Day 328 Drink: Banks 5 Island Rum

Joseph Banks Rums Corp. launched Banks 5 Island Rum in August 2010. Named for English naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, Banks 5 Island Rum combines aged and unaged, pot and column-distilled rums including mature Trinidadian rum, aromatic Jamaican rum, grassy Guyanese rum, clean Barbados rum and Indonesian Batavia arrack.

Banks 5 Island Rum is a clear 86 proof rum with a tropical nose. The rum has more depth than most white rums you will encounter. There is a unique spice quality to the flavor base -- ginger perhaps -- and a just a fleating sense of smoke in the finish.

Day 310 Drink: Plantation Grande Reserve Rum

Plantation Rum is distilled in Barbados, Jamaica, Panama, Grenada, Trinidad, Guyana and Nicaragua and aged for a period of time, then shipped to France where the cellar master at Cognac Ferrand transfers the liquid to small French oak casks.

Plantation Grande Reserve Rum is aged for five years in ex-Bourbon barrels in Barbados, then shipped to France. The 80 proof rum has has a sweet nose. The flavor is pretty complex for a 5-year-old rum. Nice oak and vanilla upfront, tropical notes and a faint nutty finish.

Day 293 Drink: Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum

Gosling's has been making rum since 1806. Gossling's Black Seal Rum is a liquid symbol of Bermuda. A family business for two centuries, Gosling's is the leading export from the island nation.

Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum is a rich amber color and has an attractive maple nose. The flavor is big and rich. Sweet baking spices, plum and some wood pushes forward. Not a light rum for a fruity cocktail, this one should be sipped and savored.

Day 277 Drink: BlackBeard Spiced Rum

Destileria Serralles produces the DonQ brand in Puerto Rico, which is the number one selling brand on the island where the lion's share of rum consumed in the U.S. is distilled.

BlackBeard Spiced Rum is new from Serralles. I will admit to not being a huge consumer of spiced rums -- they tend to be a bit over the top for my palate, so I was not entirely sure what to expect when I cracked open the sample they shipped to me.

BlackBeard Spiced Rum pours a rich amber color and has an inviting vanilla nose. There is a slight sense of cinnamon in the middle of the flavor profile on this rum, but for the most part BlackBeard is carried along by the vanilla notes, with a bit of toffee in the finish. This is a pleasant drink that should go well in a variety of cocktails.

Day 210 Drink: Koloa Kauai Gold Hawaiian Rum

Hawaii's first sugar plantation was located on Kauai. Where there is sugar, rum is usually not far behind. The Koloa Rum Co. was set up in 2001 as a way to support the sugar industry and create jobs on Kauai. Sugar mills that had first opened on the island in the 1830s were closing at an alarming rate by the 1980s. The company uses molasses and sugar from Gay & Robinson Plantation

Koloa Kauai Gold Hawaiian Rum is an 80 proof spirit that pours a light golden color. The aroma is a combination of cotton candy and floral notes. The rum's flavor is a caramel, toffee and tropical notes in a mellow overall package.

Day 126 Drink: Bacardi Torched Cherry Rum

Bacardi has been around since 1862 when founder Don Facundo Bacardi began producing a light-bodied, smooth rum in Cuba. Today, Bacardi rum is produced in Puerto Rico, using a five step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times. The distillery sits on a beautiful piece of land on the coast outside of San Juan.

The latest flavored rum from Bacardi is Torched Cherry. The 70 proof rum combines Barbados cherries with an infusion of the Torch Plant aloe. The result is a spirit that has a sweet cherry soda nose, with perhaps just a hint of cherry cough syrup. The flavor is a cobination of sweet notes to start, with a tart finish. Bacardi recommends making a Cherry Rum and Coke with this spirit and that will work quite nicely as a summer cocktail.

Day 6 Drink: Dark 'n Stormy

I had not had one of these cocktails in years, but spied a can of ginger beer on the back bar a Tommy Bahama's in Sarasota and figured it might just take the chill out of the Florida night.

The Dark 'n Stormy is pretty much the official drink of Bermuda and the local rum, Gosling's, has slapped a trademark on the name. It is easy to make and darn satisfying.

