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Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits Inc., producers of Wicked Dolphin rums and Rum Shine flavored rums.
JoAnn Elardo
Margaret Ayala, Publisher for "Got Rum?" magazine, interviews Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits (producers of Wicked Dolphin Rums including Rum Shine Rums), in the October 2014 issue.
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Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits Inc., producers of Wicked Dolphin rums and Rum Shine flavored rums.
JoAnn Elardo in factory
Margaret Ayala, Publisher for "Got Rum?" magazine, interviews Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits (producers of Wicked Dolphin Rums including Rum Shine Rums), in the October 2014 issue.
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Wicked Dolphin Rums produced by Cape Spirits Inc located in Cape Coral, Florida.
Wicked Dolphin Rums
Margaret Ayala, Publisher for "Got Rum?" magazine, interviews Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits (producers of Wicked Dolphin Rums including Rum Shine Rums), in the October 2014 issue.
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Rum Shine Rums produced by Cape Spirits Inc. located in Cape Coral, Florida.
Rum Shine Rums
Margaret Ayala, Publisher for "Got Rum?" magazine, interviews Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits (producers of Wicked Dolphin Rums including Rum Shine Rums), in the October 2014 issue.
Exclusive Interview with Mrs. JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits Inc.
One of the things I enjoy the most about real craft distillers is that their products, even their company names, are often inspired by true stories. Some of these stories, however, are not easily shared with consumers, since it would be impossible to spend enough face-to- face time with all of them. For this reason, we at “Got Rum?” strive to interview the people behind the products, to give them an opportunity to share the origin of their passion, the driving force and motivation behind the arduous day to day work needed to make their rums a reality. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing JoAnn, whose passion and dedication to the craft is reflected in the high quality rums she produces with her team.
Cheers!
Margaret Ayala, Publisher
What is your full name, title, company name and company location?
JoAnn Elardo – Founder, Cape Spir itsInc. – Brand: Wicked Dolphin Rum. We’re located at 131 SW 3rd Pl, Cape Coral,FL (239)242-5244.
Can you tell us a little bit about Wicked Dolphin Distillery, what inspired you to start the company and how you came up with your company name?
I have been a Rum drinker and connoisseur for years. I sold my previous company in 2008, the same year this area of Florida was devastated with the economic downturn. I had been following the Sugar business in Florida for some time– Florida grows about 50% of the Sugarcane for the US market. As I was reading about this one night, I was having a cocktail. After a sip of a very bad drink I looked to see where the rum was made and decided we need to have a Florida Rum! So, it started…
My husband and I live on the Caloosahatchee River right off the Gulf of Mexico. Everyday my dogs run along the seawall after the dolphins. One evening after going to sleep I was awoken about 3am by a low growl. I woke my husband and told him I thought someone was breaking in. He checked the house and replied, “That Wicked Dolphin is Back!” As I laid in bed and thought “That’s funny and would make a pretty good name.” I am glad he did not say something I can’t print.
You are not the first distillery in Florida, but you are certainly the one making the biggest waves. Was this the plan from the beginning?
Our plan from the outset was to make rum we can be proud of, using the best ingredients we could get our hands on. We started winning awards early on, from some of the most respected people in the industry, so we knew we had to stay on that track.
What types of obstacles did you encounter in Florida when you tried to get all the licensing needed to start your distillery? When it comes to starting a craft distillery, do you think your state is easier or tougher than others in the country?
I would say Florida is a very tough state. I was not the first, but one of the first to try for distillery licensing. The authorities, not having existing companies to reference, did not have anyone to ask. So it seemed no one wanted to help or approve us. We learned a lot in that first year.
Why did you decide to produce rum and not another distilled spirit?
The simple answer is: Florida’s rich and fertile Sugarcane fields are 35 minutes from the distillery and I love all types of Rum. In the near future you will see us producing a few different varieties. I have also been experimenting with a few other spirits, so do not be surprised to see something else from Wicked Dolphin soon.
Please tell us a little bit about each of your rums.
Our first rum, Wicked Dolphin Silver, which we launched in April of 2012, is a premium rum made with Grade A brown sugar. We take a short hearts cut to get really high quality rum. We take that rum and age it for a minimum of 1 year in some of the best once used bourbon barrels we can find. Before we bottle, we take that aged rum and mix it with premium rum off the still, and blend. Our Silver has a blond hue, from the aged rum, and smooth taste with hints of vanilla and butterscotch. It really is great with Rum & Coke or just on the rocks!
Our next Rum was Wicked Dolphin Spiced Rum, and this was a lot of fun to create. Dan, my nephew and gifted Distiller, wanted something different…a Florida Spiced! We noticed a lot of the main stream spiced rums were so similar and not authentic tasting. We are in the land of spices and citrus here in Florida, and we wanted to use them. Our Spiced has aged rum added to it to give it a creamy finish; you cannot forget that Florida is famous for oranges, so we used plenty of them along with honey from bees in our area. It is different, but feels right in this tropical environment.
