October 2016 - Rum In The News

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October 2016 - Rum In The News

MOUNT GAY ORIGIN SERIES

This month Mount Gay will be releasing the second installment in its Origin Series. The first issue in the series offered a box of two 375ml bottles, one aged in Virgin Casks and the other in Charred Casks. This year’s offering is called The Copper Stills: Pot vs. Column and will again offer two half bottles. Each of the two rums included in this special package exhibits a flavor profile unique to its method of distillation. The first was produced in a copper pot still, the traditional method of creating rum that dates back to the brand’s origins in Barbados in 1703. The second expression was created in a modern copper column still, a more efficient method for producing rum from molasses. “We created the Origin Series collections so that we could give rum drinkers the unique opportunity to experience rum by tasting the pure essence of the distinct distillation methods. We want to share a deeper understanding of how each part of the process can change the taste of rum entirely,” said Mount Gay Master Blender Allen Smith. “Copper Pot is a rich, intricate interpretation of signature Mount Gay aromatics, robust in flavor and body. Copper Column is a delicate and mellow expression of our classic profile.” The Origin Series Copper Stills collection, at 43% ABV, will be available beginning October 2016 at premium liquor and spirits stores across the United States for a suggested retail price of $95.

ANGOSTURA 1787

Angostura will be releasing 1787, a super-premium blend made from a selection of rums carefully chosen from the House of Angostura’s vast ageing warehouses, each of which has been ageing for 15 years in charred oak barrels. It pays tribute the first sugar mill in Trinidad, at the famous Lapeyrouse sugar plantation, in 1787. Executive manager of international sales and marketing, Genevieve Jodhan, said: “Angostura 1787 celebrates the history of a quintessentially Caribbean spirit, highlights the importance of rum in our history, and promotes the awareness of rum as the true spirit of Trinidad and Tobago.” Angostura 1787 will be packaged in a heavy, rounded bottle with a thick glass base, emblazoned with the signature of Dr. J.G.B. Seigert, the founder of Angostura.

LA CASITA de RONES

It’s one of the world’s rum capitals, and now Puerto Rico has finally given rum a home in its top tourist destination: Old San Juan. La Casita de Rones recently opened as the flagship store of Rums of Puerto Rico, the island’s promotion agency for its rum products. The rum haven is located in the Plaza Darsenas, just a few blocks from the city’s major cruise port. The “Casita” will be a promotion center and reference point for the Rums of Puerto Rico — and it will of course include a tasting area to sample rums from Serralles, Bacardi, Club Caribe, Ron del Barrilito, among many others. It’s likely to be a big hit — and it’s a welcome addition to the city. Gov. Alejandro García Padilla officially opened La Casita de Rones by saying “It is with great joy that we have gathered here to share with you the opening of the first flagship store developed under the program Rums of Puerto Rico. For over 25 years, Rums of Puerto Rico has protected and promoted local rum  industry,“ La Casita of Rones is a joint initiative of the Department of Economic Development and Trade, the Industrial Development Company through its Rums of Puerto Rico program, the Tourism Company, the Company Trade and Export and collaboration Authority the ports. Investment in the creation of this new space adds up to about $750.000 and created about 35 direct and indirect jobs in the construction phase and maintain approximately another 75 jobs in its operational phase. “ I invite you to rediscover not only the rums of Puerto Rico, but this beautiful sanjuanero environment around us. We are rediscovering to Puerto Rico and all it has to offer. Let’s show that we see all that is good about our island, “concluded Garcia Padilla.

FIORITO LEMON INFUSED RUM

Fiorito is famous for its Limoncello Superiore, but recently they introduced a new brand: Fiorito Lemon Infused Rum, a premium rum that responds to the increased interest in mixing and cocktails. It would not be inaccurate to refer to Dutch brothers Benno and Franco Fiorito as lemon aficionados. The Fioritos began producing their award winning artisanal limoncello after a trip to visit family in Sicily in 2007, and the success of the delicious limoncello led the brothers to want to expand their spirit crafting repertoire. Fresh, juicy, thinskinned organic lemons were still the inspiration, but the Fioritos decided to branch out beyond the traditional Italian citrus liqueur and create a top quality lemon- infused rum that was smooth, flavorful, and oh-so- lemony. Blending premium rums from Nicaragua, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Trinidad and Tobago, the brothers then saturated Fiorito Lemon Infused Rum with the lush, tart skins of hand-peeled lemons, Sicilian of course. The lemons are handpicked with great care on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Before being transported to the factory the lemons are thoroughly washed. The lemons arrive in the factory on Mondays where they get another refreshing bath before being hand-peeled. The lemons must be peeled as thinly as possible as they only want to use the yellow part of the skin. What remains is transported to a juicing company to ensure nothing is wasted. Florita Lemon Infused Rum won a Silver Medal at this year’s International Wine and Spirits Competition.

LA HECHICERA

“Rum, just like a person, is appreciated more for its maturity than for its age.” These are the words of Miguel Riascos Noguera, Founder and President of Casa Santana. For three generations, the Riascos family have been creating fine rums in Colombia with uncompromising dedication to quality and taste. Traveling around the Caribbean, sourcing the finest raw spirits, finding the richest casks, attracting the most talented master blenders, the family has created a signature style with a very peculiar history. At the heart of Barranquilla, nestled between the long-winding Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea, is an unassuming little bodega that has been ageing and blending the best rum in Colombia for over twenty years. It is an oasis of silence in the midst of a bustling city where barrels rest under the watchful eye of the Maestro Ronero, Giraldo Mituoka Kagana. He started his career cutting sugar cane for the Cuban revolution and has, since then, been perfecting his knowledge of sugar and its distillates in order to become Master Blender. Their current offering is blended from spirit matured for between 12 and 21 years in white oak. Pronounced ‘etch-ee-seh- rah’, the name  means ‘enchantress’ in Spanish. Phillips Distilling Co. has added Colombia’s La Hechicera ultra-premium aged rum to its North American portfolio.

