August 2017- Rum in the News

by ,

August 2017- Rum in the News

DICTATOR RUMS & 375 PARK AVENUE SPIRITS

375 Park Avenue Spirits announced its agreement with Colombian luxury spirits producer, Dictador, to act as the exclusive U.S. importer for the brand’s aged rum portfolio. ”We are very proud to start this partnership with 375 Avenue Spirits and Sazerac,” said Marcin Lukasiewicz, Vice President of Sales for Dictador. “It is a great privilege to work with such an exciting company that shares our vision. We look forward to a successful collaboration that will continue to energize the aged rum category with the revolutionary experience Dictador rums bring to the American market.”

The award-winning Dictador rums are produced at Destilería Colombiana, located off the northern Caribbean coast in Cartagena de Indias, an area with a magical balance of weather and land known for producing exceptional quality spirits. Dictador uses sugarcane honey obtained from cane grown near the distillery and a proprietary natural yeast strain cultivated by the family to ensure the brand’s singular taste and texture profile is kept pure and consistent. Almost all of the Dictador rums are aged using a solera system at their aging facility located 4,265 feet above sea level, surrounded by majestic mountains at an average of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Established in 1913 by Don Julio Parra, Dictador is made at Destilería Colombiana, located off the northern Caribbean coast in Cartagena. The brand is named after Don Julio’s ancestor who earned the name “Dictador” when he arrived in Colombia (then known as Nueva Granada) from Spain in the 18th Century; he became known for his strong and powerful nature. Today, Dictador is still a family-owned company, headed by Hernan Parra Arango, the third generation and Dictador Master Blender, who is committed to producing the finest spirits in all of Colombia. Initially, 375 Park Avenue Spirits will offer 10 unique solera aged rum expressions from the brand: Dictador 12 Years Old and Dictador 20 Years Old; Dictador 100 Months Amber, Dictador 100 Months Claro, Dictador 100 Months Café, and Dictador 100 Months Orange; Dictador XO Insolent, and Dictador XO Perpetual; and two highly limited selections: Dictador ‘Best Of’ (a highly limited series of best and oldest rums released once per year) and Dictador ‘Two Master Blenders’ rum (a second limited edition offering, 100 bottles released per year). The portfolio, which ranges from $29 – $355 at retail, will be available from 375 Park Avenue Spirits in most markets nationally beginning August 1, 2017.

INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Now in its 22nd year, the ISC is a premier event in promoting outstanding quality spirits from across the globe. The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high caliber of spirits, designs and campaigns entered into the competition each year. Receiving more than 1,300 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide makes the ISC a truly global competition. The ISC Tasting Awards winners are established through a rigorous judging process - a highly controlled operation held over seven days of intense blind tastings by panels of more than 50 respected and experienced industry professionals. Samples are delivered to the judging area in flights of numbered tasting glasses to ensure the accuracy of the blind tasting. Each judge will assess products according to their age, region and variety which is determined by the entrant and verified by the chairman. Each product is blind tasted and awarded a score for its aroma, appearance, taste and finish. Scores are collated and recorded by the category chairman before Trophy, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded. This year’s Trophy Medals for rum were awarded to Bundaberg Distilling for their Master Distillers’ Collection - Blenders Edition and to R. L. Seale for their Foursquare Triptych and their Foursquare 2004. R.L. Seale also won Gold Medals for their Foursquare Criterion, Foursquare Zinfandel Cask Blend, R. L. Seale Finest and Doorly’s 12 Year Old rums. Other Gold Medals were awarded to St. Lucia Distillers for their Admiral Rodney Extra Old St Lucia Rum, Havana Club for their Seleccion de Maestros, Berry Bros. & Rudd for their Penny Blue VSOP, Pusser’s Rum Company for their Gunpowder Proof and Worthy Park Estate for their Rum-Bar Rum, White Overproof.

COCKSPUR

The Barbados produced Cockspur Rum brand has been sold to Woodland Radicle, a company with a global reputation in brand creation, brand building and activation of beverage brands. The Cockspur brand features various award-winning rums, a best-selling rum punch,  and desirable Splashes that have become a must for cocktails. It was once the most dominant brand on the Caribbean island that invented rum. With the sale of the brand to Woodland  Radicle, Cockspur’s future will include the upgrading of packaging and the introduction of new unique branded products to provide multinational consumers with greater choice.

For Steve Wilson, CEO and co-founder of Woodland Radicle, the Cockspur brand, whose distinctive logo is a big rooster, has the quality necessary to take on the world. “Our strategy is to raise the profile of Cockspur,” said Wilson, a drinks industry veteran who spent 15 years as the global head of innovation at Diageo and was closely associated with a number of major brands including Bailey’s Irish Cream, Malibu, Ciroc Vodka, and Smirnoff Ice. “Our strategy is focused on growth. That is why we emphasize our intention will be to return Cockspur to greatness in Barbados as well as expand exports into more markets,” Wilson added. He also assured that the great taste of the Cockspur brands will not change as they will continue to be produced and bottled in Barbados.

