The Chicago Ministry of Rum Festival has been scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the Bottom Lounge. Other rum related events will happen on the preceding Thursday and Friday.
The latest details are at the Chicago Ministry of Rum Festival page at the Ministry of Rum site.
I attended in 2008 and had a great time – I’m hoping my schedule will allow me to attend again this year.
“The cocktail world (is) facing a crisis of immense proportions, with tales of bars hoarding bitters, of distributors rationing three bottles per bar, of an emerging black market in Angostura.
Apparently, the shortage stems from a dispute between the House of Angostura in Trinidad and the company that supplies its bottles. Production was halted in November. A limited amount has resumed, but operation at full capacity isn’t expected until next month. In an average year, sales of Angostura in the United States total about 750,000 four-ounce bottles, so the shortage has a wide-ranging effect.”
The Washington Post continues with a solution to lack of bitters for Manhattans: “You also can switch out the whiskey entirely and turn to a Rum Manhattan, which may be the Cocktail of the Moment. Now, I’m not totally sure I buy into all the overheated chatter that some of my fellow drinks journalists and bloggers are heaping on rum. If you’ve missed it: Everybody in the know is drinking rum.”
Eric Asimov of the New York Times writes “Older Isn’t Always Better“. I disagree with his premise, particularly his list of top 10 aged rums. Comparing Barbancourt 15, El Dorado 15, and Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva to Barcardi 8 shows his ignorance about aged rums. And to call Bacardi 8 a “Best Value”? Go back to your bubblegum flavored vodka, please.
Robert A. and Robert V. Burr have a nice review of my favorite rum, Ron Zacapa Centenario Solera 23. Check out the article, and if you try the rum, remember that some of the fine spirits on your glass were barreled when Ronal Reagan was president…
ST. THOMAS – After hours of questioning and debating the merits of an agreement between the government and Cruzan VIRIL, senators on Tuesday voted 13-2 to ratify the contract.
The deal will keep Cruzan on St. Croix for at least the next 30 years, while also obligating a portion of the territory’s future rum tax revenues from the sale of Cruzan-produced bulk and branded rums in the U.S. to build the company a wastewater treatment facility, expand the Cruzan distillery to increase its production capacity, and also help support Cruzan’s marketing efforts.
The deal also continues the government’s molasses subsidy support to the company, to be paid through rum tax revenues, and continues Cruzan’s package of Economic Development Authority benefits through the life of the agreement.
“We’re not just voting on the document that is in front of us today,” Sen. President Louis Hill said in the moments before the vote was taken. “We are voting on people’s lives. It’s people’s lives that we affect.”
Government officials say the deal stands to increase the territory’s gross rum tax revenues from the sale of Cruzan-produced bulk and branded rum in the U.S. from $91.9 million last year to $198.6 million by 2016, while increasing Cruzan’s production capacity by 50 percent.
RnD Rum Reviews has posted 2 reviews of Diplomatico Blanco, a white rum from Venezuela. I won’t spoil the review, so Ill just say I can’t wait to get my hands on a bottle.
http://www.rndrumreviews.com/RnDRumReviews/Diplomatico_Blanco_-_Rogers_Review.html
http://www.rndrumreviews.com/RnDRumReviews/Diplomatico_Blanco_-_Daves_Review.html
A close relative of the Darn’n'Stormy created by Jon Bonne of the SFChronicle.
2 ounces Ron Pampero Aniversario or other dark, aged rum
1/2 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
1/4 ounce lime juice
4 oz Blenheim ginger ale (hot, preferably)
1 slice lime for garnish (optional)
Mix rum, Canton and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Either strain over fresh ice cubes into a highball glass and top with ginger ale, or strain into small goblet and add chilled ginger ale. Garnish with lime.
“…An authentic Hemingway experience as Key West welcomes the world of Ernest Hemingway fanatics, historians, authors, outdoorsmen and those that love sitting in the shade and enjoying a great rum drink.”
We are reminded of some notable quotes by the author himself:
“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.”
“An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.”
“Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind and I like to write standing up.”
RnD Rum Reviews announced 4 new rum reviews for you to check out this month including Bambarra 8 Year Reserve, Castro Añejo, Havana Club Cuban Barrel Proof, and Ocumare Añejo. Stop by their news page and see what’s new!
