April 2016 - Rum In The News

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April 2016 - Rum In The News

LAMB’S RUM

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited and Pernod Ricard UK Ltd. (PRUK) announced that they have entered into an agreement providing PRUK the exclusive right to represent Lamb’s® rum in Great Britain as of July 1, 2016, upon termination of the existing third-party representation agreement, for a five year period to June 30, 2021. Pernod Ricard S.A. wholly owns PRUK and indirectly owns in excess of 50% of the issued and outstanding Voting Class A Common Shares of Corby and is considered to be both Corby’s and PRUK’s ultimate parent. The recipe for Lamb’s rum dates back to 1849 when Alfred Lamb established his business in London, England, distilling fine rums from the highest quality Caribbean sugar cane. Today, Lamb’s Navy, Lamb’s White, Lamb’s Spiced and Lamb’s Cherry Spiced rums are available in Great Britain. “I’m very pleased that Corby is entering into this new relationship with PRUK and am excited to work with the PRUK management team to build upon the long history of Lamb’s in this core market. Partnering with PRUK will allow Lamb’s to benefit from PRUK’s well-established distribution network and strong relationships with both off-and on-trade customers, thereby positioning the brand to drive profitability and increase market share,” noted Patrick O’Driscoll, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corby. “We appreciate Halewood International’s efforts in representing Lamb’s for the last eight years and now look forward to the future with PRUK.”

BACARDI

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. announces it has renewed a multi-year distribution agreement with Horizon Beverage for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Effective April 1, the exclusive agreement includes the sales and distribution of the entire premium portfolio of Bacardi brands including BACARDÍ®, GREY GOOSE ®, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE ®, DEWAR’S®, MARTINI ® and ANGEL’S ENVY®, among other leading brands and labels in these two states. “Horizon Beverage is a name that represents family, trust and exceptional service among Massachusetts and Rhode Island retailers,” says Pete Carr, regional president for Bacardi – North America. “Bacardi is proud to extend our long-standing partnership with of significant capabilities, scope and dedication for Bacardi in these two markets.” Horizon’s selling divisions in these two key U.S. markets will provide an excellent plat form for the world class brands of Bacardi. This renewal is part of the Bacardi route-to-market strategy to improve efficiency and effectiveness while presenting an attractive portfolio of category leading products for customers. “We are excited to continue our 80-year relationship with this dynamic organization and remain committed to working closely with the Bacardi team to deliver long-term brand growth in our markets,” adds Sam Rubenstein Managing Director, Horizon Beverage.

In an ongoing effort to defend its rights and ownership of the Havana Club rum brand and trademark in the United States, Bacardi has filed an amended complaint with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. This filing amends the original complaint Bacardi filed in March 2004 under the Lanham Act (also known as the Trademark Act of 1946), the federal statute that governs trademarks, service marks, and unfair competition. The Defendants in the complaint are Cuba export, an agency of the Cuban government, and Havana Club Holding S.A., the joint venture company between the Government of Cuba and Pernod Ricard – the second largest spirits company in the world. With this filing, Bacardi asks the Court – presided over by District Judge Emmet Sullivan – for the cancellation of the Cuban government’s Havana Club trademark registration in the U.S Patent & Trademark Office (“PTO”) based on, among other things, the Administration’s fraud in obtaining the original filing. Bacardi also seeks a declaration that it has common law rights in the mark based on distribution and sales of Havana Club branded products in the United States. Bacardi obtained the rights to the mark through a lawful and U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) - licensed transaction with the brands original owner and creator Jose Arechabala S.A.

MONTANYA RUM

Montanya Oro and Platino rums are now available in wider distribution in New York and New Jersey and recently entered Tennessee, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota, bringing total distribution to 44 states, plus seven countries. The newest distributors that will be working with Montanya are VOS Selections in New York and New Jersey; Aleksey Imports in Tennessee; BevMark in Montana; Northwest Vintage in Wyoming and Cask and Cork in North and South Dakota.