PUSSER’S GUN POWDER RUM

Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof, the last rum issued by the modern Royal Navy to its enlistees in 1970, launched in seven U.S. markets in July to commemorate the 46th anniversary of Black Tot Day. Gunpowder Proof is an aged overproof expression at 54.5 percent which was the formula last used by the Admiralty. This follows a highly-successful introduction in Europe. “Gunpowder Proof is riding the wave of hand-crafted artisan spirits that are authentic and all -natural,” said Pusser’s CEO Gary Rogalski. “Forbes Magazine called the blend ‘the single malt of rum’ because of the painstaking batch process required to blend, bottle and bring the rum to market. We are all proud of our association in serving Liquid History to a strong and growing core of rum aficionados.” Rogalski said Pusser’s will introduce the rum to its Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, California, mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets with others to follow as the spirit gains traction. The overproof spirit is brandy- like and surprisingly smooth, easy to drink neat, in a snifter or in your favorite cocktail or as a floater to add additional spirit to any cocktail. The daily issue of rum, a tradition which goes back three centuries, ended July 31, 1970 and is affectionately known as “Black Tot Day” in the UK and other Commonwealth countries. The Admiralty formula, a unique blend of rums from Guyana and Trinidad, was ceded to the Company’s founder, Charles Tobias, in return for his promise to make annual contributions to the Sailor’s Tot Fund, now part of the Royal Navy and Marine Charitable Fund. Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof has already won several awards in Europe including a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, a Master’s and Gold medal in The Rum Masters Competition and Third Place for World’s Best Dark Rum in the World Rum Awards. It also won Gold for Best in Class for the Overproof category in the Rum XP awards at the recent Miami RumFest. This is in addition to the many other awards Pusser’s lower proof 3-year aged and 15-year aged spirits from the same stills have already won.

BACARDI

BACARDÍ rum introduced “We Are the Night,” an integrated, global campaign that revels in the distinctive night personas that come to life under the cover of darkness; daytime conventions are shed, under the notion that while some “carpe diem,” others “carpe noctem.”The campaign, created by BBDO New York, launches with a 30-second TV spot that features a cast of night time archetypes, ranging from the “Brave Shirts,” the guys in the group with the confidence to wear the boldest fashion statements, the “Last Train Sprinters” who maximize the night by staying out until the minute the last train departs for home, to the “Glow Gals” (known as “Screen Queens” outside of the U.S.) whose faces are illuminated by the glow of their phone screens, from which they’re posting all night long. Directed by Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer, Michel Gondry, who is best known for his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the spot is shot from the point-of-view of a taxi passenger. It takes the viewer on an immersive journey through an exciting night out, encountering the unique cast of characters along the way, presented   in the inventive visual style and whimsy for which Gondry is best known. The campaign and activations capture the concept that, like the iconic BACARDÍ bat, people come to life when darkness falls. Influenced by the “BACARDÍ Untameable” positioning, “We Are the Night” celebrates the liberation of night time. The creative focuses on the big night out occasion with BACARDÍ & Cola leading the drink strategy in the United States and BACARDÍ Mojito in Europe. “BACARDÍ understands the night better than anyone else given our brand icon, the bat. The ‘We Are the Night ’ campaign recognizes that the night is so much more than a time of day. It ’s a unique world, with vastly different behaviors, and we hope to capture that through the campaign and immersive consumer experiences,” says Mauricio Vergara, Chief Marketing Officer for Bacardi in North America, and global lead for the BACARD Í rum brand. “We’re on a mission to reclaim the iconic status of the BACARD Í brand. A globally consistent strategy combined with strong investment in our core range and dynamic artist collaborations – such as No Commission with Swizz Beatz– are engaging people with the brand again. It’s only just star ting to get interesting.”

RHUM SAINT JAMES

SAINT JAMES Rums have recruited the help of three rum experts to promote Agricole Rums around Europe. Jerry Gitany and Benoît Bail from the Rum Embassy, assisted by rum enthusiast Jessica Toumson, will explain the specific elements and history of this distinct Rum category. The month of October will be busy for these rum lovers as they are set to appear at several Rum Shows, Festivals & Conferences: Vienna Rum Festival (Austria), Sept. 30th - Oct. 1st; Show Rum Rome (Italy), Oct. 2nd - Oct. 3rd; Salon du Rhum de Spa (Belgium), Oct. 8th - Oct. 9th; Rumfest Berlin (Germany), Oct. 15th - Oct. 16th; UK Rumfest London (UK), Oct. 22nd - 23rd and Barcelona Rum Congress (Spain), Oct. 25th. SAINT JAMES Rums are born out of a 250-year- long history of passion and craftsmanship. The highly awarded SAINT JAMES Agricole Rums from Martinique, made from fresh sugar cane juice, are appreciated for their character and uniqueness. Distributed in over 50 countries, the famous square bottle brand is the N°1number one worldwide Agricole Caribbean Rum.