Endangered Rums

Our friend Dave Russell from the RumGallery.com chimes in with more commentary on rare rums.  Here’s his take on Botran 1893.

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Botran 1893
by Dave Russell

Botran Solera 1893 – The shapely teardrop decanter always elicits a hushed “Whoa” of anticipation whenever it’s introduced at rum tastings.  Sadly, the collectible perfume-like bottle is gone, replaced by a heavy, more conventionally shaped piece of glass that’s more substantial in heft if not in artistry.  Aside from the package though, the rum inside is the same exquisite spirit.

Botran Solera offers a delicate caramel aroma, coupled with golden raisin, a hint of dried apricot tart-fruit, and a slight oaken vanilla foundation, leaving traces of almond nutmeg aromas till the end. This solera-style delicacy is aged in a variety of oak barrels, some used once for maturing American bourbon, still others were used to age Port or Sherry.   Portions of many barrels containing different vintages have been periodically and sequentially blended together over the years.   Younger rums are combined with progressively older ones until the desired age and flavor is achieved. Only then is the rum ready for bottling.

If clothes make the man, then Botran’s top shelf rum has been dressed for success in its masculine new bottle.  And if you stumble across the old tear drop bottle, buy it and behold. $38

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To read more from Dave, tune in to the Rum Gallery.

More Pusser’s 15

Pusser’s 15 will soon be available in greater quantity, capitalizing on the global demand for premium aged spirits.

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Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum, the rare, aged version of the rich-flavored, original Admiralty rum dating back to 1655, is available in larger quantities this month in both American and international liquor stores, hotels, restaurants and bars.

Coming on the heels of several recent double gold medal awards (NYC and London) coupled with strong demand for nobler, super premium spirits and after-dinner beverages, Pusser’s  wooden pot-stilled navy rum is going to be made available in larger quantities to its American and international distributors.

“Many consumers first taste rum through cocktails and fruit drinks like the daiquiri or the Mojito,” says a spokesperson for the multiple award-winning Pusser’s rum, “but soon after they learn to appreciate dark rum as an exquisite, sipping drink whose flavor, nobility and smoothness remain unmatched by other after-dinner beverages.”

Pusser’s Rum LTD is currently in the process of establishing the storied beverage as a powerful adversary to single malt scotches and other after-dinner drinks preferred by the discerning consumer. Moreover, cigar smokers, and cigar bar owners, are discovering the unique relationship between the two products. “When you think about it, rum and cigars are complementary, as both are products of the same tropical, humid area, so it’s natural to acknowledge the affinity one has for the other”.

For more information on the company’s mission and curren offerings, visit their website. http://www.pussersrum.com/aged-15-year/.

Awards
Double Gold Winner, The Spirits Business, Rum Masters 2013
Double Gold Winner, The Fifty Best, New York 2012
Gold Medal Winner, IWSC International Wine and Spirits Competition, 2011
Gold Winner, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2005
Double Gold Winner, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2003
Gold Medal Winner, Best Dark Rum, London 2001

 

Rum & Contemporary Cuisine

World’s first interactive rum cookbook goes head to head with TV Chefs and outdated paper cookbooks. Read on…

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Home cooking no longer means missing or food stained pages in cookbooks, lost recipes, endless pause and rewind of TV chefs as watchers desperately scribble down ingredients. No longer does it mean disappointed faces when the dish served looks nothing like the picture. Instead, the world’s first interactive rum cookbook merges the traditional cookbook, TV cooking and the eBook to solve the biggest headaches faced by home chefs today. All the while having fun and being entertained.

“Imagine a TV and cookbook combined into one” says co-founder of the International Rum Council, Carlton Grooms. “You can stop it, back up, read, watch and listen to everything as many times as you wish and at the touch of a button. You can even take notes. Simply pull up the recipe you desire on your iPad and whether a novice cook or experienced chef you get step by step instructions in words, pictures and video until you have a perfect meal ready to wow your guests” he continues. “This approach makes cooking fun and engaging, puts an end to cumbersome cookbooks, and best of all it lets even those who ‘can’t fry an egg’ look like a Master Chef!”

Rum is the fastest growing spirit sector in the world with a long and colorful history in kitchens around the world. Plus with over a decade since a serious rum cookbook was released there is pent up demand for this resource. Moreover with explosion in iPads, Kindles and other eReaders this breakthrough interactive rum cookbook will change home cooking forever. Whether young or old, a rum lover or not, cooks of all abilities can read, see and hear exactly how to create the high quality recipes they wish to. Something traditional cookbooks and TV cooking shows promised – but couldn’t deliver.

