d b e: D o yo u r h o m ewo r k , m a ke s u r e t h at yo u a r e
a d e q u ate l y f u n d e d, a n d p r e p a r e yo u r s e l f m e nt a l l y a n d p hy s i c a l l y f o r w h at w i l l l i ke l y b e a l o n g,
to u g h r o a d a h e a d. M o st i m p o r t a nt l y, ke e p yo u r eye o n t h e p r i ze, a n d d o n’ t f o r g et to h ave
f u n! T h i s c a n b e a g r e at b u s i n e s s a n d, w i t h t h e r i g ht at t i t u d e a n d a l i t t l e l u c k , i t c a n b e ve r y
r ewa r d i n g.
Q : D o yo u o f f e r t o u r s o f yo u r f a c i l i t y a n d /o r t a s t i n g s?
U nf o r t u n ate l y, l o c a l r e g u l at i o n s d o n ot a l l ow p u b l i c a c c e s s to o u r p r i m a r y d i st i l l e r y ; h oweve r,
o u r Ta s t i n g Ro o m a n d C o m p a ny S to r e at K i l o h a n a Pl a nt at i o n i s o p e n d a i l y a n d t a st i n g s a r e f r e e
to t h e p u b l i c .
Q : I f p e o p l e w a n t t o c o n t a c t yo u o r w a n t t o k n ow h ow t o g e t a h o l d o f yo u r r u m s , h ow m ay
t h ey r e a c h yo u?
i nf o @ ko l o a r u m.c o m (8 0 8) 3 32- 9 3 3 3
Q : I s t h e r e a p a r t i c u l a r m e s s a g e o r c o m m e n t yo u wo u l 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?
A l l of u s a s s o c i ate d w i t h t h e r u m i n d u st r y s i n c e r e l y a p p r e c i ate Ru m Ru n n e r Pr e s s , I n c . a n d we
t h a n k yo u f o r a l l t h at yo u d o to i nf o r m, e d u c ate a n d e nte r t a i n. “ G ot Ru m? ” i s a n i m p o r t a nt a n d
va l u a b l e r e s o u r c e a n d i t s h o u l d b e r e q u i r e d r e a d i n g f o r a nyo n e w h o i s i nte r e ste d i n r u m a n d o u r
i n d u s t r y. A l o h a a n d M a h a l o!
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 1 7
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RUM IN HISTORY
14 8 5
16 01
1513
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2 0
Ever wondered what happ ened
in t he mont h of April
t hro ugho ut histor y?
1782
178 9
opt ril
Ru2m
? 3A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2 1
G o t Ru m ?GA
01
RUM library
Rum ent husiast s w ill b e de li ghte d to
ex p er iment re c reat ing fam ous re c ip e s
suc h as t hat fo r G las g ow Punc h w hic h,
de spite it s name, c alls fo r “J amaic a Rum”
as o ne of it s si gnature ingre di ent s.
O ne
par t ic ular ly- amusing
par agr aph
re c ount s B er muda’s Li eutenant G over no r
in 1724 de sc r ipt i o n of t he island ’s
G ener al A s semb ly memb er s w h o, in his
wo rds p refer re d to sp end t heir days
“ wander i ng fr o m o ne u ni nhab i ted Is land
to ano ther (i n thei r s lo o ps), f is hi ng fo r
wr ec ks , and tr ad i ng wi th P yr at ’s , and
l ivi ng no t l i ke ani ma ls that ar e i mbued
wi th r eas o n.”
It was dif f ic ult to gat her t he se p e o p le,
but w hen t hat hap p ene d, he c o nt inue s,
“ I t is f i t ter to b e i mag i n’d, that fo r m e
to tel l … the ef fec ts whic h Ru m Pu nc h
pr o duc es i n an Ass emb ly of 3 6 m en,
s uc h as I have des c r i b’d.”
T
his b o ok rej o ic e s t he reader
far b eyo nd it s abilit y to de liver
magni f ic ent , t ime - te ste d punc h
re c ip e s: it provi de s an insi ght f ul l o o k
into t he so c i et al c o ndit i o ns t hat le d to
t he p o pular it y of s o phist ic ate d imbibing
and t he histo r ic al impac t of suc h t rends.
M r. Wo ndr ic h’s st y le is e le gant , yet
c o l o r f ully- p oi gnant ,
al ways
ke eping
t he reader intere ste d in devour ing t he
up c o ming sentenc e.
