Talk to Joy Spence on Facebook

I thought I would give everybody a quick heads up that Appleton Estate, Master Blender, Joy Spence will be participating in a live chat on Facebook this Friday (November 11) from 4:00 to 5:00 PM EST, Appleton on Facebook (this is the link to the live chat). I believe this is the first ever live Facebook Chat for Appleton Estate Rum.

You can post your questions in advance on Appleton’s Facebook Page, and slip over later to see if they were answered, or you can participate in the Live Chat from 4 to 5 (EST) tomorrow.

Cheers Everyone!

Put the Rum Howler on the Cover!

In 6 to 8 weeks (January 5th is what I have been told) a new internet magazine is going to launch called ‘flave‘. It’s kind of a “user manual for being a guy” magazine. Or maybe it’s more of a “the best way to waste your time” kind of magazine. I think they are still kind of figuring that out. Now normally, I do not go out of my way to promote magazine launches, but in this case (because I have been asked to be a contributing writer) it’s in my self-interest to do a little promoting. We are still working out the details, as I have insisted that I will not contribute if my independence is compromised. I will write what I want, when I want, without regard for who their sponsors may be.

Of course, the magazine has no idea that I plan to begin an immediate campaign to put myself on the cover of the first issue. (They want a nice picture of a sexy Helen Anahita instead.)  So to make my case I have arranged to have a  ‘mocked up’ first ever flave magazine cover made (pictured to the right) with yours truly on the cover.

If you are with me on this, then send in your subscription request with a demand to put me on the cover. (I guess if you want the sexy Helen Anahita instead you can just send in the normal subscription request.)

The Magazine will be free to all who sign up at flave.ca.

If you want the Rum Howler on the cover, just send them an email (promo@flave.ca) with the subject line:

Put the Rum Howler on the Cover!

Cheers Everyone!

Review: 1 Barrel Rum

1 Barrel Rum is a product of Belize, the northernmost mainland country of Central America. A former British Colony, Belize lies just south of Mexico with the Caribbean Sea to the east and Guatemala to the west and south. Travellers Liquors Limited has been involved in the production of 1 Barrel Rum in Belize since the early 1960s originally working with independent distillers. In 1989 Tavellers acquired full control of their own distillery and has remained in full control of the brand ever since.

I was given a bottle of 1 Barrel Rum by Blake Christensson of  Travellers Liquor Canada for the purpose of this review.

Here is an excerpt from that review:

“…That laid back quality I sensed on the nose continues into the mouth with a rum which has a few rough spots but has a flavour which is easy to enjoy. Caramel and toffee lead out with a light spiciness that heats up the mouth just a little. I taste a light almond flavour, some orange peel spiciness, hints of coconut, and hidden away underneath is a light fruity quality that is reminiscent of canned apricots…”

Here is a link to the full review:

As well I constructed a nice tall cocktail which I have named, Baron Bliss.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail!

Review: Shiver Vodka

I contacted Gregg Kerr of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Commission (NLC) a few months ago informing him of my plans to begin a series of vodka reviews on my website, and how I was hoping to include at least a few Canadian spirits. Greg was kind enough to forward me a bottle of their new Vodka.

Shiver Vodka is a new product of the of the NLC.  Made in Newfoundland and Labrador from Ontario grown corn, Shiver Vodka is four times distilled and triple filtered for clarity and purity.  It is what the NLC calls an economy priced Premium Vodka, meant to be light on the pocketbook, but also meant to compete well in the Premium Vodka Spirit category.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…We all felt the Vodka was very clean on the nose with just a few hints of citrus and grain apparent, however once the Shiver Vodka was sipped that citrus spiciness grew in strength considerably. The sensation warmed our mouths more than a little bit…”

You may read the full review here:

I have included I a nice cocktail adapted from the Shiver Vodka Website, the Arctic Sun.

Please enjoy the review and the cocktail!

Top Ten Rums (you should avoid)!

My writings on this website are primarily to help my readers chose better spirits when making that purchase decision. To that end I thought I should publish my first warning list. These are the purchase decisions you want to avoid. Those sugar-cane based spirits which will help to empty your wallet, but will leave little in the way of reward. I expect this list to be somewhat controversial, and if I slight one of your favourites please chime in with a comment to defend your rum of choice. But, having said that, I must confess, that these are anything but my rums of choice. These are my regrets, and I publish this list in hopes that I can help you avoid a regret or two.

