Rum in the News
WEST INDIES & SPIRITS PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
Caribbean Rum producers recently met in Barbados to discuss how best to protect the intellectual property behind the region. The attending members of the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), heard from several experts, including Francis Fay, head of Geographical Indications in the European Union Commission and Bernard O’Connor, a well-respected international attorney on intellectual property and author on geographical indications.
The half-day panel discussion examined the establishment of Geographical Indications (GIs) for rums from individual countries. Several in the grouping , Barbados, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Guyana, are close to or have already established national GIs for their products. Participants also discussed ways to protect and advance the reputation of the Authentic Caribbean Rums produced by WIRSPA members.
Speaking at a reception and tasting of member brands, Komal Samaroo, Chairman of the grouping and head of the Demerara Distillers conglomerate, observed that while the industry was one of the oldest in the region, its future potential was considerable. Already the largest agro-based export earner, after minerals, for CARICOM/CARIFORUM states, it also its premier export product with an international reputation for quality. “Protecting this heritage and developing the opportunity,” said Samaroo, “called for careful management of the intellectual property intrinsic to the value of the product.” The panel discussion and the view of the international experts were that a participatory approach, based on broad consensus, was a key factor in successfully realizing the potential of the industry in the global market. Also speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for Barbados, the Hon. Indar A. Weir, gave his government’s commitment to supporting the industry, to achieve its full potential in the international market. The Caribbean is widely regarded as the “home” of rum and where the word ‘rum’ was first coined. Its countries have long been famed for their products and many have historical records showing rum being produced here since the 17th century. http:// www.wirspa.com/
CAPTAIN MORGAN
Spirit Business reported that Diageo is “very focused on getting the energy back into Captain Morgan” after the rum brand’s half-year sales declined. They quoted CEO Ivan Menezes who spoke at a Diageo roundtable last month “rum has been tough for us. The spirits sector is so dynamic in the US. [It’s] very attractive, fast growing, premiumising nicely with lots of excitement in whisk(e)y and lots of excitement in Tequila. Even vodka brands that are on trend are doing really well. Rum is a more muted category. It’s been tougher. Captain Morgan, as a result, is not performing well. It’s not in growth. We’re very focused on getting the energy back into Captain Morgan so there’s a lot of work going on that. It will take time.”
www. captainmorgan.com
ZAYA
Zaya Gran Reserva Rum of Trinidad and Tobago, imported by Infinium Spirits, announced the release of a newly-designed bottle with a revised age statement, which is now included on the label. Zaya Gran Reserva, the number one ultra-premium rum (Nielsen, Nov. 3, 2018), is comprised of a blend of rare rums aged up to 16 years, carefully selected by the Zaya master blender to achieve a delicate balance and unique profile. On the palate, Zaya offers rich notes of vanilla, caramel, cocoa, apple, banana and cherry and gives way to a heavy, velvety smooth finish. The new Zaya Gran Reserva Rum bottle pays homage to Trinidad and Tobago, also known as the “Land of the Hummingbird,” by including this phrase and a golden hummingbird on a medallion imprinted in the glass between the neck and the label. Golden hummingbirds can also be found alongside imagery of the country’s national flower, the chaconia, on the bottle’s new teal neck. Mirroring the teal neck are teal accents on the medallion and label, as reference to the tropical waters surrounding the island. Now in a slimmer, sleeker glass bottle, Zaya also features a longer neck for ease of pouring and a cork closure on top. This rum is ideal for sipping on its own or mixing in tiki-style cocktails. www.infiniumspirits.com/ brands/zaya/.
