Around The Rum World
by Carl Kanto
Carl Kanto, also known as “The Rum Savant”, us a contributing writer for "Got Rum?" magazine
Talk about Mexico and immediately one thinks about Mexican culture – food, music, drink – tequila of course and excitement and indeed August was exciting.
On August 23, 2016, 74 of the world finest judges – spirit tasters - from 23 different countries descended on the spirited town of Tequila. Over the next three days, August 24 – 26, they created history not by visiting the breath taking agave fields nor mingling with the stills in the many tequila distilleries visited nor sampling all the tequila that can be served. This team of unique men and women sampled over 1,200 different spirits – rum, tequila, baijiu, cachaca and whisky to name a few – from 48 producer countries participating in the Spirits Selection Competition by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. This was truly a United Nations of Fine Spirits.
At the end of a grilling, tiring three days period 24 spirits evolved as unique spirits and were awarded Grand Gold Medals with two top quality, innovative and modern spirits that underscore current market trends being identified as Revelation Spirits – Monna & Filles Crème de Cassis, a fruit cream from Canada by Cassis Monna & Filles and Three Ships Premium Select, a whisky from South Africa by Distell. Another 343 were awarded Gold and Silver Medals.
For rum producers in the Caribbean it should be noted that Caribbean rums won 2 Grand Gold Medals, 16 Gold Medals and 17 Silver Medals including first time entries Clifton Estate Spiced Rum from Clifton Estate Rum in Saint Kitts and Nevis and Borgoe Grand Reserve Rum 8 Years Old from Suriname alcoholic Beverages N.V. – both being awarded Gold Medals. The Grand Gold Medals were won by two rums (Agricultural) from Martinique – Rhum Vieux Agricole Fleur Canne Saint – James by Rhums Martiniquais Saint – James SAS and Rhum Vieux JM Finish Armagnac 2004 by Heritiers Crassous de Medeuil SAS. Great going Caribbean rums.
For the adventurous and strong in spirit, the next Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles will take place at the end of August 2017 in the region of Coquimbo, Chile. Book your space, gold might be awaiting you.