The major change as a result of the sale of the Cockspur brands will be in administration and marketing. Cockspur’s headquarters will now be at Woodland Radicle’s corporate base in St George, Barbados. From there, a network of distributors will aggressively market the brand globally, while Hanschell Inniss will continue to distribute the brand locally. Woodland Radicle, which is responsible for J&R Rums and Xilli, is primarily a seed and nurture company. They identify brands with potential and help them realize their true value. Though Wilson declined to say how much Woodland Radicle paid for Cockspur, he stressed they are satisfied that they have a winner. Indeed, the Woodland Radicle chief projects that rebuilding the Cockspur brand and taking it global would help them achieve their quest to become the number one brand building company in the beverage and alcohol industry within the next five years.

CARIBBEAN JOURNAL’S LIST OF BEST AMERICAN RUMS

Every year on the Fourth of July, the Caribbean Journal, an e-newsletter usually focused on all things Caribbean, creates a list of their favorite American rums. Here are their descriptions of their five top favorites:

Siesta Key Rum - “Drum Circle Distilling has long put out one of the best rums, not just in America, but anywhere, and distiller Troy Roberts’ loyalty to overwhelming quality continues, led by the flagship, simply spectacular, Siesta Key Spiced Rum. Plainly, it’s just incredibly good rum.”

Papa’s Pilar Rum – “This wonderful rum, part owned by the Hemingway estate, recently launched its first full - fledged rum making operations at a new distillery in Key West, though much of the rum will remain sourced from Florida, the Caribbean and Central America. But the aging and finishing of the rum is itself a work of art, and makes it one of the best rums in America.”

Richland Rum – “This American product is notable in that it’s America’s only single-estate rum, meaning every step of the rum making process happens here, from cane to glass. And the result is a world-class rum, something you expect to find in Martinique, not in Georgia.”

Koloa Rum – “Long a Rum Journal favorite, Koloa Rum is distilled in a vintage copper-pot still using local sugarcane from Kauai, making for a wonderful range of both traditional and flavored rums. The latter are really the stars, though, led by the decadent coffee expression.”

Thomas Tew Rum – “This brash pot-still rum is produced by the Newport Distilling Company in Newport, RI , led by its wonderful single barrel expression (though the overproof is wild, too).”

ISLA DEL TESORO - CASTRO RUM

London-based agency Spirit Cartel has been chosen to distribute the rum called Isla del Tesoro, which for 50 years was made for controversial Cuban revolutionary Castro’s personal consumption and then later was gifted to visiting international dignitaries and senior member of the Cuban Government. Spirit Cartel’s Charles Marshall said “ Isla del Tesoro is truly the stuff of legend. We feel it is our own little revolution and certainly a piece of history just getting our hands on the UK distribution for the rum. The romance surrounding this rum, contributes to the myth that it has come to represent the Cuban people’s soul: pure and full of spirit, whilst maintaining a real sense of dignity and elegance. It’s a rum for connoisseurs and aficionados. In my opinion, no rum collection is complete without a bottle of ‘El Caballo’s’ personal rum. We can all be a little Fidelista even if we are not communist.” The liquid is presented in an individually-numbered ceramic decanter encased in a handmade wooden chest. A map accompanies the bottle, depicting the location of Isla del Tesoro island – now called Isla de la Juventud.

RON BARCELO

Ron Barcelo has hired illustrator Abraham Menendez (Abe the Ape) to create new summer artwork for their bottles. To find inspiration, “Ape the Abe” took as a reference the summer films that featured Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, the emblematic actors of Beach Party, Beach Blanket Bingo and Bikini Beach. “I created a sort of old and colorful water park with a touch of California, imagine playing a background music of the Beach Boys or Dale & His Del -Tones” explains the designer. This limited edition is only available in Spain at the usual points of sale while quantities last.

SAN DIEGO SPIRIT FESTIVAL

Just over one month to the biggest cocktail festival in San Diego. This is one happy hour that lasts 4 hour s that you don’t want to miss. Check out the fun! There are dancers, bands,  acrobats, and this year - - a fashion show! The Festival will also welcome Lagunitas Beer as part of the event. Join the After Party and Fashion Week SD Runway Fashion Show. Everyone is invited to keep the party going on the forecourt. The fashion show will begin at 7pm. VIP tickets are available and LILLET will be hosting the VIP party. Drink Tickets will be available and all proceeds go to charity.

APPLETON RUM TOUR

The Jamaica Gleaner reported that J. Wray and Nephew Limited is appealing to the Government to support its $1-billion makeover of the world famous Appleton Rum Tour by re-establishing the old rail service and putting in a proper road from Montego Bay, St James, to its Siloah location in St Elizabeth. Chairman of the company, Clement Lawrence, told the Gleaner “Critical to bringing people to this setting is the railway, this is our preferred form of mass transit,” “Having a railway brings an experience by itself. The rail lines, which has not been operational since the 1900s, travel between the estate and the cruise ship dock. The train would halve the travel time from the over three-hour bus ride and allow visitors to start the rum experience, while traveling to their destination. In the interim, however, it will be necessary for Government to improve the road conditions from Montego Bay to Appleton to make the journey more pleasant, ensuring that the tourist arrives unshaken.” Lawrence says he is looking to grow the number of visitors from 50,000 to approximately 200,000 annually. He believes the rail experience and the logistical benefits that it offers would support that effort nicely.

