Daggers in Washington in Captain Morgan rum battle (AFP via Yahoo! News)

In a tale of pirates, rum and economic warfare, the US Virgin Islands have lured Captain Morgan maker Diageo from Puerto Rico, leading to a daggers-drawn political battle in Washington.

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Starving woman has taste of rum (Stuff)

Twelve days after beginning a hunger strike, Margaret Page has had a tiny amount of rum and wine but is still determined to die.

For the complete story, click HERE.

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Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Williams alumni working to bring their rum to area (North Adams Transcript)

Thursday March 25, 2010 North Adams Transcript WILLIAMSTOWN -- Two Williams College alumni are bringing their recipe for award-winning rum from the mountains of Colorado back to their alma mater this spring. Karen and Brice Hoskin, who graduated from Williams in 1990, are expanding the distribution of rum made by their company, Montanya Distillers, to North County.

For the complete story, click HERE.

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Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Bihar Bacchus' lovers prefer rum (The Times of India)

When parts of Bihar witnessed a riot for rum in January this year, many thought it was because of the prolonged cold wave conditions that the demand went up while the supply remained static. But even otherwise, rum is Bihari boozers' fave drink.

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Haitian rummaker rebuilds business after quake (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)

At Haiti's famous Barbancourt rum factory, patches of grass and shrubs around the warehouses are burnt black from where the ageing golden liquor spilt from oak casks split by the January 12 earthquake.

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Haitian rum maker rebuilds business after quake (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

At Haiti's famous Barbancourt rum factory, patches of grass and shrubs around the warehouses are burned black from where the aging golden liquor spilled from oak casks split by the January 12 earthquake.

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

5th Annual Polished Palate International Rum Competition Results

TAMPA, Fla. (March 22, 2010) – The results are in. The competition, held on March 18-19 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor City, was hosted by Jack Robertiello/Drinks Ink, along with judges Arturo Sighinolfi/SWS, Luis Ayala/Rum Shop, Stephen Beaumont/World of Beer, Harriet Lembeck/Wine & Spirits Educator, Ben Montgomery/St. Petersburg Times and Anthony Nasso/Republic National Distributing Company. Judges evaluated 42 rums based-upon five criteria: appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel & finish.

Judges sampled the spirits before selecting possible Best of Show, Best of Category, Gold, Silver and Bronze level award winners. A Best of Show is not always awarded. For a brand to receive this acknowledgement, each judge has to rate the spirit with a score of 90+. 21 years in the making, Master Distiller Francisco ‘Pancho’ Fernandez has done it again; he’s created a masterpiece. Zafra Master Reserve 21 Rum from Panama, which received the 2010 Best of Show award.

This year’s competition featured 7 categories including White Rum, Gold Rum, Dark Rum, Rum Aged up to 8 Years, Rum Aged 9-15 Years, Rum Aged 15+ Years and Flavored Rum. Of special note, one particular rum has entered the competition all five years, Khukri Rum from Nepal, and earned their 5th consecutive Gold Medal as well as their 2nd Best of Category Award.

The winners are (bold denotes Best of Category. Not all categories received a Best of Category award in 2010):

White Rum
Gold:

• Don Q Cristal/Puerto Rico
• Diplomatico Blanco/Dominican Republic

Silver:

• Siesta Key Rum/Florida
• Ron Barcelo Gran Platinum/Dominican Republic

Bronze:

• Carta Viejo Claro/Panama
• Koloa White Hawaiian Rum/Hawaii

Gold Rum
Silver:

• Bacardi Gold/Puerto Rico
• Koloa Gold Hawaiian Rum/Hawaii

Bronze:

• Don Q Gold/Puerto Rico
• Old Lahaina Premium Gold Hawaiian Rum/Hawaii

Dark Rum
Gold:

• Khukri Rum (Nepal)
• One Barrel Rum/Belize

Silver:

• Koloa Dark Hawaiian Rum/Hawaii
• Carta Vieja Anejo/Panama

Bronze:

• Old Lahaina Premium Dark Rum/Hawaii

Rum Aged Up To 8 Years
Gold:

• Ron Abuelo 7 Anos/Panama
• Bacardi 8/Puerto Rico
• Ron Abuelo Anejo/Panama
• Ron Medellin 8 Year Old/Colombia

Silver:

• Ron Barcelo Imperial/Dominican Republic
• Plantation Barbados 5 Year Grande Reserve/Barbados
• Ron Medellin 3 Year Old/Colombia
• Ron Viejo de Caldas 3 Year Old/Colombia
• Ron Viejo de Caldas Grand Reserve/Colombia

