From the Editor
Sweet Analogies
Luis Ayala
My rum consulting clients, as well as, the students who have taken my Rum University classes, know very well that I love analogies. They are one of my preferred ways to explain new or complex topics to audiences that are unfamiliar with the material.
Fortunately for me, fermentation, distillation, aging, blending, bottling marketing, etc., are all activities that have much in common with natural processes, which gives me access to an almost infinite number of analogies. Sugarcane, however, I find particularly fascinating and inspiring, partly because I’ve spent decades studying it and working with it, but also because of its impact on humanity as a whole.
September has finally arrived, and, in the Southern USA, this means that the start of sugarcane harvest is right around the corner. But producing sugarcane is a complex process that involves more than just harvesting the cane when it reaches maturity: seedcane needs to be constantly re-introduced, to replace old cane that no longer produces the expected yields. This means that commercial farmers must devote a percentage of their land to cultivate seedcane that is destined to be planted, rather than processed and sold. Harvesting seedcane therefore is a costly endeavor, but one that must be incorporated into the business plan of successful operations. As much as a quarter of a farmer’s land may be devoted to ensuring their availability of seedcane!
How much of your resources (time, energy, money) do you earmark to ensure your ability to “operate” as the person you are and want to continue to be? Much like a cane farmer who neglects to produce seedcane for his sugarcane fields, we humans will also pay the price when we neglect to set aside reserves we need to continue to function properly.Even old age, like old soil, can still be fertile and productive, given the right amount of care, amendments/nutrition and planning,Take care of your personal “soil” so the fruit of your labor never dries up.
Cheers!
Luis Ayala,
Editor and Publisher