In a cocktail glass, fill with ice, add 2 ounces of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and top with Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer. Garnish with a lime wedge. Stir the ingredients and you are set to go.

Rum is the Latest Weapon Against Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart is a magnet for protesters. The retail giant has been charged with everything from destroying the mom and pop store to union busting.

Add to the list Yankee Imperialism against rum from Cuba and Venezuela.


Wal-Mart is in the midst of a $2.66 billion takeover bid for Distribucion y Servicio D&S SA, a large grocery retailer in Chile. Now competitors of D&S and members of the Chilean legislature are charging that if the Wal-Mart acquires the stores it will blacklist products from up to 15 countries that have poor relationships with the United States.

The allegations include charges that D&S managers have already been told products from Iran, North Korea and Sudan will no longer be sold at the store. High on the list of potentially banned products are Havana Club and Varadero from Cuba and Diploamtico and Pampero from Venezuela. News reports claim prices on the offending rums have already been cut in a pre-Wal-Mart clearance sale.

Chilean Rep. Eugenio Tuma and Rep. Rodrigo Gonzalez have called for an investigation of Wal-Mart saying that if the allegations are true it would not only restrict free trade, but also damage Chile's sovereignty.

D&S controls about a third of the Chilean grocery market. Wal-Mart is based in Bentonville, Ark., and operates stores in 14 countries, including Brazil and Argentina.

Tuesday Tasting: Recent Arrivals from the Spirits World

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we taste six different unique spirits.

My magazine writing means that I get a steady stream of samples connected to the features and columns I'm working on. My editors want tasting notes, so I taste. I don't complain. I'm also lucky to receive the occasional odd sample of beer, wine and spirits that is not directly related to anything that I happen to be writing for deadline. I try whenever possible to share some background on these through the Tuesday Tastings section of my blog. It is research for down the road and some of these products end up in future stories.

Consider this Tuesday Tasting to be a bit of a catch up round. The following spirits have arrived in recent months and deserve a little attention.

Sobieski Vodka: This 80 proof vodka from Poland is named for King Jan Sobieski (1629-1696) and made using Dankowski rye. It has a slightly sweet nose and a crisp, clean flavor.

1800 Select Silver Tequila: From Jose Cuervo, this Tequila is 100 proof and 100 percent agave. The double distillation creates a Tequila with a rich agave notes of grass and earth. Long lasting flavor with pepper finish that might make you think you are tasting a reposado.

Ty Ku Liqueur: This 40 proof liqueur is made with sake. Light hazy green color and interesting aroma. A number of ingredients go into the liqueur, including ginseng and damiana. Overall this has citrus and sweet candy flavor notes. The bottle comes with a LED light in the base that you can activate so it gives off a glow on the back bar.

Mata Hari Absinthe Bohemian: At 120 proof this light green colored drink comes screaming out of the bottle. Rich herbal nose. The drink contains grand wormwood and salvia among its ingredients. Burning note at the start due to the alcohol, solid long herbal aftertaste and slight bitterness.

Hiram Walker Pumpkin Liqueur: This 60 proof liqueur is orange with a mellow, slightly sweet nose. Hints of pie filling and toffee in the flavor base.

Cruzan Coconut Rum: This clear 55 proof spirit has a direct coconut nose and flavor. It starts off sweet and stays that way. Would be perfect for mixing tropical drinks.

While some of these products might be good straight, chances are you'll want to enjoy them in cocktails. In doing these tastings, I made a couple of drinks for my wife, Sandy, and brother-in-law, Dan Pikarsky. There is quite a difference in the tastes, but both were refreshingly different.

Pumpkin Martini

1.5 ounces Vodka
0.75 ounce Pumpkin Liqueur
2 ounces Orange Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Vigorously shake for 30 seconds. Pour into a martini glass rimmed with brown sugar.

Le Demon Vert

1.5 ounces Gin
0.5 ounce Absinthe
0.5 ounce Velvet Falernum
0.5 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

Add all ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a licorice stick.

Tuesday Tasting: Gosling's Rum

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we head to Bermuda to enjoy some run.