RumShine is our newest Spirit. I was looking for something different, a new product that was not being done a lot in the industry or by large brands. I love History and was inspired by local lore. The result is RumShine, a great tasting, quality product, using simple ingredients. Here is the story on our label: “The River of Grass” – The Everglades was worked by a rough bunch of men, called Gladesmen. They worked in the summer heat, in the Swamps, with snakes and alligators as big as boats. These Gladesmen supplied the East coast with Cane Juice – Sugarcane. They worked hard and long. These men and women brought with them the skill to turn Sugar into Shine.
We honor that tradition with Wicked Dolphin’s “RumShine.”
We have 3 RumShine flavors at the moment: Strawberry, Blueberry & Apple Pie.
Strawberry RumShine – Fresh Florida strawberry’s infused in an Award winning Rum made with the very best Florida sugarcane. This creates a flavor of Creamy sun ripened strawberries, ending with a cool sweet refreshing finish with a kick. Strawberry RumShine is 100 proof.
Blueberry RumShine – Fresh Florida Blueberries infused in an Award winning Wicked Dolphin Rum made with the very best Florida sugarcane. A nice full body berry taste with sweet notes throughout. This is a Great Spirit to enjoy on its own or with a mixer. Blueberry RumShine is 100 proof.
Apple Pie RumShine – This RumShine flavor is reminiscent of having a great slice of apple pie. A fresh clean apple taste, that is sweet and delicious, is enhanced by the spices of nutmeg, cinnamon and other homemade spices. Apple Pie RumShine is 70 proof.
Do you have plans to produce more rums?
So many more…We love to experiment. Our next release will be Wicked Dolphin Coconut Rum. Dan & I have worked on this for 2 years and we know we now have it right. Look for this in November.
We also have a Gold Reserve due out in December; it’s a special blend that we are eager to launch for the holidays. It ’s great in cocktails and even better on the rocks.
Are your new rums a response to customer feedback from traffic coming through your distillery or are they a response to new trends you are seeing in the rum industry?
It is a bit of both. People on vacation seem to want a tropical cocktail and rum, while the more seasoned rum aficionado prefers a neat or a stronger cocktail. We are currently doing some really different barrel aged cocktails that seems to be a trend in the industry.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a craft distillery in the USA and more specifically in Florida?
We get about 4 people a week coming in with plans to start a distillery in Florida. I tell them, it might look fun and it is sometimes, but it is not a hobby. It is hard work. Our distillery hits temperatures of 100°+ and we work very hard for long hours. The rules and regulations for the super brands are not the same for us, so it is not a level playing field. It’s a tough fight that is constant. On the other hand, we love our jobs. We create a Spirit that is meant to be enjoyed. When I am in a bar or restaurant and see someone ask for Wicked Dolphin Rum, it really makes it all worth it.
We are currently seeing a shortage of new and used oak barrels in the industry, did you anticipate this shortage and prepared ahead of time?
Dan Termini, our Distiller, saw this problem start more than a year ago, and has made provisions. It has also pushed us to try some new interesting barrels. This is not something negatively affecting us at the moment.
“Craft distilling” seems to be a very loose term to describe many of today’s small distilleries. Do you believe the term should be tied somehow to the quality of the distillate being produced, or only to its quantity?
I was disappointed recently because I purchased a Craft Artisan Bread and when I looked at the label, found out it was a major brand charging an enormous amount for a mass produced product. Should I have been disappointed? I just don’t know, it was good bread and it was made with good ingredients. I think we all think “craft” is small and specially made. It would be good if we could come up with a way to actually have a special rule that makes it “craft.” I just don’t have a clue as to how to do this. I do think the American Distillers Institute and American Craft Distillers reputable organizations have been working on some good solutions by actually having a certification stamp. It’s a start.
Do you offer tours of your distillery?
We do have tours here at Wicked Dolphin Distillery. Presently we offer them three times per week Tuesday, Thursdays and some Saturdays. Please check our webpage, www.wickeddolphin.com, for available dates, reservations and tour times. In Florida, the current law allows us to sell only 2 bottles of spirits to a customer, per year. (I told you Florida was tough.) This is not enough to sustain a Distillery Tour business. You really need to have great distribution.
If people want to contact you, how may they reach you?
Drop me a line at joann@wickeddolphin.com or you can call Wicked Dolphin at (239)242-5244.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you are ever in our neck of the woods, Southwest Florida, please give us a call or stop in. We have great tours and tastings here at the distillery. Our staff, led by Dan, Matt and John, love what they do, and do an exceptional job at it. They strive to put out an exceptional Florida Rum and are always interested to hear ideas and thoughts.