Boston

[Scottes]

Rumba, the "rum bar" at the Intercontinental Hotel, is reputed to have over 70 kinds of rum.

I have yet to make it down there, but I certainly will one of these days. At the very least I'm curious as to what they actually have.

[Edward Hamilton]

That sounds very interesting since Massachusetts is a very difficult place to sell spirits due to the distributor situation. I know several liquor store owners who are very frustrated because they can't buy spirits which are sold in neighboring states.

[PirateNord]

Interestingly enough, I was just there last week, with no idea they had a rum bar. And I can attest that they DO have a very very impressive selection. The shelving above the bar facing outward is filled with different labels from the mundane to the eye-popping. In the very front, they had 4 of the collectors boxes for Mount Gay Tricentennial Selection. When I asked if they actually carried it, he produced the bottle, nearly empty. He allowed me to smell it and look at it, then poured me just a taste worth.

It goes for $50 US a shot.

It is a beautiful bar, but a bit overpriced (of course, it IS a hotel bar).

[Scottes]

I finally got a chance to visit RumBa the other day. In quick summary, the rum list is excellent even though it had only a few that I would consider rare. Notable rums included Pyrat 1623 ($40), Mount Gay Tricentennial ($75), Clйment Cuvee Homere ($20), Clйment XO ($28) and British Royal Navy Imperial ($120). More "typical" rums included Pyrat XO, Ron Zacapa (15 & 23), Zaya, Mount Gay Extra Old, Ron Pampero, Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva, Appleton 21, many Plantations, and several others of the very good and excellent rums. All in all a very good selection, and I thought the prices were pretty decent really, between 200% and maybe 300% markup considering the healthy 2 ounce pours that I received.

The place wasn't perfect - I watched one young bartender muddling the bejeezus out of a Mojito, and I wish they knew more about the rums. But it's a nice place, which is expected for a hotel bar in an upscale hotel, the rum list is excellent.


I posted a full review on my blog (http://scottesrum.com/2007/07/13/rumba-boston-ma/).

[martybmccabe]

Scottes,

Don't know if you're from Boston or not, but if you aren't, let me suggest going to a place like, Eastern Standard, Green St., B-Side, or #9 Park, all places with very good to excellent rum selections, and the requisite knowledge to go along with the rum, along with cocktails, in general.

All the best,

Marty

[angelsword]

I'm planning to visit Boston come September. I'll definately pass by. Maybe we could do a Boston rum appreciation meet-up.

[Scottes]

Absolutely! And we should manage some interesting conversations - I used to make knives many years ago. Mostly from blanks, but a couple got ground from bar stock.

[Rumpelteazer]

I will be in Boston this weekend, hope to check out Rumba and some of the other places mentioned above. TR to follow.

[Rumpelteazer]

Thanks to multiple weather-related flight cancellations, I didn't have as much time in Boston as I had hoped. So my visit to Rumba was a bit brief.

My impressions were generally consistent with Scotte's review. Given that the location is a lobby bar in a high end city hotel, they did a pretty good job creating a pleasant rum-themed decor. It's not a tiki bar, or a fun neighborhood hangout. Its a place for business travelers and tourists to kill a bit of time.

The rum range is impressive, about 80 that you would actually consider drinking neat. And the Bacardis and flavored stuff is kept mostly out of view.

My only surprise was realizing after a few minutes, that of the 25 or so patrons on a late Saturday afternoon, I was the only one drinking rum! The bartender seemed to appreciate this too, as he came back to check on me much more frequently than the other customers, asking what I thought of certain rums on their menu, and offering me a few tastes on the side. Curiously, one of those offered was the same Diplomatico that Scottes was offered. Either that was in Chapter 1 of their bartender training manual, or there is some sort of promotion going on.

Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, and an opportunity to try some things you might not have had before.

[Rumpelteazer]

Don't know if you're from Boston or not, but if you aren't, let me suggest going to a place like, Eastern Standard, Green St., B-Side, or #9 Park, all places with very good to excellent rum selections, and the requisite knowledge to go along with the rum, along with cocktails, in general.

