Rum is
delicious. Whether the rum comes from Martinique, Venezuela, Barbados or
Tennessee, it's all delicious. I was again reminded of that very thing again
this weekend past. Spirits authority Jack Robertiello and I were co-hosts of
the 2nd annual International Cane Spirit Festival held at the
historic Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida. Eighty premium rums, rhums and
cachaças were entered into the competitive blind tasting. While the highly
publicized event was a smashing success, what's most important to keep in mind
is that Jack and I had an absolutely grand time.
The
esteemed panel of judges included Ian Williams, author of Rum, The Social
and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of '76 (Avalon Books, 2005) and Wayne Curtis,
author of And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails (Crown, 2006). Judges also were Louise
Owens, spirits writer and syndicated journalist; Ian Burrell, mixologist and
Britain's widely acknowledged rum ambassador; Rick Crossland, senior vice
president of culinary and beverage development for Bahama Breeze Restaurant;
Arturo Sighinolfi, spirits educator and master mixologist for Southern Wine
and Spirits of South
Florida, and Amsterdam's Rene van Hoven, a noted rum aficionado, journalist and
creator of Mr. Rumpages.com. Joining this year panel was Terry Jones, manager
of Orlando-based ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, rum enthusiast Robert Adams Burr
of Coral Gables, Paul "Rum Daddy" Artrip and Eric What's-his-name, owner of the
Something, of Ybor City.
Over
the two days we evaluated the qualities and characteristics of 79 rums, rhums
and cachaças, a genuinely impressive field of entries from the world's most
renowned distillers. After two days of scrutiny we awarded Gold, Silver, Bronze
and Best in Category honors to the elite spirits at a gala event on Saturday
night. The winners highlight the strength and inherent quality of cane spirits.
Curious
who walked away with the big medals? This year's "Best Of Category" including:
•
Best White Rum -- Prichard's Crystal
•
Best Dark Rum -- One Barrel
•
Best Rhum Agricole (Unaged) -- Rhum Clément Première Canne
•
Best Rhum Agricole (Aged) -- [TIE] Rhum J.M V.S.O.P. & Rhum J.M. 1997
•
Best Aged Rum (up to 8 years) -- Tortuga 5 Year Old
•
Best Aged Rum (9-15 years) -- [TIE]
Diplomatico
Reserva Exclusiva & Tortuga 12 Year Old
•
Best Aged Rum (over 15 years) -- [TIE]
Ron
Zacapa Centenario 23 Year Old &
Santa Teresa 1796
•
Best Cachaça (Unaged) -- Agua Luca
•
Best Cachaça (Aged) -- Ypióca 160
•
Best Liqueur/Flavor/Cream -- Araku Rum & Coffee Liqueur
Special
kudos and congratulations were richly by Dori Bryant, the event's coordinator
and president of Polished Palate, the company behind the International Cane
Spirits Festival.
If
you can possibly make next year's rum competition, do it.
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