From the Editor
Festive Times Ahead
February is upon us, covering up most of us in the Northern Hemisphere with a veil of hibernation. Focusing on the current state of nature is not very encouraging, but every now and then we get glimpses of hope when we pierce through the veil’s translucent fabric, uncovering promises of what will be fully revealed when it is finally lifted from us.
Luis ayala
Japanese historical novelist Eiji Yoshikawa once wrote:“The bitter winds in February were sometimes called the First East Winds, but the longing for spring somehow made them seem more piercing.
“Fortunately for us, there are celebrations to occupy our minds and bodies while still “under winter’s veil,” such as Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. Soon we’ll come to the end of sugarcane harvest season too (in this part of the world), accompanied by its share of Crop Over festivities.
In the coming months, rum festivals will also start to pop-up around the world, like the first flowers of spring. But unlike these early flowers, “rum festival season” continues to “bloom” throughout the rest of the year, perhaps our attempt to delay as much as possible the inevitable arrival of winter.
This issue is packed with recipes and information designed to help you enjoy the indoors, while patiently awaiting for the festivities (or warmer weather) to start around you. We have another great Exclusive Interview, this time with Mr. Gordon Clarke from Worthy Park Estate in Jamaica (pgs. 58-65), providing fascinating facts about sugarcane and rum production on that lovely island nation. Marco Pierini also continues his exploration of the Royal Commission on Whiskey and Other Potable Spirits, focusing on the testimony of Special Commissioner James Coney Nolan, also from Jamaica.
And, of course, the rest of the “Got Rum?” team continues to thrill, educate and inform our readers with their excellent monthly columns!
Cheers,