And so without further adieu, here are…the top ten Rums you should avoid.

And for more fun here is a link to the Video that inspired this posting:

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Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum Update

My Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum Review has aroused the curiosity of almost everyone who visits my website, and that’s why it has become my most ‘clicked on’ review of all time. I thought I should provide an update for my readers because the Big Black Dick Rum website referred to in my review shut down barely two weeks after my original review. (We hope my review was not responsible.)

However, I can now let everyone know, after much hard work on my part, that I have found the new website for Big Black Dick Rum.  The Rum is now featured on the Blackbeard’s Trading Co. Ltd. website. The new website is not quite as ‘colourful’ as the old website, but it still advertises that “stiff, yet tasty” flavour of the Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum!

And for those few who never read my original review of this Dark Caribbean Rum, here is an excerpt:

“….I would have expected this rum to have more thrust and energy in the delivery, but instead it is rather limp and subdued as if waiting for you to arouse its charm. What is found instead of charm is a molasses and dark caramel laden rum. Prunes, raisins, and dates rest with a leathery tobacco deeper down adding a bitterness that sits beside the sweeter molasses. …”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Big Black Dick Dark Caribbean Rum

Rum Renaissance 2011 Opens With The ‘Zombie Jamboree’

The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival 2011 kicks off with the Zombie Jamboree at the Mai Kai Polynesian Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale on Monday, April 25 from 5 to 7pm . This event will be hosted by author, and celebrated Tiki Cocktail authority, Jeff  “Beachbum” Berry. (Mr. Berry’s published books include Beachbum Berry Remixed, Sippin’ Safari, Grog Log, Intoxica and Taboo Table.)

‘Beachbum’ Berry  will host a discussion on the origin (and the evolution) of the Zombie cocktail. His seminar will feature samples of Don the Beachcomber’s classic 1934 and 1956 Zombie recipes. The fun will continue as several other noted mixologists will present their own variations of the Zombie Cocktail to serve as examples of how this wonderful cocktail continues to evolve.  (Please click on the Zombie Jamboree banner at the top of this posting for more information, and to learn how to RSVP your reservation for this great opening event.)

And that is just the first evening of the festival. From there, the events include nine VIP Parties, a three-day RumXP International Tasting Competition, various ancillary competitive events including The International Tiki Face Off Competition and the Baritt’s Ginger Beer Cocktail Competition. Finally, it all wraps up with 2 days at the Grand Tasting Finale where there will be seminars, cocktail competitions, and a Island Lifestyle Showcase.

Last year I was invited to act as one of the International Judges at the 2010 RumXP International Tasting Competition which was held in conjunction with Rum Renaissance 2010. I spent five days soaking up the atmosphere of the festival, and of the city. I must have done a decent job as a Rum Judge as this year I have been invited back to reprise my role as the an International Judge once again. This year I want to extend a bit of an invitation to those who read and follow my blog to come to Miami this year to join in the festivities of the Largest Rum Festival in the World. The festival promises to be even better than last year. It has grown from three fun filled days in 2009; to five days last year in 2010; to a full seven days of fun and frolic in 2011.

Let me quote Robert Burr, the organizer and prime motivating force behind the Festival:

“Rum is experiencing a Renaissance of appreciation as more savvy consumers discover a truly remarkable range of fine rums from the Caribbean region, North, Central and South America, and around the world.

The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is one of the world’s premier international rum events, presenting a unique and exciting celebration of the fine arts of distillation, maturing and blending fine cane spirits.

Enjoy a full week of exclusive VIP parties at Miami’s most notable venues, a grand two-day exhibition of the best rum brands, the excitement of the Island Lifestyle Showcase, celebrity seminars, workshops and cocktail competitions, the annual RumXP competition and awards, an opportunity to rub shoulders with dignitaries and notable experts, and more.”

You can purchase tickets for either day (or both) of the Grand Tasting Finale, or you can enjoy the full experience and obtain a VIP Pass and join in the fun of all of the VIP events all week-long. And of course everyone who attends can enjoy beautiful Miami Beach.

