S - Drum Circle Distilling

Why the world comes to Sarasota
©
BOATYARD
WATERFRONT
BAR & GRILL
THE HIGH-TECH
ART OF
PETER STANICK
Waterfront dining that
does not disappoint...
He is a master of the
Pop Art style...
Read more on page 8
Read more on page 29
Paddleboard Rentals On Siesta Key
2 Hours $20
w/this ad!
941-349-8500
GetOnBoardSiestaKey.com
NOVEMBER 2014 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
The Man Behind Siesta Key’s Signature Rum
By Diana Colson
Troy Roberts is the founder/CEO and
Head Distiller of Drum Circle Distilling, a
Sarasota company which creates handcrafted
enthusiasm of a pirate.
In his former life in the corporate world
Drinks of Siesta Key, Siesta Key is famous worldwide.
There are two drinks that carry the Siesta Key name,
both are exceptional.
Read more about Siesta Key Soda on page 18.
The 2014
Siesta Key
Crystal Classic
See Page 25
Light up the Village
and
Holiday Parade
See Page 36
dream of whiling away the hours sitting on
the beach waiting for the sun to set, a rumearly years had been spent on the beaches of
Sarasota.
He went away from home, as kids so
often do, and took a few side trips before his
and another as a sailor in Santa Cruz. He
becoming a store owner in Portland Oregon.
of hard work at Compuwear Corporation,
Management. Through all those boxed-in
Big Month for Events on Siesta Key
Sandfest Party, Crystal Classic Sand
Sculpting competition and Light Up
Annual Crystal Classic
Master Sand Sculpting
Competition
software years he kept dreaming
of returning to the beaches of
Sarasota, staring at those highdrama sunsets, and sipping one
more cup of liquid magic.
Troy bailed out of the
corporate rat race in 1999, and
sports car fans. They were quite
successful, and he sold them in
2007 to a bigger company.
He had returned to Sarasota
in 2003 to kick off his shoes and
walk barefoot once again on the
the way he reconnected with
his high school sweetheart, the
he is now engaged. Troy had four
now blended together.
With the sports car websites sold, Troy
found himself with time and money on his
hands. He had an abundance of energy, and
it happened that he liked to bake. Rum cakes
the idea of starting a rum cake company.
Continued on page 19
Siesta Key Beach improvements
top Key upgrades By Roger Drouin
Siesta Key Beach’s new east
concession building is being
Photo Credit: Sweet Sparkman Architects
Sandfest Party
Chamber Sandfest 2014 Hoedown
Party at the Siesta Key Beach
dancing and “gourmet” cowboy
restaurants.
Cost is $25 per person for
members, and $30 for non-members.
So wear your best cowboy hat and
boots and come on down for some
country grub and entertainment.
to be a spectacular experience
watching sand sculptures rise from
the sands on Siesta beach.
Our Siesta Key sand is considered
the best natural beach sand for
sculpting because of its unique
composition which consists of 99%
quartz crystals.
Twenty-four of the ‘‘TOP”
master sculptors from around the
world will compete for $15,000 in
The structure will include a
offering what Sarasota County Public
won’t be bad either, considering the
building will bring an air of modern
architecture to Siesta’s public beach.
The $21.5 million Siesta Beach Park
constructed in phases, will also bring
a second concession node, expanded
TITLE”.
Continued on page 27
canopies—all constructed in the same
Rendering of the shade canopies to be added
Continued on page 30
Independent Computer Store Continues to Flourish after 25 Years
In an age where customer
service has taken a back
seat to business practices
that favor automated voice
messaging systems or
offer subpar service due
to cutbacks, it’s refreshing
to come across a business
that’s built their reputation
on a customer-focused approach.
Co-owners of Discount Computers, Inc.,
Amelia and Doug Manning have developed
a strong customer base over the past 25 years
doing just that – answering questions and
providing
exceptional
customer service. That’s
quite an accomplishment
when you consider all the
big box computer stores
that have come and gone.
It’s telling when you
get third and fourth-time
buyers.
That doesn’t
something right - that something includes
perks such as their FREE and unlimited
“Lifetime” education, a service department
MEET OUR
BARTENDER OF THE
MONTH - PHILLIP
Page 23
second to none, and being an environmentally
You can call or stop in during business
hours (Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
knowing one of the owners or one of their
expert staff will be on hand to trouble-shoot
any problems you’ve encountered.
At Discount Computers, Inc., they
recognize the IT market is constantly evolving
so stay up-to-date with the latest trends and
information. They willingly share their
combined deep database of knowledge with
their customers. And, their mantra of “Your
local computer store with excellent service”
keeps them focused on what is important.
been with them from the start, it doesn’t
matter if your computer is old or new,
Discount Computers, Inc., has no expiration
date on that customer-centered, small
business feel they provide their patrons. This
must be what keeps consumers coming back
for more.
Discount Computers, Inc.
6524 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
941-925-2215
www.dcisrq.com
NOTES FROM THE
ISLAND FISHMONGER
“ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION” Page 21
LOCAL MAPS & INFORMATION
WHO’S PLAYING
TONIGHT
Page 22
See Page 17
The Man Behind Siesta Key’s Signature Rum
Continued from cover story
Rum cakes were soon left behind
when Troy zeroed in on making his own
rum. Under the banner of Drum Circle
Distilling, he purchased a still, and
began to experiment with the creation
of Siesta Key Rum. The beautiful smallbatch still he purchased was customdesigned and crafted, and incorporated
Batch 2 barrels were originally used
Clarke had a background in computers,
COO of Drum Circle Distilling, and
responsible for administering the
business on a day-to-day basis. Ryan
sports car websites with Troy Roberts
in the late 90’s. Today he’s in charge of
to his frequent samplings of Siesta Key
Rums.
by many lower-priced distilleries, Troy
made certain only real ingredients were
used in Siesta Key rums. The resulting
He soon was producing what the Miami
New Times
rum in the world.”