Bronze:

• Don Q Anejo/Puerto Rico
• Ron Carupano Oro Reserva Especial/Venezuela

Rum Aged 9-15 Years
Gold:

• Ron Abuelo 12 Anos/Panama
• Don Q Grand Anejo/Puerto Rico
• Ron Carupano Solera Centenaria Reserva Limitada/Venezuela

Silver:

• Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva/Venezuela
• Plantation 20th Anniversary/Barbados
• Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Cuban Style Rum/Dominican Republic

Rum Aged 15+ Years
Gold:

• Zafra Master Reserve 21 Rum/Panama BEST IN SHOW
• Ron Anejo Carupano Legendario/Venezuela

Silver:

• Bacardi Reserva Limitada/Puerto Rico
• Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial/Peru

Flavored Rum
Silver:

• Don Q Coco/Puerto Rico
• Don Q Limon/Puerto Rico

Bronze:

• Aguardiente Antioqueno Sin Azucar/Colombia

To learn more about The Polished Palate, please visit their website.

Tax breaks for Captain Morgan ignite rum war in Caribbean (Orlando Sentinel)

Captain Morgan's move from Puerto Rico to Virgin Islands has sparked feud between U.S. territories Captain Morgan is packing his bags and moving to the U.S. Virgin Islands — a relocation that is making waves from Puerto Rico to Washington and riling some Central Florida politicians.

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Ultimate Spirits Challenge Releases Rum Rankings

The UBC has released the final standings in many spirits categories, including rum. After meticulously examining each entry under ideal conditions, the judges agreed on the following two rums as being the leaders in their industry:

* Extraordinary/
Ultimate Recommendation, 97 Points: Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection Rum (Barbados); 43% abv, $100

* Extraordinary/
Ultimate Recommendation, 95 Points: Zafra Master Reserve 21 Year Old Rum (Panama); 40% abv, $40

Click HERE for the complete list.

Judging, according to the UBC website, is conducted as follows:

"Ultimate Beverage Challenge competitions use a progressive method, designed for UBC by beverage alcohol critic F. Paul Pacult, that includes a numerical evaluation on a tasting grid, controlled-environment assessment, sample product enhancement, and exacting, up-to-the-minute tabulation arrived at through multi-stage blind judgings.
The Ultimate Beverage Challenge methodology reviews each product under ideal conditions over a period that allows the product ample time and opportunity to show its best characteristics and tendencies, or not. Multiple judges evaluate every entry in stages, building to a Finals Round per classification and category. In the final standings, the best products are by result of their aggregate scores and the judges’ consensus, eligible for maximum citation by the judges. Blind judging, which eliminates any chance of favoritism, is held over the course of a single period of several days to allow total focus for the judges."

The 5th Annual Polished Palate International Rum Competition

The 5th Annual Polished Palate International Rum Competition takes place this week in Tampa’s Ybor City at the Hilton Garden Inn. Hosted by Jack Robertiello/Drinks Ink, judges Arturo Sighinolfi/SWS, Luis Ayala/Rum Shop, Stephen Beaumont/World of Beer, Ian Williams/Author & Rum Pundit, Harriet Lembeck/Wine & Spirits Educator, Ben Montgomery/St. Petersburg Times and Anthony Nasso/Republic National Distributing Company will be evaluating dozens of rums based-upon five criteria: appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel & finish. While all criteria are important in establishing a rum’s signature profile, aroma and flavor rank highest in scoring, and, of course, mean the most to rum lovers.

Results of the 2010 competition will be posted next week.

Free spirit: A trip to Guyana inspired Mark Hix's sensational rum-based menu (Independent)

This week I'm writing about a recent break that I took to a wonderful rum distillery in Guyana. What with my tequila mission to Mexico last year, as well as quite a few wine trips abroad, it's true that many of my excursions are based around alcohol, but I justify them by telling myself that having a full understanding of all the types of alcohol in the world is an integral part of my job – at ...

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Launches "Exceptional Spirit" Digital Experience

KINGSTON, JAMAICA (10/3/2010) -- Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum has launched a new global on-line campaign with the introduction of their new website – appletonestate.com.

Drawing together an exciting range of digital and on-line tools, Peter Hottmann, Global Consumer Marketing Manager for Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, says that the site “brings the essence of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum to life on the screen in an exciting, innovative, interactive and responsible manner.”