RUM:30

Rum:30 is the creation of Fred Greene and Cameron Grace, two Fort Lauderdale locals and marketing executives. The development of Rum:30 comes as a response to rum’s increasing popularity, along with a desire to make a craft rum that captures the spirit of Florida. “It’s long been said that rum has been overdue for its time in the spotlight, and what we wanted to do was to create a Craft Rum that captured the spirit of Florida in a bottle,” said Fred Greene. “We wanted a spirit that was sophisticated yet relaxed - Rum:30 is great for sipping neat or on the rocks, or enjoyed in one of our unique concoctions. We’re extremely excited to be debuting Rum:30 at the 2016 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America convention in Las Vegas this April.” Classically aged in white American oak and uniquely infused with a hint of freshly cut orange peels, Rum:30 offers a subtle orange aroma and a complexity of flavors that gives it a relaxed Floridian vibe. Along with local Florida sugar cane and spring water, Rum:30 is all the flavors one craves bottled up in a mid century modern lifestyle package that mirrors the sophisticated and unique nature of the craft spirits market.

PIRATES GROG No. 13

Pirate’s Grog, a small independent rum firm in Hackney, London has added a limited bottling (only 777 pieces) of 13 year rum called Pirate’s Grog No. 13. It is from the island of Roatán off the coast of Honduras and will be proofed at 40% ABV. Housed in an award winning bottle and boasting a premium label design and packaging, it’s easy to see why Pirate’s Grog No.13 is already grabbing the attention of rum enthusiasts around the globe.

ST. LUCIA DISTILLERS

Saint Lucia Distillers Group of Companies (SLD) has been acquired by Martinique conglomerate Group Bernard Hayot (GBH). Founded in 1960, GBH has a number of businesses through the French overseas departments including Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Reunion and New Caledonia, as well as other enterprises based in Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, West Africa, China, Morocco and Algeria. The group currently employs in excess of 8,500 people and is concentrated in three divisions: automotive distribution, retail/wholesale distribution and industrial production. GBH owns two successful distilleries in Martinique – Rhum Clément and Rhum J.M. The acquisition of SLD brings together two established traditions of rum making – Rhum Agricole and molasses based – into one portfolio. GBH intends to put in place a comprehensive investment program for St. Lucia Distiller’s production and warehousing facilities. SLD’s commitment to traditional artisanal rum, made to the highest possible standards, will remain at the center of its philosophy and will therefore mirror the same ethos employed by Rhum Clément and Rhum J.M. The management and staff of St. Lucia Distillers will all be retained under the new ownership and the management structure will remain unchanged. SLD will continue to use its existing export market distributors, but will also tap into the distribution network of GBH’s other brands, which will facilitate the continued expansion of Chairman’s Reserve, Admiral Rodney and 1931 into the global markets.

RON ZACAPA

Diageo-owned Guatemalan rum brand Ron Zacapa has launched Zacapa Edición Negra into the global travel retail channel. Inspired by traditional Mayan rituals, this slow-aged artisanal rum is a true expression of Guatemalan heritage and culture. The story behind ZACAPA EDITIÓN NEGRA starts from the ground up; where time slows down to create a rum of impeccable quality and complexity. From the sugar cane of the volcano shadowed lowlands, to the ageing process in the House Above the Clouds - 2300 meters above sea level - the magic slowly takes place bringing to life ZACAPA’S philosophy of taking the time required to create meaningful and pleasurable experiences in life. Zacapa Edicíon Negra has been aged in double charred, American oak casks, said to result in a dark rum with a “smoky intensity”. The noage-statement blend is intended to showcase a different Zacapa palette from Zacapa 23, the expression created from rums aged between six and 23 years. Zacapa Edicíon Negra was produced by master blender Lorena Vasquez, who is known for developing the brand’s Sisterna solera ageing system.