CARIBBEAN RUM & BEER FESTIVAL 2017

The Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival is heading back to Barbados this December. After spending years away being hosted in Grenada and St Maarten, the annual beverage expo is back on home territory. Barbados based Festival Director Cheryl Collymore explained “The first Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival was held in Barbados back in 2010 and after discussions with local stakeholders, we feel the time is perfect to bring our unique event back home.” The festival is a rum and beer trade expo with a huge social component. Distilleries, breweries and distributors use the event to showcase their products to an enthusiastic audience of local and international visitors. Collymore noted that, “companies are constantly searching for cost effective ways to reach targeted customers and the Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival provides an excellent platform.” The venue for the 2017 Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival is the Rockley Golf & Country Club and a festival golf tournament is one of the activities taking place during the event. Additional activities at the festival will include: product sampling, seminars on rum and craft beer, chocolate pairings, a rum cocktail bartending competition, a cigar & rum area and cooking with rum and beer demonstrations. Festival Operation Director Dr. Glyn Williams commented “The Caribbean and in particular Barbados is the home of rum and we produce some world class quality rums and beers. The Caribbean Rum & Beer Festival is a way to invite people from all over the world to come to Barbados and learn more about the history, variety and versatility of these amazing products.”

EL DORADO RUM

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), makers of El Dorado Rum, recently announced the release of its El Dorado Master Blender’s Special Edition rum in celebration of its renewed five-year partnership with the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). This Limited Release product is a blend of three rums that were specially selected by Master Blender Sharon Sue-Hang from three of DDL’s famous heritage stills. The blend comprises a light rum from the French Savalle Still, a medium bodied spirit distilled by the Enmore Wooden Coffey Still (EHP Still) and a heavier-style distillate of the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot. These rums were distilled in 2007 and laid down in oak barrels for 10 years to produce what Mrs. Sue-Hang describes as a “full bodied, well balanced sipper”. Demerara Distillers Limited is known for their continued preservation and use of several heritage stills dating back to the 1700s. The French Savalle Still is the original four column metal still which was inherited from the 18th century Uitvlugt Estate on the West Coast of Demerara. The EHP Wooden Coffey Still was built in 1880 and is the last working example of its kind in the world today. It is similar to the very first continuous still constructed and patented by Irish Excise Officer Aeneas Coffey in 1832. The Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still comprises two large wooden pots, constructed with Guyanese Greenheart for longevity. It was first erected in 1732 at Plantation Port Mourant but with the closing and consolidation of estates was moved to Plantation Skeldon then on to Plantation Albion. It was later moved to the Enmore then Uitvlugt Estates before finding its way to its present home at Diamond. The extra character and depth of the rum from this still made it the choice of the Royal Navy which had begun issuing an official daily ration of rum to its sailors. Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited, Komal Samaroo, said that “Every bottle of El Dorado Rum is imbued with the rich heritage of centuries of rum crafting experience. We take great care to preserve, enrich and showcase the heritage and skill and craftsmanship that makes ever y bottle of El Dorado so unique. It is in this context that our relationship with CPL since its inauguration must be seen – richer and deeper with the passage of time. As we commence a new and enhanced relationship over the next five years we are delighted to mark the occasion with the launch of this new El Dorado blend specially crafted by our Master Blender to celebrate once again the partnership between the World’s Best Rum and the Biggest Party in Sport.”

ANGOSTURA

The Spirit Journal recently reported that Angostura has reduced its third party rum production after a project to upgrade its wastewater facilities “didn’t work out as well as we’d hoped”. Speaking to The Spirits Business, Genevieve Jodhan confirmed that Trinidad and Tobago- based Angostura made a “strategic decision” in the third quarter of 2016 to reduce bulk rum distilling after work on its wastewater treatment plant ran into difficulty. “We started to scope out and ask, how can we produce responsibly? And we realized that we needed to cut back production and make some changes. That led us to look at the entire business model to see where we want to be, then reposition the company for the future.” Angostura has maintained some key supply contracts, but will reserve greater distilling capacity for its own brands. This change in production strategy has also allowed Angostura to speed up its premium trajectory, by focusing more on value than volume, Jodhan added. She said of the industry wide premiumization trend in rum: “We don’t just think it will happen, we intend to make it happen.” However, she added: “The future of rum lies in all categories, and mainstream rums are here to stay. Consumption changes by occasion, by lifestyle, and life stage. I do not think there will ever be a time when rum is out of reach for the average consumer. “But there is an untapped market at the top end that is wide open, and I think rum will continue to push into areas once reserved for whisky.”