The current issue of DRAFT magazine has just hit the newsstands. The "Leisure Issue" has actor John O'Hurley (Jacopo Peterman for all you Seinfeld fans) on the cover and an article that I wrote about rum on the inside. As part of developing the story I had the chance to speak with Malcolm Gosling, president and chief executive officer of Gosling-Castle Partners, which imports rum from Bermuda.

Gosling says that rum is “enjoyment in a bottle,” noting the versatility of rum, from frozen drinks to aged spirits perfect for nightcap sipping. Rum’s ability to evoke a mood and a place is also a big part of the drink experience. The Dark and Stormy, a mixture of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and ginger beer, is established as the national drink of Bermuda.

The story of Gosling's rum goes back to 1806, when Englishman James Gosling landed in Bermuda with a boat full of rum instead of the U.S. because his charter expired. He set up a rum shop in St. George’s and today Gosling’s Black Rums are Bermuda number one export. Malcolm Gosling is a seventh generation rum maker.

I had the chance to sample three different varieties of Gosling's:

Gosling’s Black Seal: A rich brown color, this rum has a lingering pleasingly sweet aroma and a smooth flavor with hints of hazelnuts and plenty of wood.

Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum: Brown leather color, mellow sweet nose. There is pleasing oak throughout the flavor with a cocoa sweetness around the edges. This blend of rums that are at least 16 years old is a treat for sipping.

Gosling’s Gold: This 80 proof Bermuda rum’s color is true to its name. It has a toffee nose and a slightly earthy and oaky flavor profile behind a vanilla sweetness.

Tuesday Tasting: Appleton Rum

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we head to the islands for some special rum.

One of the best trips my wife and I have ever enjoyed was to Jamaica to visit an all inclusive resort called Ciboney in Ocho Rios. I was writing regularly for a hotel trade magazine at the time and used to get tons of great invitations to places that we would never be able to afford back then. My regular job kept me too busy to take most of the offers, but we were smart enough to say yes to the public relations people who contacted us with the invite to Jamaica. On top of having a great time, I did get a couple of articles out of the trip.

We loved our time on the island and the hotel did a great job hosting us. One of the lasting benefits of the trip was a new found affinity for rum, particularly the Appleton brand. Appleton is a Jamaican classic. Part of J. Wray & Nephew, which has been making rum since 1749, Appleton takes its name from the island's largest sugar cane plantation. I had a bottle of Appleton 12-year-old in my bar and recently received a bottle of Appleton Reserve, a rum released in the U.S. this Spring.

Appleton 12-Year-Old: Nice amber color and sweet nose. The rum is both mellow and has a slight edge that is actually inviting. Tons of flavors, including vanilla, toffee and a hint of oak. A great sipping rum.

Appleton Reserve: This amber spirit is a blend of 20 different rums from the Appleton rackhouse. There is more spice and oak to this rum and it lingers a bit longer on the center of your tongue. There is only a faint hint of sweetness to the nose and some hazelnut hues in the finish.

Havana Club Prepares to Boost Production

The health problems facing Fidel Castro have many wondering what might happen to relations between Cuba and the United States after his death. For one famous brand of rum, now appears to be the perfect moment to boost production.

Havana Club International SA, a joint venture between the government controlled CubaRon and French drinks firm Pernod Ricard, is investing in a major new distillery in San Jose, just outside of Havana, that will double its output of Havana Club. The company plans to be the number one dark rum producer in the world within six years.

The U.S. government began enforcing an embargo against Cuba in 1962 as part of the Cold War battle against Communism. Having access to the U.S. market denied has hurt a number of industries in Cuba and limited economic opportunities for its citizens.

Rum & Basketball: Bacardi Sponsors the Celtics

Bacardi Rum has signed a three year deal with the Boston Celtics to promote the Bacardi brand while emphasizing social responsibility. During the 2006-07 season, Bacardi and the Celtics will host post-game parties around Boston and the spirits maker will support Celtic charity events, appearances by Celtics legends and members of the Celtics Dance Team.

Promotional radio, print and broadcast messages supporting the partnership will urge legal-drinking aged consumers to drink responsibility.

The Boston Celtics have been a part of the National Basketball Association since its inception in 1946. They have won a record 16 NBA Championships.