Peter Fair brother, marketing director, Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME ), said: “In our quest to provide travel retail customers and shoppers with new and different drinking experiences, the Diageo GTME team is thrilled to introduce Zacapa Edicíon Negra – a truly exciting innovation in the luxury rum category. Delivering a bolder, new flavor inspired by the powerful, natural landscape of Guatemala, Zacapa Edicíon Negra is the perfect choice for the rum connoisseur, as well as those travelers looking for something very special.” The rum is presented in a slender bottle featuring the Zacapa Petate band, encased in a canister.

SAILOR JERRY

On a slick black bottle, each of the four new collectable designs - the homeward bound ship, an American eagle, a pin-up girl and a Gypsy - are based on the greatest flash designs from the undisputed father of old school tattoos, Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins. Inspired by brotherhood, embodying freedom of expression and showcasing the craft of old school tattooing, each new wrap design holds a specific meaning. The Gypsy design represents good fortune, whilst the ship design is practical, patriotic and metaphorical – this was tattooed on sailors as a reminder of home, and as a desire to survive and return to their loved ones. The eagle is a symbol for America, which represents honor, prowess and intelligence. As shown on the wrap, Collins’ eagles are iconic and fierce, and associated with the US f lag. The refined pin-up girl design represents the ideal and extremes of femininity; the woman inked on a sailor’s arm would be the only feminine form he would see for months – a design which is arguably Sailor Jerry’s most iconic. Dave Hort, Senior Brand Manager of Sailor Jerry said: “We wanted to provide our consumers with a collectable run of new bottle wraps based on the great, iconic works of our founding father Norman Collins. These new wraps showcase some of the highest quality flash art that has spanned generations, and we’re proud to continue spreading the word of Norman Collins through this limited edition packaging.”

OLD NEW ORLEANS RUM

Celebration Distillation marked its 20th anniversary in 2015 with a special blend of seven different rums. Some of those rums were sitting in the St. Roch distillery when it flooded after Katrina. The anniversary rum went on sale at the distillery late last year. It only became available elsewhere this January. “This is a real testament to the skill of our distillers and blenders,” said artist James Michalopoulos, who founded Old New Orleans Rum. Only 5,500 bottles of the 20th anniversary rum were produced. Other Old New Orleans rums include an unaged Crystal rum, an aged Amber rum, the Cajun Spice rum and the carbonated Gingeroo bottled cocktail.

DEACON GILES RUM

The Deacon Giles Distillery opened last October and their first product, Liquid Damnation Rum has been well received by their local clientele. To take their product to the next level, owners Ian Hunter and Jesse Brenneman have created a Kickstarter campaign to create a barrel aging facility that will transform their current product into an even smoother rum. At press time, it looks like they had exceeded their $15,000.00 goal and were well on their way to buying the necessary barrels and equipment. If you are interested, there is still a couple of days left. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1468765550/deacon-giles-distillery-headed-to-the-dark-side

MAGGIE’S FARM RUM

Pittsburgh, PA - The American Craft Spirits Association, through their 3rd Annual Convention and Judging of American Craft Spirits, has awarded Allegheny Distilling, maker of Maggie’s Farm Rum the award for Best-in-Show spirit among American craft spirits for its Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel aged rum. Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel beat out rums, whiskeys, vodkas, brandies, and other spirits from over 400 distilleries across America to be named top spirit in a blind tasting performed by the panel of expert judges. The Single Barrel rum was also awarded Best-in-Class Rum and received a gold medal in the rum class. Allegheny Distilling also received a gold medal for its Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Rye Oak aged rum, silver medals for Queen’s Share Unaged rum and Queen’s Share Bourbon Oak aged rum. Maggie’s Farm white rum and spiced rum were both awarded bronze medals. Six medals, a Best-in-Class, and Best-in–Show makes Allegheny Distilling the highest honored and most awarded rum distillery at this year’s competition.

This marks the second straight year Allegheny Distilling was awarded a Best-in-Class rum.

Last year, Maggie’s Farm rums were awarded four total medals and Best-in-Class rum for its Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Double Barrel rum. For more American Craft Spirits awards, see the article below.

