I’ll give it a more thorough read when I have time and send you my comments!

Cheers!

It’s amazing that I started research on a similar vein just a few week ago. I’d value your imput. http://www.liquorature.com/?page_id=701

RvD

I’m very much a conservative thinker when it comes to economics, so I totally agree that tight rules do erode creativity and I do not want that when it comes to my favorite spirit. So in that thinking, perhaps I’ve been a bit harsh in my words… Or perhaps it’s my lack of vocabulary when it comes to expressing myself. I like the word ‘bothered’ that you used. I’m mildly bothered in not knowing what I have my hands on when drinking rum. Don’t get wrong I still do enjoy some mighty fine rum offerings that I’m positive have been ‘added’ to. I’d just like to know for certain. I think company’s, in principle and on their own, should disclose what they’re offering their customers. They could simply use fancied sentences such as, ”XXXX rum, a blend made with rum aged no less then XX years and flavour enhanced with its own proprietary blend of natural flavours insuring the best sipping rum in the market.” Like this no disclosure of the ‘famous recipe’.

Cheers!

I noticed your posting on the MOR and too found the coincidence interesting. I will say that I am not nearly as ‘bothered’ by additives as are most. Perhaps this is because I like Canadian Whisky so much and our whisky allows the blender the freedom to experiment to a degree that no other whisky in the world does. My thought is that if the rum producers have the freedom to create, then over time great things will happen.

I also question the thought of “pure” rums. Based upon my reading of the history of rum, additives have been there from the start as an integral part of the process. British navy rum had lime juice added almost from the start, molasses and sugar has been added in most rum blends from the start.

So my interpretation of the rules that additives are allowed really doesn’t bother me. I appreciate that an effort is made in the regulation to limit the additives to ‘natural’ substances, and I feel this part of the regulation could be tightened up. But I do not want to see a situation develop where the rules become so stringent that the regulation stifles the creativity.

It is an interesting question as to whether the additives should be disclosed. Should Colonel Sanders be forced to reveal his seven secret spices? I see a hidden danger lurking there as well.

What I can find a little frustrating is when tasting a more expensive rum that has some obvious tampering with. Now, it may still taste great, but in some examples it’s quite evident that they put something in the bottle.

Mind you I did post this before reading your full interpretation of the US regulations. I’m just trying to post my concerns as I did on the Ministry of Rum just before you posted this article. Funny coincidence!