BUMBU RUM
Bumbu Rum Company announced Bumbu XO, a small-batch ultra-premium rum aged up to 18 years in bourbon barrels and finished in white oak sherry barrels from Andalusia, Spain. Bumbu XO is distilled and aged at a 120-year old Panamanian distillery and proudly uses only local sugarcane and pure spring water. Alongside Bumbu XO in the Bumbu Rum Co. portfolio is the award-winning Original Bumbu, the Barbadian craft rum popularized by Lil Wayne. Wayne, an early supporter of the brand, was featured in Bumbu’s first marketing campaigns from 2018, dubbing the rum the “G.O.A.T.,” or Greatest Of All Time. http://www.bumbu.com/
JAMAICAN RUM FESTIVAL
The Jamaican Rum Festival, scheduled for March 9th and 10th at the hope Botanical Gardens in St. Andrew, will be jointly staged by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), in collaboration with J. Wray and Nephew Limited’s Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum. JIS news reported that Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Jamaica Rum Festival will serve to further enhance the country’s global appeal as a travel destination. speaking at the February 5th launch at Jamaica house, Mr. Bartlett said the festival will help to boost repeat business for the island, once it becomes an annual fixture. TEF Executive Director, Dr. Carey Wallace, who indicated that approximately $10 million has been invested in the festival, expressed the hope that it will be staged annually “so that tourism grows in leaps and bounds”. J. Wray and Nephew Limited’s Director of Marketing, Jacopo Borsa, said the goal is to create the best rum festival globally, compared to those staged in the United States of America and Europe. Master bender at Wray and Nephew, Joy Spence, will be leading a master class in rum production. On board with the initiative is the 87-year-old Spirits Pool Association Limited which represents all six rum distilleries in Jamaica. Chairman of Spirits Pool Association Limited, Evon Brown, stated that the organization is pleased to support and endorse the Jamaica Rum Festival. “The collaborative event will be integral in giving positive exposure to Jamaica’s centuries-old rum industry and bring local and international focus to Jamaica’s top-quality rums and other spirits.
E&A SCHEER AND THE RIVERSIDE COMPANY
The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, has made a significant investment in E&A Scheer, the largest global blender and vendor of premium rum in bulk. “We are thrilled to add the Scheer investment to our portfolio,” said Riverside partner Karsten Langer. Carsten Vlierboom, E&A Scheer Managing Director, said: “Scheer has been family-owned for most of its 300-year history, so it was important to find a partner who would respect this heritage while helping the company seize the current growth opportunities."
HAVANA CLUB
Pernod Ricard and Havana Club, have released the fourth installment in its limited edition, luxury range of Cuban rums, Tributo 2019. To create the new expression, three generations of Maestros del Ron Cubano,(masters of Cuban rum), came together for a blending exercise, including Don José Navarro, primer maestro del Ron Cubano; Asbel Morales, maestro del Ron Cubano; and Salomé Aleman, the first and only female maestra del Ron Cubano. Each maestro selected a rare and extra-aged rum base, representing their own style, which were left to mature in the 1970s, 1990s, 2010s. The bases, including one that has been matured in rare cognac casks, were combined and blended with a rum that has rested for over 25 years in French oak barrels. Havana Club Tributo 2019 is said to have notes of dry fruits and oak on the nose, with flavors of vanilla, dried fruits and roasted almonds on the palate. The rum is presented in a luxury wooden box and each bottle is numbered and personalized with the signature of the three masters. Only 2,500 bottles of Havana Club Tributo 2019 have been created. Bottled at 40% ABV, the rum will be available in over 20 markets, starting March 2019. Asbel Morales, Havana Club’s maestro del Ron Cubano, said “Once again, the Havana Club Tributo collection praises the richness and variety of styles that form the base of the authentic Cuban rum category. Each rum in the Tributo range uniquely focuses on a different element of the production process, from our ancient rum bases to cask experimentation, and the 2019 edition continues this story by honoring the craftsmanship of three of the maestros del Ron Cubano. It has been a privilege to craft Havana Club Tributo 2019 with Don José Navarro and Salomé Aleman and pay homage to the masters of Cuban rum, past and present, whose commitment to quality has always ensured that Havana Club has the very best rums in the world.” www.havana-club.com
BRUGAL RUM
A fire broke out at the Brugal rum distillery in the Dominican Republic last month and two employees were injured. According to a press release posted on the Casa Brugal website, the fire started on the morning of February 14th in one of the puerto plata site’s warehouses. The blaze was completely extinguished two days later on the morning of the 16th. The company said more than 50% of the debris has been removed. During attempts to put out the fire, twelve firefighters and two Brugal employees were “affected in different circumstances” and received medical attention. According to the Brugal post, one firefighter was affected by smoke inhalation and an employee, Francis José González, suffered a broken ankle after being hit by a forklift and had to undergo surgery. The statement praised local first responders. “Thanks to the rapid action of the firemen and rescue workers, their professionalism and the operation followed to prevent the flames from expanding, the fire was controlled, impacting only one of our warehouses.” Brugal Rum is owned by Scottish spirits firm Edrington, which produces Scotch whisky brands The Macallan, The Famous Grouse and Highland Park.
