2013 CAB Awards

The Caribbean Alcohol Beverage Tasting Competition was held last week during the 4th annual Rum & Beer Festival in Grenada. The winners are…

White Rum
GOLD – Westerhall 12 Degrees Rum (Westerhall Estate Ltd, Grenada)
SILVER – Appleton White (Appleton Estate, Jamaica)
BRONZE – Clarke’s Court Superior White Rum (Grenada Distillers Ltd, Grenada)

Overproof Rum
GOLD – Clarke’s Court Pure White Rum (Grenada Distillers Ltd, Grenada)
SILVER – Westerhall White Jack Rum (Westerhall Estate Ltd, Grenada)
BRONZE – Westerhall Jack Iron (Westerhall Estate Ltd, Grenada)

Flavored Rum
GOLD – Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum (West Indies Rum Distillery)
SILVER – Clarke’s Court Mojito Rum (Grenada Distillers Ltd, Grenada)
BRONZE – Siesta Key Spiced Rum (Drum Circle Distilling, USA)

Rum Punch
GOLD – VSRP Rum Punch (Cutters, Barbados)
SILVER – XM Estate Royal Mango Rum Punch (Banks DIH Ltd, Guyana)
BRONZE – Angostura Rum Punch (Angostura Distillers, Trinidad & Tobago)

Gold Rum
GOLD – 4th Umpire (Aone, Barbados)
SILVER – Westerhall Superb Light (Westerhall Estate Ltd, Grenada)
BRONZE – Ron Abuelo Anejo (Varela Hermanos, Panama)

Aged Rum (5 – 9 years)
GOLD – Westerhall Vintage Rum (Westerhall Estate Ltd, Grenada)
SILVER – Borgoe 8 Year Old Rum (SAB, Suriname)
BRONZE – Captain Bligh XO (St Vincent Distillery, St Vincent)

Aged Rum (10 – 14 years)
GOLD – XM Royal 10 Year Old Rum (Banks DIH Ltd, Guyana)
SILVER – XM Special 12 Year Old Rum (Banks DIH Ltd, Guyana)
BRONZE – Cockspur VSOR Rum (West Indies Rum Distillery, Barbados)

Aged Rum (15 years and over)
GOLD – Borgoe 15 Year Old Rum (SAB, Suriname)
SILVER – XM Supreme 15 Year Old Rum (Banks DIH Ltd, Guyana)
BRONZE – Ron Matusalem 15 Solera Rum (Ron Matusalem, Dominican Republic)

Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival 2013

The annual Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival is heading back to Grenada this weekend!

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imageWith Grenada debuting as the host country last year, the Festival organizers are excited to return to the ‘Spice Isle.’ According to the Festival Director Ms. Cheryl Collymore, the reasons for once again choosing Grenada were clear. She noted that “It really comes down to being back by popular demand. We have been overwhelmed by the response from last year’s exhibitors, rum and beer expert judges, sponsors, and visitors all imploring us to return to Grenada.”

The Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival is an enticing mixture of rum and beer exhibitors from across the region, product sampling, an annual CAB Tasting Competition, master classes on rum and beer, as well as Caribbean music and food. Since its launch in Barbados in 2010 the festival has proved to be increasingly popular both with exhibitors and visitors.

The festival organizers, Azure Management Services, are promising that the 2013 Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival will be the best yet. Operations Director Dr. Glyn Williams added “We get some of the world’s finest rum and beers on offer at the festival; they represent the Caribbean region at its best. To compliment these great products we plan to create an entertainment package of equal value.”

Recognizing the growing power of social media, Azure Management has engaged the services of a Miami based social media marketing company to create an innovative marketing campaign aligned to the target audience for the festival and Grenada

The blue ribbon event of the Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival will be the 2013 CAB Tasting Competition. Submitted rum and beers will be subjected to a blind tasting evaluation by a leading team of experts in the rum and beer industry. Over 10 international expert judges will travel to Grenada specifically to be a part of the event. The gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to winners are a tribute to the world class beverage products of the Caribbean.

The festival schedule for the 2013 Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival includes; a gala charity silent auction to raise funds for the Grenada based Queen Elizabeth Home (QEH) for children, as well as the annual Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival golf tournament which will be held at the Grenada Golf Club on the final day of the festival.