T ho se o nly intere ste d in t he re c ip e s w ill
not be dis app o inte d, alt hough t he aut h o r
mi ght , sinc e t he b o ok c lear ly sh ows
how muc h wo r k went into mak ing it far
m o re t han a re c ip e c o lle c t i o n. T here
are punc he s fo r af ic i o nado s of A r r ac k,
B r andy, Rum, M ilk, W hiskey and G in.
Got
Got R
R um
um ?
? A
Ap
p ril
ril 2
20
01
13
3 -- 2
22
2
T his b o o k sh ould b e re quire d reading
fo r ser i ous bar tender s and h o st s, as it
he lps under st and t he o r i gin of many of
our m o der n dr ink ing t r adit i o ns, and als o
he lps p re ser ve t hem p ro p er ly.
A s if all t his were not enough, t he b o o k
als o gr at i f i e s t he imaginat i o n w it h it s
c lever se le c t i o n of imag e s, s o m e f r o m
fam ous museums, ot her s f ro m t he
aut h o r ’s p r ivate c o lle c t i o n.
T his has b e en o ne of t he m o st ref re shing
and info r mat ive b o o ks I ’ve had t he
p leasure of reading in re c ent t im e s. I
h o p e you enj oy it as muc h as I di d.
- M ar gar et Aya la
RUM & Cane POETRY
Cañal en Flor (Bloo ming Sug a rc an e Fi el d)
by A l f r e d o Es p i n o
Er a n m a r e s l o s c a ñ a l e s
qu e yo c o nte m p l a ba un día
(m i ba r c a d e f a nt asía
b o g a ba s o b r e e s o s m a r e s).
El c a ñ a l n o s e e n g ui r n a l da
c o m o l o s m a r e s, d e e s p um as;
sus f l o r e s m ás b i e n s o n p lum as
s o b r e e s p adas d e e s m e r a l da…
Lo s v i e nto s - ni ñ o s p e r ve r s o s ba j a n d e s d e l as m o nt a ñ as,
y s e oye n e nt r e l as c a ñ as
c o m o d e s h oj a n d o ve r s o s…
M i e nt r as e l h o m b r e e s i nf i e l,
t a n b u e n o s s o n l o s c a ñ a l e s,
p o r qu e te ni e n d o p uñ a l e s,
s e d e j a n r o ba r l a m i e l…
Y qu é t r i ste l a m o li e n da
aun qu e v u e l a p o r l a h ac i e n da
d e l a a l e g r ía e l t r o p e l,
p o r qu e d e st r oz a n e nt r a ñ as
l o s t r a p i c h e s y l as c a ñ as…
¡v i e r te n l á g r i m as d e m i e l!
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2 3
THE
Rum
UNIVERSITY
Mayo 20-21, Madrid, España
• Origen e Historia del Ron
• Clasificaciones del Ron
• Técnicas de Cata
• Alquimia moderna: Ron en Coctelería
• Historia, Tendencias y Técnicas de Coctelería de
Ron
Curso oficial de la Universidad del Ron
Reserve su espacio: info@UniversidadDelRon.com
Patrocinadores:
Got Rum?
TM
I n t e r nat iona l
RU M Con f e r e nc e
& Rum Ta s ting Com pe titi on
www.gotrum.com
Rum Club International
www.UniversidadDelRon.com
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2 4
ARTISAN SPIRIT \\
T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C R A F T D I S T I L L E R S A N D T H E I R FA N S
THE FUN HAS JUST BEGUN.
W W W. A R T I S A N S P I R I T M A G . C O M
G o t Ru m ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2 5
Pairing Tobacco & RUM
t hat was ver y dist inc t o n t he palate w it h
a me dium b o dy at t he end.
2013
B y Ph i l i p I l i B a r a ke , Ci g a r S o m m e l i e r
Boxing Night
Fo r t his pair ing I wante d to se e h ow t wo
ver y dist inc t r ums woul d pair up against
a c i gar of aver ag e intensit y. T his pair ing
unfo l ds as a b ox ing matc h, w here t wo
f i ghter s w it h dif ferent qualit i e s c o mp ete
to see w h o is t he last o ne st anding.
In t he blue c o r ner we had M o un t G ay
E x t r a O l d Ru m f ro m Bar bado s; t his r um
c o m e s f r o m t he o lde st r um dist iller y in
t he wo r l d, dat ing bac k to 170 3. T his r um
use s b ot h te c hni que s of dist illat i o n (p ot
st ill and c o nt inuous c o lumn st ills), b ot h
age d in oak bar rels f ro m Kentuc k y.