Rhum Clement Visits Calagary

Rhum Clement Profile

I met Benjamin Melin-Jones last year at Rum Renaissance when I was enjoying myself at the Rhum Clement sponsored VIP Party which was, of course, one of the major features at the Rum Renaissance Festival. For those who do not know Benjamin Jones is the person primarily responsible for relaunching the Rhum Clement Brand in the USA (and Canada).

Rhum Clement is the leading producer of A.O.C Martinique Rhum Agricole. Rhum Agricole is produced from sugar cane juice rather than molasses, and Rhum Clement is an agricole rhum which is further refined being produced solely from within a specific terroir of Martinique, hence receiving the A.O.C. certification.

Why I am bringing all of this to your attention?  The reason is that Benjamin Melin-Jones will be arriving in Calgary, Alberta to show off his Rhum Portfolio for two days. The first tasting will be at Willow Park Liquor Store on Wednesday March 16 at 7:00 PM. The Second will be at the Crowfoot Liquor Store on Thursday March 17, at 7:00 PM.

This will be a unique opportunity to not only sample a world-renowned spirits brand, but also a chance to speak directly to Benjamin Jones who just happens to be a direct descendant of Homere Clement, physician and mayor of Le Francios,  but more importantly to us, the man responsible for pioneering and producing Rhum Agricole on the French Island of Martinique over one hundred years ago.

I hope a few of my readers can take advantage of this opportunity.

Rum Renaissance – 2011

Last year I was invited to act as one of the International Judges at the 2010 RumXP International Tasting Competition which was held in conjunction with Rum Renaissance 2010. I spent five days soaking up the atmosphere of the festival, and of the city. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and this year I want to extend a bit of an invitation to those who read and follow my blog to come to Miami this year to join in the festivities of the largest Rum Festival in the World.

This year the festival promises to be even better than last. It has grown from three days in 2009; to five days last year in 2010; to a full seven days of fun and frolic in 2011. The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival 2011 begins with the Zombie Jamboree at the Mai Kai Polynesian Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale on Monday, April 25 from 5 to 7pm. From there, the events include nine VIP Parties, a three-day RumXP International Tasting Competition, various ancillary competitive events including The International Tiki Face Off Competition and the Baritt’s Ginger Beer Cocktail Competition. And it all wraps up with 2 days at the Grand Tasting Finale where there will be seminars, the cocktail competitions, and a Island Lifestyle Showcase.

This is what the Robert Burr, the organizer and prime motivating force behind the Festival, has to say…

Rum is experiencing a Renaissance of appreciation as more savvy consumers discover a truly remarkable range of fine rums from the Caribbean region, North, Central and South America, and around the world.

The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is one of the world’s premier international rum events, presenting a unique and exciting celebration of the fine arts of distillation, maturing and blending fine cane spirits.

Enjoy a full week of exclusive VIP parties at Miami’s most notable venues, a grand two-day exhibition of the best rum brands, the excitement of the Island Lifestyle Showcase, celebrity seminars, workshops and cocktail competitions, the annual RumXP competition and awards, an opportunity to rub shoulders with dignitaries and notable experts, and more.

Like I said earlier, I am kind of extending an invitation for everyone to come and join me in Miami.  You can purchase tickets for either day (or both) of the Grand Tasting Finale, or you can enjoy the full experience and obtain a VIP Pass and join in the fun of all of the VIP events all week-long. And of course everyone who attends can enjoy beautiful Miami Beach.

John Hall and Whisky: A Good Meritage

Last month, Wednesday, January 19 to be exact, I was invited to attend a private luncheon at Bistro la Persaud, in Edmonton with John Hall, the founder of Forty Creek Whisky. It was a small gathering with only a few of us ‘media’ folk invited. The purpose of the luncheon was to allow the invitees to have an informal question and answer with Mr. Hall taking advantage of his attendance at the 2nd Annual Edmonton Whisky Festival and the launch of his new whisky Forty Creek Confederation Oak.

I kind of sat back and let the others (who are more experienced at this sort of thing) do the questioning and interjected only a few queries here and there. It seemed better just to listen than to speak…

You may read the complete story on John Hall and his unique Canadian Whisky by clicking the following link:

In case you are interested, I have reviewed a few of the Whiskies from Forty Creek and have provided links to these reviews below:

Review Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky

Review: Forty Creek Portwood Reserve