April 2020 - Rum in the News

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                             RUM NEWS – April 2020

I started the month of March in my usual fashion, perusing websites, news sites, bulletin boards, magazines and Facebook for stories about new rums, new distilleries, interesting people, etc. I had my trip to Chicago for the Chicago Rum Festival all planned out, with a complicated Google Map/diagram that plotted out how I was going to attend the festival, hit two giant liquor stores known for their vast rum selections, eat at two famous restaurants and  sample cocktails at a couple of Tiki bars, all in 24 hours. I even convinced the boss that I should write an article about my fantasy trip. And then the virus became a pandemic and life got real. This is supposed to only happen in bad science fiction movies, not in our towns and neighborhoods. One after another, cities were locked down and restaurants and bars were ordered to close to help keep the virus contained. Distilleries had to close their tasting rooms. Overnight, hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters in the service industry were unemployed, from the famous mixologist in the front of the bar who has written books about the latest cocktails, to the people in the back who have the endless job of washing the glasses that hold those cocktails. Somehow, writing about the latest spiced rum with seven different ‘exotic herbs and fruits’ just didn’t seem all that important anymore. Instead, here are some stories on how members of the spirits industry (not just rum) are trying to help.

                                    HAND SANITIZER

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to clean your hands is to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If that option is not available, they suggest using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent ethanol. The rush to stockpile sanitizer has caused a national shortage. Thousands of distilleries around the world have shifted some part or all of their production to the manufacture of hand sanitizer or alcohol for sanitizers. Some of the bigger names include the following:

  • Diageo, maker of the Captain Morgan line of rums, has pledged to enable the creation of more than eight million bottles of hand sanitizer, by donating up to two million liters of alcohol to manufacturing partners, to help protect frontline healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19. The world’s leading distiller will provide Grain Neutral Spirit (GNS), a 96% strength ethyl alcohol used primarily in production of vodka and gin, and make it available at no cost to hand sanitizer producers in multiple countries, to help overcome shortages in healthcare systems. This donation will enable the production of more than eight million 250mL bottles of hand sanitizer.
  • The Sazerac Company started producing hand sanitizer at its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky, but the company’s other plants across the country are gearing up to produce as well. The goal is to provide some of the world’s largest organizations in healthcare, government, military, retail, distribution, airline, pharmacy and banking industries. Matt Maimone, Sazerac’s chief operating officer told Biz New Orleans “We have seen the great need for hand sanitizer from industries across the board – many of these organizations are desperate, as supplies have dwindled. We are adding production capacity to cope with the massive industrial demand. We have received requests to date for over five million bottles of sanitizer, which we are prepared to meet, and possibly more, across our sites in North America.”
  • William Grant & Sons is shifting production at three of our distilleries to supply about five million liters of ethanol over the next eight weeks for the production of much-needed hand sanitizer. Producing ethanol that conforms to World Health Organization standards is now going ahead at the distilleries in Girvan in Scotland and Tullamore in Ireland. Plans are being put in place to meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards at Tuthilltown in New York State.  Simon Hunt, Chief Executive, explained “Through this initiative, we can divert our technology and the skills of our people to contribute to the essential work of protecting people around the world from the impact of coronavirus. Our proud teams are determined to do what they can to help at our distilleries.”
  • Anheuser-Busch said in a tweet “We have a long history of supporting our communities and employees - this time is no different. That’s why we are using our supply and logistics network to begin producing and distributing bottles of hand sanitizer to accommodate the growing needs across the United States.” Anheuser-Busch’s hand sanitizer will be packaged in 8-ounce bottles, and the containers will bear logos and design motifs similar to that of its beer brands. The company said it would consult with the American Red Cross and other nonprofit partners to find out the needy places for its sanitizer.
  • Bacardi has expanded its commitment across countries and brands to help produce more than 267,000 gallons of hand sanitizers, as worldwide demand continues to exceed supply in efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Eight Bacardi-owned manufacturing sites across the United States, Mexico, France, England, Italy and Scotland are joining the efforts with the Bacardi Plant in Puerto Rico to supply alcohol to make hand sanitizers. Across the sites, Bacardi is diverting its global production power, resources and processes to supply the much-needed alcohol essential for the increased production of hand sanitizers.

For a more complete list of all the distilleries in the United States that are making hand sanitizers or alcohol for sanitizers, visit https://www.distilledspirits.org/distillers-responding-to-covid-19/distilleries-making-hand-sanitizer/?gv_search=&filter_4_4=Louisiana&mode=any

                        CHARITABLE DONATIONS

Many major corporations have made substantial contributions to help those affected by the Covid-19 Virus. This list is just the beginning, with hopefully many more to come.