T his r um has c har ac ter ist ic note s of
toaste d bar re ls, a lit t le past t heir p r ime,
in my o pini o n, dur ing my init ial analysis.
It dem o nst r ate d so me note s of G uaiac o l
Got R um ? A p ril 2 0 1 3 - 2 6
A nd in t he re d c o r ner, we had a sup er
p remium r um f ro m G uyana f r o m t he
D em er ar a D ist ill er y.
T his r um is E l
D o r a d o S i n g l e B a r r e l EH P, t he se
ac ro ny ms c o r re sp o nd to Ed ward H enr y
Po r ter, founder of t he dist ill er y (st ill
using a wo o den C of fey S t ill). T his El
D o r ado of fer ing is an h o ne st r um: silk y,
ver y easy to sip neat , e sp e c ially w hen
c o mpare d to ot her r ums t hat are har sh
o n t he palate o r t hat have ag gre s sive
toaste d note s.
Li ght ing up t he c i gar was t he e quivalent
of “ r inging t he b e ll ” at t he b e ginning of
a f i ght . In t his c ase I c h o se a py r ami d
H . Up mann f ro m Cuba, b et ter k now n as
Upmann N ° 2, w it h a r ing gaug e of 52 and
15 6 mm in lengt h w hic h woul d give us a
f i ght of at least an h our.
W hile I was enj oy ing t he f ir st few puf f s of
t he c i gar s, as far as I was c o nc er ne d, I
g ot an exc e llent c irc ulat i o n w it h a uni que
t aste ver y dist inc t ive of t his br and, it was
t r uly an inc re dible py r ami d.
A s I b e gan to o bser ve h ow t he c i gar was
mi x ing w it h t he r um, I re c eive d a ver y
sh o c k ing sur p r ise: t he heav y note s of
toaste d oak (p re sent o n t he palate m o re
t han in t he no se) b e gan to dis app ear
and I found myse lf w it h a ver y p leasing
inter p lay of f lavo r s and aro mas, even
t h ough t he bur nt wo o d sc ent was
pre sent , it was quite enj oyable.
In t he c ase of t he El D o r ado S ingle Bar re l, it s e le ganc e
and f ine s se di d not give me a ver y g o o d st ar t w it h t he
c i gar. It was s o mew hat p lain, but not unp leas ant;
r at her it di d not dem o nst r ate an over all note.
T hen, t wo - t hirds of t he way into t he c i gar, t he
pair ing was quite c lear, t he c i gar had an exc e ll ent
bur n w it h out hav ing c hang e d muc h of it s aro mas,
w hile c o nt inuing to re sp e c t t he b r and ’s lineag e.
T he c i gar, all t he w hile, was b eing paire d w it h
t he M ount G ay E x t r a O l d, w it h it s subt le note s of
G uaiac o l w hic h were no l o ng er b ot her s o me and
tur ne d out to b e a nic e matc h w it h t he c i gar.
O n t he ot her hand, t he El D o r ado S ingle Bar re l
EH P c o nt inue d to sh ow it s t r ue e le ganc e,
unab le to reac h a hi gh te c hnic al level fo r
t he pair ing. T his, by no means, meant t hat
t his was a bad r um, o n t he c o nt r ar y, it was
an exc e llent p ro duc t t hat sh oul d b e sipp e d
neat and we ll re sp e c te d w hen ser ve d w it h a
single ic e c ub e. W it h out a doubt , t his r um
was o ne t hat c oul d b e c o nsume d sl ow ly w it h
no wo r r i e s t he re st of t he evening.
To w r ap t hings up, a pair ing is not a r ul e,
no r sh ould it b e w r it ten to b e t reate d as suc h.
O bser ve, se e just h ow t he “ par t ic ipant s” are do ing,
t wo so mew hat di f ferent r ums c o mp et ing against eac h
ot her in a pair ing t hat is not s o far- fetc he d and you w ill
see t hat o pini o ns w ill var y.
I bi d t hee farewell and I h o p e you w ill have t he o p p o r tunit y to o bt ain
t he se p ro duc t s so t hat you to o c an ex p er i enc e t his ama zing pair ing.
Philip Ili Bar ake
Ci gar S o mm e li er
Philip @G ot Rum.c o m
GGoott Ru
Rum
m?? AAppril
ril 22001133 -- 2277
Rum Runner Press, Inc.
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