Tuesday Tasting: A Dozen Fine Rums

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we're sipping some fine rum.

You don't have to be on a beach in the Caribbean to enjoy a fine sipping rum, but it doesn't hurt. Rum is an incredible spirit. It does marvelous things to virtually any type of fruit juice when mixed over ice. It can turn a bottle of Coke into a party. And, in finer forms, is perfect neat or over the rocks.

Man’s quest to brew, distill and otherwise ferment is an amazing study in persistence and making use of what God has provided from the regional harvest. In Northern climates, grains and grapes, along with various fruits and vegetables thrown in the mix, were found highly useful in creating a mind boggling array of beverages. Get closer to the Equator and plants like sugar cane, actually a tropical grass, and agave, an off shoot of the lily family, are used by industrious distillers to turn out potent potables. Regardless of the raw ingredient, in the right hands skill, patience and a laundry list of environmental factors can come together to make a drink that deserves to be savored.

Rum can be distilled from the fresh juice collected when cane is crushed or from molasses manufactured from sugar cane. In either case, the distilling process starts off with sucrose, which is different than nearly all other alcohol-making processes in which a starch is combined with enzymes and cooked to convert glucose to sucrose.

Rum is an amazingly flexible spirit that gives distillers a rich palette to use in creating flavor profiles. Aged rums should be thought of as cousins to fine Scotch or Cognac, not something to be consumed in frozen concoctions sporting tiny umbrellas -- not that there is anything wrong with that.

I recently had the chance to sit down with a few great rums and do some side-by-side tasting. I was amazed by the range of flavors in these fine rums. Any of these rums is worth the investment.

Appleton Estate Extra 12-Year-Old Rum ($30): This 86-proof Jamaican rum is a deep tarnished bronze color. It starts off with a pleasant butterscotch nose and has a long warm finish that lingers with hints of coffee.

Bardenay Small Batch Cane Sugar Rum ($20): This 80-proof rum from a small Idaho distiller is straw gold in color, with a clean nose. It warms the mouth and offers hints of butterscotch, walnuts and clover.

Dogfish Head Wit Spiced Rum ($34): This 80-proof rum from Delaware is tripled distilled. Its clear color hides the fact that it is loaded with citrus tones. Curacao orange peel comes through clearly with hints of coriander.

Oronoco Rum ($35): A smooth white rum from Brazil that starts off with a slightly cotton candy nose, hints of clover and vanilla, that finishes with touches of wood.

Prichards' Crystal Rum ($25): This 80-proof rum is distilled five times and offers a crisp, refreshing taste. The nose offers up an eggnog base and the flavor has a slightly sweet finish.

Prichards' Fine Rum ($38): This 80-proof Tennessee rum is amber color. The nose has a unique almost blueberry quality, while the flavor delivers rich and warm oak, spice and nut tones. This is a rum to linger over at the end of the evening.

Rhum Barbancourt Estate Reserve Oak Aged 15 Years ($36): This copper colored rum from Haiti has a smooth flavor profile with pleasing hints of cigar and leather, finishing with fresh wood.

Rogue Dark Rum ($28): This 80-proof rum from Oregon is double distilled and has a rich amber color. There is a slight hint of smoke in the early flavor profile, almonds and a pleasantly caramelized sugar finish.

Ron Anejo Aniversario Pampero ($30): This 80-proof rum from Venezuela is a dark amber color and serves up a rich vanilla nose that gives way to several layers of hazelnut, maple and oak flavors.

Ron Flor de Cana Grand Reserve 7-Year-Old Anejo ($26): An 80-proof rum from Nicaragua, it is the color of a new penny and has a slightly oak nose. It is smooth and mellow throughout with hints of citrus sweetness and bits of pepper mingled in its flavor profile.

Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva ($30): A blend of 15 year old rums, there are hints of almond in the nose of the amber-gold colored drink. Clear vanilla and oak tones come through in the profile.

Ron Zacapa Centenario ($40): An 80-proof rum from Guatemala blended from rums up to 23 years old, it is a deep amber Cognac color. A very smooth rum with hints of brown sugar, roasted almonds and refreshing vanilla tones. Truly one of the world’s great rums.