  • Constellation Brands has committed $2.5 million in Covid-19 relief funds. This includes $1 Million to the upcoming launch of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, $500,000 to the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild, $250,000 to support first responders as they continue to support those in need in communities across the U.S. and $250,000 contribution to support relief efforts in Italy, home to the company’s Ruffino brand. 
  • Bacardi has pledged $3 Million in financial aid and other support to help the people on the frontlines of our industry during this unimaginable time.
  • Jameson, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, will donate $500,000 to the US Bartenders Guild Emergency Relief Fund. 
  • Molson Coors Beverage Co. said it will give $1 Million to the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild Emergency Relief Fund.
  • Patron Tequila has donated $1 Million to support Children of Restaurant Employees; Another Round, Another Rally; and The James Beard Foundation.
  • Tito’s Vodka has donated $1 Million between four organizations: Children of Restaurant Employees, U. S. Bartenders Guild Emergency Relief Fund, Southern Smoke and World Central Kitchen.
  • Beam Suntory and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits have contributed $1 Million to the U. S. Bartenders’ Guild Emergency relief Fund and the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation.
  • Brown-Forman announced this week they would be donating $1 Million to COVID-19 response funds including providing money to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund.
  • Fireball Whisky has started a GoFundMe account entitled “World’s Biggest Tip Jar” where “donations will go to tax exempt organizations that directly assist service industry members including the USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program.” Nearly $150,000 has been tipped so far.

Here are some of the organizations mentioned above: 

  • Children of Restaurant Employees is a national organization that grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances.
  • U. S. Bartenders Guild Emergency Relief Fund supports qualified bartenders, bar backs, and bar servers who need financial assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship.
  • Southern Smoke provides nationwide financial assistance to food and beverage employees experiencing crisis from all touchpoints throughout the service industry “food chain” including farmers, delivery drivers, small business owners, and suppliers.
  • World Central Kitchen is working to safely distribute individually packaged fresh meals in communities that need support. — and will fund an additional $1 million as we uncover further needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Another Round, Another Rally is distributing $500 relief grants to hospitality workers in need. Anyone in the hospitality industry, dishwasher, bartender, server busser, chef, cook, sommelier, manager, host, or barback, can apply for funds.
  • The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation has created a Restaurant Workers’ COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund as well as a Resource Page to provide information on how to receive assistance or to find ways to assist others affected by this crisis.

    WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE SOCIAL DISTANCING

If you have already binge-watched most of Netflix, here are a few suggestions on how to pass the time in isolation:

Virtual Cocktail Hour - I have to give my daughter credit for this one. Twice a week she and her friends get together for a virtual cocktail hour, using Zoom Conferencing (zoom.us). Using their phones, tablets and computers, they all mix a drink at home, connect and drink.

Ask Maggie Campbell Anything – Maggie Campbell is the talented and very knowledgeable Head Distiller (and President) at Privateer Rum. Twice a week, Wednesday and Friday, she does an Instagram Live at 4:00 PM ET. Mix a drink and join her for Happy Hour @halfpintmaggie. Be aware that this can get pretty rum-nerdy. She also does a Privateer Podcast on Spotify.

Zavvy Livestream Presentations -  Federico Hernandez, rum festival organizer and creator of the Rum Lab, is putting together a series of live Q&A podcasts that feature rum industry professionals. I caught the first show, Building a Rum Brand, with Eric Caye of Holmes Cay Rum. Eric answered just about every question on how and why he started his own rum label. On April 1st, the show will feature Christelle Treunov, Brand Manager for HSE Rhum, will talk about Women Leading Rum. On April 3rd, Roberto Serrallés, 6th Generation Rum Maker and Vice President of Business Development, Destilería Serrallés in Puerto Rico, will share some of the key strategies and initiatives that have helped transform the makers of Don Q into one of the Caribbean’s greener distilleries. https://zavvy.co/?mc_cid=d9ed47c2ad&mc_eid=98ec265484

          In Closing – R.A.K. – Random Acts of Kindness

Sometimes the worst of times brings out the best in people. Yesterday, I made the daunting trip to the grocery store. While keeping my distance in the checkout line, I noticed the guy in front of me had the allotted package of toilet paper, several frozen pizzas and around ten big bags of Kit Kats. Now, I like Kit Kats as much as the next guy, but eighty Kit Kat bars is a bit much. Our paths crossed again in the liquor department. While I was checking out (bottle of rum, of course) the guy walks up to the clerk, hands him a Kit Kat bar and thanks him for working in these dangerous times. R.A.K.

Be Safe, Be Healthy and soon we will Be Happy once again.

Mike Kunetka