AMERICAN CRAFT SPIRITS AWARDS

The American Craft Spirits Association had their annual convention in March at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. A big part of the annual event is the Craft Spirits judging. Winners were hand selected among a record-breaking pool of nearly 450 entrants – up more than 30 percent over last year. As mentioned above, Allegheny Distilling’s Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel Rum won Best in Show and Best in Class, as well as two Gold Medals, two Silver Medals and two Bronze Medals. Other Gold Medals were won by Ballast Point Spirits, Bear Creek Distillery and Richland Distilling. Silver Medal winners included Backwards Distilling, Bear Creek Distillery, Bier Distillery, Big Escambla Spirits, Bluebird Distilling, Cannon Beach Distillery, Great Northern Distilling, Huber  Starlight Distillery, Louisiana Spirits, Manatawny Still Works, New Holland Artisan Spirits, Njoy Spirits, Outer Banks Distilling, Prichards Distillery, Smoky Quartz Distillery, Wicked Dolphin and Wiggly Bridge Distillery. To see the full list of winners, go to http://www.americancraftspirits.org/2016-american-craft-spirits-awards/

TESOURO RUM

It is always a pleasure to find some small distillery here passionate people go to great lengths to make the best product they can. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Tesouro Distillery in Longmont, Colorado. The micro-distillery is located at the end of an industrial complex and micro is the key word here. There is a cozy tasting room up front and a small production and aging facility in the back. Greg Dubbe has designed and built his seven fermenters and two stills himself, but he gives credit to his dad, Neil, for maintaining the quality and consistency of their product. “He has documented our recipe and procedure so that the exact same steps are performed for every single fermentation batch, resulting in very, very consistent fermentation results” said Greg. “Our ferments usually finish with a specific gravity within about .003 of each other, with a similarly consistent alcohol content. The fermentation is where the magic happens.” What impressed me the most was Greg’s version of Solera aging. He currently has ten 59-gallon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, various parts of Europe. They are all white oak, but various types of white oak- American, French, and Hungarian. He does small bottling runs whenever he has orders to fill, usually ten gallons. He will draw what he needs from the oldest barrel in the Solera. Then he takes the same amount from the next oldest barrel and transfer it to the oldest barrel to replace the rum that he just pulled for bottling. This same amount is then moved from the third-oldest to the second-oldest, and so on. He tries to keep the volume that he bottles pretty small so that he is only pulling small volumes out of the barrels at any one time, thereby keeping the blending and final product consistent. Tesouro is open for tours and tastings on Saturdays from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. http://tesourodistillery.com/

BALCONES DISTILLING

Balcones Distilling Company has begun production at its new $14.5 million distillery on 11th Street in downtown Waco, Texas, reports the Waco Tribune. The new location features a set of four story copper Forsyths stills, larger fermentation tanks and bottling equipment, and a tasting room and gift shop. The expansion to a new facility will allow Balcones to quadruple production, and the addition of a second set of stills planned for next year will again double capacity. Balcones’ original distillery will continue to be used for specialty releases in the short term. After much legal wrangling, Balcones founder Chip Tate was bought out by majority owners PE Investors in late 2014, and Keith Bellinger, formerly COO, now serves as the distiller’s president.

HAVANA CLUB

Havana Club has released the first expression in new ultra-premium, limited edition rum series, the Havana Club Tributo Collection. The 2016 edition is led by rums aged in 80-year-old casks, which have been blended with other rums to give an “aromatic and intense” taste. The liquid is deep amber in color and is said to of fer notes of dried tropical fruit. “Creating the Havana Club Tributo Collection is a fascinating process, as each release will provide a new and unique taste experience, achieved through experimentation with rum bases from our reserves,” said Asbel Morales, maestro ronero for Havana Club.“ By blending rums using very old and rare casks, we have been able to create an expression for 2016 with a luxurious amber glow, full -bodied fruit flavors and a long finish.” Further expressions in the Havana Club Tributo Collection will be unveiled annually at the Cuban Habanos Festival.