Entitled ‘Rum and Contemporary Cuisine’ and co-authored by the ever creative Chef Geoffrey Blythe; this interactive and enhanced eBook will be available in pre-sale on April 1st from the Apple iBook store. For more information and to experience this breakthrough book in action right now, visit the book website at http://www.rumcuisine.com.

‘Rum and Contemporary Cuisine’ is co-authored by Carlton Grooms and Geoffrey Blythe. Mr Grooms is the co-founder of The International Rum Council and Chef Blythe is a nationally acclaimed culinarian with experience in Washington DC, San Francisco, and the James Beard House in New York. Together they are helping people all over the world cook the highest quality rum inspired cuisine in the comfort of their homes and professional kitchens.

Hey Bartender

Following a big showing at the SXSW Film Festival, everybody is talking about Hey Bartender.  Check out the trailer.

Malibu Island Spiced

There’s a rum for everybody.  If you’re looking for one of the low-cal spiced variety, Malibu has you covered.

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Malibu has announced that they are entering the spiced rum segment with the launch of Malibu Island Spiced – the first lower calorie, spiced option to appear on retail shelves and back bars throughout the country.

Malibu Island Spiced combines Malibu’s signature blend of Caribbean rum and coconut liqueur with light spices, smoked vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of natural sweetener. The result is a lower calorie, full-flavored spiced rum alternative perfect for social, on the-go women who seek low calorie drink options that don’t sacrifice flavor.

“Nearly half of spiced rum drinkers are women,” noted Lisa McCann, Brand Director for Malibu, Pernod Ricard USA. “But most spiced rum brands communication is directed to men. Malibu understands women and is actively talking to this increasingly important segment – 66% of Malibu shoppers are women. Malibu Island Spiced addresses the growing demand among adult women for cocktails that taste great and offer the perfect  balance between sweetness and strength without packing on the calories. We are excited to enter the growing spiced segment and be first-to-market with a lower calorie alternative. It’s a double win for Malibu.”

Malibu is supporting the launch of Island Spiced with an aggressive digital and social media marketing plan as well as retail and on-premise activation aimed at generating interest and trial among adult women consumers.

Malibu Island Spiced, 30% ABV and 70 calories/serving, will be available in 1.75L, 1L, 750ml, 375ml and 50ml sizes and will retail for a suggested price of $16.99/750ml.

One Love

Among the most legendary water holes in the Caribbean, One Love Bar & Grill is a must visit. Who’s been?

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Check ’em out right here.

Bacardi’s Cuban Heritage

Bacardi launches a new marketing campaign, “Vivimos,” in celebration of the brand’s storied origins in Cuba.

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A pioneer in rum-making and key player in Cuba’s fight for independence starting in the late 1800s, Bacardi rum’s founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó and other revolutionary family members including Emilio Bacardí, brought ground-breaking change to the rum industry and to Cuba despite endless challenges. Bacardi’s new ad campaign will drive consumer awareness and excitement while reinforcing the brand’s rich heritage at a time when authenticity and masculinity are key themes among target consumers.

The campaign’s TV and digital films were directed by filmmaker Jake Scott and depict stories that were inspired by actual historical events that shaped the brand. The television spot “Cuba Libre” takes place during a time of political unrest in Cuba in the late 19th Century, when the country was fighting for freedom from Spain. Scott used this historical backdrop to shape his story on how the Cuba Libre is the original cocktail of freedom.

“Bacardi is a company with proud Cuban roots and courageous founders. This campaign celebrates their irrepressible spirit with the goal of inspiring men of today to live as boldly and passionately as they did,” said Toby Whitmoyer, vice president and brand managing director, rum category, at Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Created in 1900 by American soldiers gathered in Old Havana to celebrate the end of the Spanish-American War, the original Cuba Libre is a refreshing mix of Bacardi rum, cola and lime. For more than 112 years, the Cuba Libre has been enjoyed and remains one of the world’s favorite cocktails.

Following the Bacardi 150th anniversary celebration in 2012, “Vivimos” builds on consumer curiosity and the momentum surrounding the brand heritage. OW, the boutique agency who oversees brand and creative strategy, created all of the campaign creative assets to share with consumers additional elements of the Bacardi story.