Developed around the theme, “The Exceptional Spirit”, the new website brings together the maker’s world and Appleton Estate’s rich heritage with the drinker’s world and people who themselves have an exceptional amount of spirit. It features four main sections: ‘The Spirits’, ‘the Place’; ‘The Experience’ and “The Community.

‘The Spirits’ section speaks to the unique qualities of each of the brands in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range and includes information and tasting notes on each of the expressions. “The Place” focuses on the over 260 year history and heritage of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, the brand’s unique manufacturing process and what Hottmann refers to as the Brand’s Seven Elements of Distinction. “The Seven Elements of Distinction is what sets Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum apart from other rums and includes the “Terroir” of the region, the copper pot stills which are integral to our manufacturing process and are unique to the Appleton Estate, and the brand’s legacy of blending exceptional rums.”

“The Experience” features an Exceptional Bars section where visitors to the website can locate bars around the world where people get together to share their spirit and a great Appleton Estate cocktail. This section also features recipes for some of the more popular and iconic Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum signature cocktails as well as video demonstrations on how to make these cocktails. The cocktails section also features Quick Response bar code technology which allows visitors to download recipes directly onto their smart phones. Both the “Exceptional Bars” and “Cocktail” sections will be updated and expanded on a regular basis.

According to Peter Hottmann he is particularly excited about ‘The Community’ section of the website. “Our ‘Community’ page allows our consumers and brand ambassadors to interact with the brand through various social media. Visitors to the website can submit their own exceptional cocktail recipes and recommend Exceptional Bars and Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Events to be featured on ‘The Experience’ page. ‘The Community’ page also has a link to the Appleton Estate Facebook fan page and twitter feed as well as other Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum social media pages and links.”

The website new press page has an archive of press releases on the brand and also allows journalists to submit questions and requests for information directly to the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Communications Team.

The website was developed by Canadian advertising agency HQVB in collaboration with Appleton Estate’s global consumer marketing team and representatives from Appleton Estate’s major markets around the world.

Puerto Rican rum fight spills over to NY Parade (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

Organizers of the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade, one of the largest U.S. outdoor events, said they are ending a 30-year relationship with the makers of Captain Morgan Rum citing Diageo PLC's plans to move distillation of the drink from Puerto Rico.

For the complete story, click HERE.

For additional rum news, check out our Rum News Server, which is updated several times a day.

Please visit us at The Rum Shop for all your rum-related needs, including purchasing rum on-line, rum recipes, rum tasting notes, rum event information and rum consulting services.

Governor deJongh responds to Senator LeMieux's amendment to alter the rum excise tax cover-over program

March 4, 2010

LeMieux Proposal Transfers U.S. Virgin Islands’ Revenue to Puerto Rico Government

Statement from John P. deJongh, Jr., Governor, United States Virgin Islands

Senator LeMieux of Florida today ignored almost 100 years of federal precedent and clear Congressional intent by filing an amendment that drastically alters the rum excise tax cover-over program. His amendment would severely harm the economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands and overtly favors Puerto Rico.

Senator LeMieux’s amendment looks like it was developed alongside Puerto Rican lobbyists. The proposed amendment takes excise tax revenue paid by U.S. Virgin Islands rum makers on rum produced in the U.S. Virgin Islands and directly transfers it to Puerto Rico’s government coffers. Puerto Rico would end up with billions of dollars generated by rum production in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As we search for solutions to the economic downturn, America needs smart, thoughtful leadership – not desperate attempts to pander to powerful special interests. Senator LeMieux is directly attacking his fellow Americans in the U.S. Virgin Islands by doing Puerto Rico’s bidding.

We are strengthening the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy and stabilizing our government’s finances. The rum cover-over is a long-standing and successful economic development program that has provided benefits to the U.S. territories.

Furthermore, the rum cover-over program is of great economic and financial importance to the U.S. Virgin Islands. For the first time, we are making full use of these tools given to us, and we have done so without hurting any other location. I cannot understand why Puerto Rico and certain other interests are determined to hold back and undermine the economic interests and future of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Senator LeMieux’s plan could cause us to default on hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds, which would stop progress on infrastructure projects and environmental improvements, and would force the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the brink of receivership.

By promoting this amendment, Puerto Rico has not only given up any pretense of negotiating their concerns with the U.S. Virgin Islands as we have been asked to do by Congressional leaders, but Puerto Rico now also seems willing to walk away from the long history of friendship and collaboration which has linked America's two Caribbean possessions.

Contact: Michael Hartt - 202.326.1707, Jean Greaux - 340.774.0294