www. brugal-rum.com
TWO RUM CITIES
The following is a rough, google translation from a post on the French RCI.FM radio website:
The project of a rhum city in Martinique has been approved by the public authorities. Yet a similar private project could soon see the day in Guadeloupe. Will Martinique and Guadeloupe each have their “rhum cities”? This is what could happen given the projects involved. Certainly the record of the rhum city planned in Martinique is moving ahead. The initiative is led by the association Contact-Entreprise and the CODERUM (Organization Committee for the Defense of Rhum). Mixed financing would be provided by the public and the private sector for a total cost of 30 to 40 million euros.
The councilors of the assembly of Martinique expressed a motion of support for the project of the city of rhum during the plenary of February. They also expressed the wish that a follow-up be put in place for the completion of this project. The final project could see the light of day in 7 or 10 years.
A prefiguration association will be created in the coming days to ensure that the necessary conditions for activities can be met. This association will be composed of members of Contact Entreprise, elected representativesand rhum professionals. They will take care toapproach the distilleries all over the world, find a place (the former courier of Fort-de-France was mentioned) and what will be in this city. In Martinique, the City of Rhum will be modeled on the city of Bordeaux wine. Rhums/rums from around the world will be exposed. The idea is to show the know-how, the heritage around the rum. “World capital of Rhum”
However, the Martinique project could have a competitor 200 kilometers to the north. Indeed, a Guadeloupean initiative of the same order is in the boxes. Modestly called “ Ile de Guadeloupe, Rhum World Capital”’ the idea is similar to the city of rhum Martinique. We should find rums from all over the world. The project has been conducted for 2 years by a private investor who wishes for the moment to remain discreet. The project leader has the support of all Guadeloupe. www.rci.fm/infos/economie/ deux-cites-du-rhum-valent-elles-mieux-quune
RON DEL BARRILITO
Ron del Barrilito now has an official Ron del Barrilito store, in the brand-new Visitor’s Center. You can stop by after a tour or just come straight to the store to get any of their rums or exclusive merchandise. They now offer three tours:
The Heritage Tour - learn about the history and unique craftsmanship of Ron del Barrilito, the oldest Puerto Rican rum, still made in the same place and in the same way since 1880. This tour will take you back in time to show you how the world’s finest sipping rum has been made through the years. You’ll see the hacienda’s several historical landmarks, including a beautifully preserved mansion and windmill dating all the way back to the early nineteenth century. You’ll learn about the Fernández family who created Ron del Barrilito. And, last but not least, you’ll get an in-depth walkthrough along the age- old process that makes Ron del Barrilito one of a kind. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a complimentary Ron del Barrilito rum cocktail at the Visitor’s Center before beginning your tour. After the tour ends, you are welcome to stay and relax for a while at Hacienda Santa Ana’s grounds, enjoy more cocktails at the bar or explore the gift shop.
The Mixology Tour - improve your bartending game with interactive classes taught by superstar mixologists who will show you how to make show-stopping cocktails such as Old Fashioned, Presidente, and Hemingway Daiquiri. If you plan on buying a couple of bottles for your home bar, this mixology experience is a must. some of the island’s best bartenders will show you the basics of making bar-quality cocktails in your own home. This is not Mojitos 101. You will use Ron del Barrilito to craft some of today’s most elegant drinks. By the end of the class, you’ll be able to easily impress your guests with your bartending moves at your next party.
The Tasting Tour - When you age rum, some of it naturally evaporates from the barrel. This is called the Angel’s Share. What the Angels didn’t get can be yours when you book the best and most exclusive rum tasting experience in the Caribbean, a unique opportunity to sip and enjoy all of their rums, from the cult- classic Two Stars to the extremely limited- edition Five Stars, You will get to taste it all, from the fruit notes of Dos Estrellas to the cult-classic, Tres Estrellas. You will also sip Ron del Barrilito Cuatro Estrellas, a new blend available exclusively at Hacienda Santa Ana, and of course, the crown jewel: Cinco Estrellas. There’s no better opportunity to taste all of these world-class rums in a single tasting. https://rondelbarrilito.com/
-----Article written by Mike Kunetka-----