For more information, check out the event website. (www.rumandbeerfestival.com)

Pirate’s Cove

Occasionally you stumble upon a bar that just has it all.  For me that means location, friendly staff and good drinks.  It didn’t take long to find several of those places here in Grenada.  Everyone is friendly, the drinks are always well made and there’s usually a stunning view of the beach or mountains to check out.  But there’s one particular place up the street from Rum Connection Headquarters that has become a regular stop for happy hour and chill time.  Here’s why…

The spot is called Pirate’s Cove and it sits far up on a hill overlooking both Grand Anse Beach and Morne Rouge Bay.  It is on the third floor of an attractive building and takes some effort to get to.  First walk up the steep road from Grand Anse Beach, then up a steep hill from that road, climb three flights of stairs and you’re there. Once you’ve made it and you catch your breath, the panoramic view is a quick reminder of why you made the effort.  The veranda that runs the entire length of the bar is a perfect place to sit, enjoy the breeze, take in the view and just relax.

The drinks here are good too.  On an island that prides itself on serving a mean rum punch, Pirate’s Cove is a contender for one of the better ones we’ve had.  Their recipe uses Clark’s Court Light and Dark rum, lime juice, cherry juice, bitters, some secret ingredients and fresh ground nutmeg.  Be sure to have one.

Beers and rum drinks are on special during Happy Hour for $5ec, that’s roughly $2us.  Add to that some really great food at a decent price, a friendly staff and I’m officially calling this place a winner.

Here’s the problem.  I’ve been to this bar several times over the last few weeks and I am always the only one there.  Having a special bar where you can always score a bar stool is one thing, but business this lean cannot be sustainable.  So, to our Grenadian readers as well as anyone planning to visit the island, go spend some money at this place.  You will absolutely love it and your support will ensure the long lasting success of my new neighborhood hangout.

Cheers!

Pirate’s Cove Restaurant & Bar
at The Grand View Inn
Grand Anse, Grenada
473-444-2342
www.grenadagrandview.com

Bundy Turns 125

The Bundaberg Rum Company celebrates their 125th anniversary with a new limited edition premium rum.

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imageBundaberg will satisfy their legion of loyal collectors with another limited edition bottling later this month. This time they are celebrating an impressive milestone, the 125th anniversary of the company’s founding.

The launch of Bundaberg 125th Anniversary Rum is said to represent the pinnacle of all the company has achieved in 125 years and celebrates the distillery’s long-spanning history of “expert craftsmanship, ingenious thinking, determination and collaboration.”

This limited edition offering will consist of a restricted fill-run of only 1888 numbered bottles in a nod to the company’s birth date in 1888.

The initial offering of Bundy’s 125th Anniversary Rum will be from their company store in Queensland, Australia followed by a wider release on the distillery’s birthday, November 22nd.

“As Australia’s favourite rum brand, we want to mark this momentous milestone by giving back to all of the people who have helped take Bundaberg Rum to where it is today,” marketing manager at Bundaberg Rum, Andrew Oughton, said. “Through BDC 125th Anniversary Rum, we hope to offer Bundy enthusiasts an exceptional liquid, fit to parallel the exceptional passion and loyalty we’ve seen from our customers over the past 125 years.”

The Bundaberg 125th Anniversary Rum contains a unique blend of the brand’s oldest and rarest rums up to 35 years old. It is layered with delicate hints of honey, caramel, spice and has a long, smooth finish. It will be available in two sizes, 700ml and 125ml, from November 23rd.

The 700ml edition features a crystal decanter, two stunning crystal tumblers and a handcrafted walnut wooden casing, while the 125mL bottle is set in a striking cherry wood frame.

The 700ml bottle will be available first from the company store and then selected retailers for $1,250. The 125mL bottle will be available from the company store for $125. 3000 125ml bottles will be produced.

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Angostura Cask Collection

Angostura has announced the launch of No. 1, the first in a new series of limited edition rums.

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imageAged in special casks and bottled at 40%, No.1 is the first rum to be released in Angostura’s new Cask Collection. The entire offering is dedicated to “specialty barrel” rums.

The first blend of Angostura No. 1 is made from hand selected rums aged 10 to 12 years. It is then left to mature for an additional year in first fill Bourbon casks at their aging facility in Trinidad.

A multi-national release of No. 1 rolled out in the UK last month with an initial offering of just 20 cases. There will be fewer than 10,000 bottles available globally with upcoming releases in the US and parts of Asia.

Alison Gibb, Angostura International Brand Manager, comments, “It’s the first Angostura premium rum to be aged in our first fill Bourbon barrels and we are confident that this initial interest will continue to grow as the collection expands.”

Angostura has long been a household name known for their iconic Aromatic Bitters, but they have also been creating a strong reputation for themselves in the rum world. They are a distilling powerhouse with several popular brands under their own name and supply bulk rum to countless boutique brands around the world.

Angostura No. 1 is available in specialty liquor shops for $60.