Drum Circle Distilling. He bought only
yeast, local honey, real spices and fresh
toasted coconut. By 2010, the business
had taken off, and he took on two
partners, both longtime friends. Tom
Roberts, Troy’s Dad, who acts as Chief
Engineer. He’s known as the man who
can build almost anything, including
the barrel racks and tasting room. Jim
was a champion formula car racer in his
both sail and motor boats.
room, labels bottles, creates art, works
as a design consultant, walks the beach,
planned in March, 2015.
different, each batch of this rum has its
released in the fall of 2014. The barrels
Siesta Key Spiced Rum garnering the
most prizes. Cooking Light magazine
has called it “Dangerously Drinkable.”
Wine Enthusiast magazine awarded it
91 points, and labeled it as “Best Buy.”
Garden and Gun magazine called it
“as smooth as beach glass.” Caribbean
Journal
rum made in Sarasota continues to
amaze.”
Blend ages in barrels in a traditional
solera method, meaning that the oldest
barrel. The result is unique special
cinnamon,
caramel.
pumpkin,
nutmeg
and
Rum is the result of collaborations with
craft brewers. Each batch has spent time
age craft beers. Since the barrels are all
City Brewing where they held a Belgian
Rum. These barrels were then loaned
to JDub’s Brewing where they held
back at Drum Circle Distilling
where they are putting a Beer
Spiced Rum.
bring out its wonderful color and
You can try all these products
out at The Drum Circle Distilling
sampling and tours.
www.drumcircledistilling.com
HEALTH & FITNESS
Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ............... Map-D #10
Siesta Key Fitness .............................
Studio Rubylakes ............................... Map-B #49
ICE CREAM/TREATS
Big Olaf Creamery..............................Map-C #52
..........................................Map-C #50
Siesta Key Sweet Shop ........................ Map-D #9
SubZero Ice Cream Yogurt .............. Map-D #16
..............Map-C #53
INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES
................................ Map-D #65
Internet Cafe ........................................ Map-D #9
Lelu Coffee Lounge............................ Map-B #31
The Local Bean................................... Map-D #62
JEWELRY
.....................................Map-C #51
..................... Map-B #29
...............
LIQUOR STORES / FINE WINES
...................... Map-D #70
............................................. Map-B #33
Siesta Key Wines ..............................
The Beach Club .................................. Map-D #22
941-554-4242
MAILING - SHIPPING
UPS store ............................................
.................................... Map-D #65
MARKETS/FOOD STORES
7-11 Store ............................................. Map-B #46
Circle K Store ........................................ Map-E #6
Siesta Market.......................................Map-C #25
MASSAGE
Hands of Light Massage ................... Map-B #35
Massage Experience Siesta Key.....
Massage Therapy ................................. Map-E #1
Siesta Key Massage Ctr .....................
MEDICAL - DENTAL
Dr. Barry LaClair MD ........................Map-C #56
E.K. Koster DMD............................... Map-D #63
.......................Map-C #56
Sarasota Medical Ctr ......................... Map-D #63
Siesta Key Physical Therapy............ Map-D #20
Siesta Smiles Dentistry ...................... Map-B #49
MISCELLANEOUS
Chamber of Commerce .................... Map-D #67
Roberti Enterprises ...........................
..................................... Map-D #9
..............Map-C #50
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
CG Designs ..........................................
..............
................................. Map-E #74
REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES
......................... Map-D #11
Coldwell Banker Realty.................... Map-D #20
Horizon Realty.................................... Map-B #34
Island Homes ......................................Map-C #51
Key Realty ............................................
Michael Saunders Realty .................
.................. Map-D #60
ReMax Tropical Sands ...................... Map-D #67
Robasota Rentals & Real Estate ....
Siesta Key Realty ................................. Map-D #9
Waterside Realty ................................Map-C #29
Bringing you
quality and
comfort
for more than
30 years!
Birkenstock & More
5128 Ocean Blvd. Siesta Village
941-346-7425
www.rickscomfortshoes.com
Map C #53
RESTAURANTS
314 II, Craft Beer board Room ..........
.................
Beach Bites.........................................
Blase Café ...........................................
Blu Que Island Grill ........................
..........................Map-C #47
................................... Map-D #71
Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar ..............
Eat Here Restaurant ....................
................. Map-B #29
............... Map-B #30
............. Map-B #33
Jo To’s Japanese Restaurant ..............Map-C #47
LeLu’s Coffee Bar ............................... Map-B #31
Lobster Pot .........................................
...............Map-C #53
.................. Map-E #2
Señor Siesta ........................................ Map-D #69
Siesta Key Oyster Bar .......................
Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria ................... Map-D #15
Subway Sandwiches .......................... Map-B #30
............................... Map-D #19
The Cottage .........................................
.......................... Map-D #59
Village Café .......................................
SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY
.........................................Map-C #50
Salon Capelli ........................................ Map-D #9
Sassy Hair Salon...............................
................................... Map-D #9
...................................... Map-D #9
SPORTS INTEREST/RENTALS
........................................... Map-B #32
Robin Hood Rentals ........................
.....................Map-C #53
ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC
19