Members of the International Rum Expert Panel completed their annual blind tasting competition at Miami Rum Fest recently. The results of the judges’ evaluations have been announced today on their web site at www.RumXP.com.

This annual gathering of rum judges from around the world has become a greatly anticipated event by rum enthusiasts and rum brands from the Caribbean and beyond. In many cases, new emerging brands, small craft distillers and exotic expressions never before seen in the United States are being celebrated across the globe with their success in this forum.

“The rum judges were surprised and delighted to find a greater number of fine rums in their blind tasting session again this year,” said RumXP organizer Robert V. Burr. “The trend toward better quality mixing rums for cocktails, more exquisite luxury sipping rums and greatly improved flavored and spiced rums continues. The RumXP judges evaluated more rums than ever before. The competition was tough, but these rum experts rose to the challenge and identified the best of the best of 2013.”

In the Premium Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Barcelo Imperial Anniversario 30 from the Dominican Republic. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Mt. Gay 1703 from Barbados, Debonaire 21 from Panama and Dictador XO Perpetual from Colombia.

In the Old Aged Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Centenario 20 from Costa Rica. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Barcelo Imperial and Atlantico Private Cask from Dominican Republic, as well as Diplomatico Exclusiva and Occumare Grand Reserve from Venezuela.

In the Aged Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Plantation Original Dark Rum from Trinidad. Additional Gold awards in this category went to DonQ Anejo from Puerto Rico, Occumare Anejo and Diplomatico Reserva from Venezuela as well as English Harbour 5 from Antigua.

In the Special Cask category, the Best In Class Award went to Dos Maderas 5+5 from Barbados, finished in wine and Sherry barrels in Spain. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Plantation Guatamela, Plantation Jamaica 2000 and Plantation Grenada 2003, each finished in Cognac barrels in France.

In the White Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Papa’s Pilar Blonde, a blend of rums from the Caribbean, Central America and Florida. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Plantation 3 Stars blend from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad, Wicked Dolphin from Florida, Guarijo Blanco from the Canary Islands and Diplomatico Blanco from Venezuela.

In the Gold Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Tanduay from the Philippines. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Veroes of Venezuela, Guarijo Dorado from the Canary Islands and Wild Geese Gold from Jamaica.

In the Black or Navy Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Izapa Negro of Mexico.

In the Spiced Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Blackbeard Spiced Rum of Puerto Rico. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Shellback Spiced Rum from Barbados, Blackheart Spiced Rum from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Bacardi Oakheart Spice Rum from Puerto Rico.

In the Flavored Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Debonaire Coffee from Panama. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Debonaire Honey from Panama, Izapa Chocolate from Mexico and Santa Teresa Orange Rum of Venezuela.

In the Overproof Rum category, the Best In Class Award went to Planation Overproof from Trinidad. An additional Gold award in this category went to Rum Fire of Jamaica.

In the Rhum Agricole category, the Best In Class Award went to R. St Barth from Guadeloupe.

In the Cachaça category of rums from Brazil, the Best In Class Award went to Novo Fogo Clear. Additional Gold awards in this category went to Novo Fogo Barreled and Poesia.

“The RumXP member judges congratulate all the winning entries in their 2013 tasting competition,” said Burr. “These accolades reflect the work of outstanding master distillers, blenders and rum brands from around the world.”

This recently released spirit hails from the Dominican Republic and was matured for 12 years in American-oak barrels. It’s named for a Prohibition-era rum-smuggling schooner and is bottled in California. “Light in body, but long on character,” Martin Cate, all-star bartender and owner of acclaimed San Francisco establishment Smuggler’s Cove, says. “A subtly complex charmer.”

A lady goes to the bar on a cruise ship and orders a Scotch with two drops of water. As the bartender gives her the drink she says, ‘I’m on this cruise to celebrate my 80th birthday and it’s today.’

The bartender says, ‘Well, since it’s your birthday, I’ll buy you a drink. In fact, this one is on me.’As the woman finishes her drink, the woman to her right says, ‘I would like to buy you a drink, too.’

The old woman says, ‘Thank you. Bartender, I want a Scotch with two drops of water.’ ‘Coming up,’ says the bartender

As she finishes that drink, the man to her left says, ‘I would like to buy you one, too..’The old woman says, ‘Thank you. Bartender, I want another Scotch with two drops of water.’ ‘Coming right up,’ the bartender says.

As he gives her the drink, he says, ‘Ma’am, I’m dying of curiosity. Why the Scotch with only two drops of water?’

The old woman replies, ‘Sonny, when you’re my age, you’ve learned how to hold your liquor. Holding your water, however, is a whole nother issue.’

Haitian beer Prestige won a gold medal yesterday for Best American-Style Cream or Ale. It took category #42 at the winners’ banquet during the World Beer Cup competition in San Diego.

Prestige beer is an American-style lager produced by Brasserie Nationale d’Haiti in Port-au-Prince.

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Low Carb Confidential has some nice writing and insight on low carb dieting.  I recommend a peek.