I had hoped to visit all of these places, but the airlines had other plans.

From my hotel in Kendall Sq., the Green St. Grill was a brisk 20 minute walk away. This was a typical American grill type of restaurant with a substantial portion of the space given over to a bar kind of halfway between what college students and yuppies would be attracted to. As a result, I saw very few of either there. Their rum list contained 10 or so items above the usual, such as Pyrat XO, 10Cane, and Zacapa 23. Also the slightly more uncommon St. James hors d'age and Brugal anejo. My bartender was a you-see-it-you-order-it kind of guy, though. OK, but most cities have at least a dozen places just like this.

Also within walking distance was the B-Side Lounge. My friends tell me this used to be quite the trendy place, with it's retro chic atmosphere and eclectic menu. Now it seems more touristy and tired than trendy. Apparently, nearly every local has at least one service horrow show story from here. I don't, but I've only been there once now. I did not see that there was any particular attention given to high-end rums here, either.

#9 Park is a very trendy, sophisticated restaurant in downtown Boston, that I unfortunately did not have time to go into this trip (I had been here once before, but wasn't focused on my rum experience at that time). I would expect their bartenders would be well trained and knowledgeable.

I also did not get to Eastern Standard in Kenmore Sq., but my friends indicate it is a very good place to go to. Of interest to former Boston denizens, this is the location of the infamous Rat (Rathskellar), but ES couldn't be any more different.

[Rumpelteazer]

Also while in Boston, I had the pleasure of discovering a little hole-in-the-wall liquor store with an eclectic fine rum selection. Federal Wine at 29 State St.

Now added to my collection are Matusalem GR and Rhum JM gold (ESB).

Still an their shelf due to my limited luggage space are Clement Creole Shrubb, Diplomatico, and the Rhum JM dark, just to name a few.

This rum-starved Pennsylvanian wished he had brought an extra suitcase!

[krustykrab]

Also while in Boston, I had the pleasure of discovering a little hole-in-the-wall liquor store with an eclectic fine rum selection. Federal Wine at 29 State St.

Now added to my collection are Matusalem GR and Rhum JM gold (ESB).

Still an their shelf due to my limited luggage space are Clement Creole Shrubb, Diplomatico, and the Rhum JM dark, just to name a few.

This rum-starved Pennsylvanian wished he had brought an extra suitcase!

Just got back from a trip to Federal Wine and Spirits - great place! Lots of quality hard to find rums! Thanks for the tip, Rumpelteazer!

Joe, the manager was a great guy as well - enjoyed talking to him. He is trying to organize some rum tastings in the near future.

[mayan]

On Boston liquor stores...other than Federal Wines? The usual suspects, I suppose, Blanchards and Marty's but any other gems out there?

[Scottes]

Liquor Land is a worthwhile stop.

In Brookline, there's a Marty's, Blanchard's, and Brookline Liquor Mart all with a few blocks of each other, all worthwhile.

[mayan]

Thanks!! Liquor Land? Never heard of it...sounds like Disney World for those who like their spirits.

Will check out the Liquor Mart. I'm in the "exuberant acquisition" phase.

[martybmccabe]

Liquor Land actually just moved down Massachusetts Ave., near Newmarket Square. Totally worth a stop; one of the biggest (and relatedly, best) selections. Ask for Emmett if you need help; he's a little crazy, but a great guy

[Chili Palmer]

Scottes,

Don't know if you're from Boston or not, but if you aren't, let me suggest going to a place like, Eastern Standard, Green St., B-Side, or #9 Park, all places with very good to excellent rum selections, and the requisite knowledge to go along with the rum, along with cocktails, in general.

All the best,

Marty

Just a heads up but I was talking to a buddy who lives in Somerville and he said the B-Side is no longer there.

[Scottes]

For you Boston folks, an upcoming event (Apr 4) at Eastern Standard might be interesting:

http://drinkboston.com/2009/03/07/save-the-date-for-tiki-mania/