Gifted Rums of Barbados - Jan 15

[RobertBurr]

January 15: Gifted Rums of Barbados in Coral Gables

Back to the beginning... Barbados is said to be the first place that rum was distilled for export. George Washington, at his inauguration, had one simple request: two barrels of Barbados Rum for his guests.

The Gifted Rums of Barbados event will feature a selection of outstanding products, including:

Foursquare Spiced Rum
Doorly's XO
RL Seale 10 Year Old
Coyopa 10
Cockspur VSOR (12)
Mount Gay Extra Old
Mount Gay Sugar Cane Brandy
Plantation Rum Barbados 1995
Taylor's Velvet Falernum
Old Brigand
Tommy Bahama

In addition, we've arranged for a very special guest to join us, Mr. Richard Seale from the RL Seale company, one of the premiere distillers of Barbados.

[Rum Runner]

Looks like a great line-up Robert. It's one of the few times I find myself wishing I was "up there" as opposed to being "down here". I'm sure you'll have fun.

[martincate]

Velvet Falernum, eh? Does this mean it is returning to the US?

Please ask Mr. Seale if he has any more information about the status of Velvet Falernum.

Thanks!!

[Edward Hamilton]

I'm sorry that I won't be able to be in Miami until the next day. Timing is everything. I have a lot of questions for Richard, we only had a few minutes together in London.

[Edward Hamilton]

Where is this going to take place? And what are the times?

[Capn Jimbo]

Nice speaking with you today Robert - my posse will be there, tongues in tow. Inasmuch as I really love my Mount Gay XO, it will be interesting to compare with the others. Just another advantage of living in our Paradise of South Florida...

[Paulipbartender]

Just another advantage of living in our Paradise of South Florida...

No need to rub it in Jimbo!

[RobertBurr]

The Gifted Rums of Barbados was a wonderful event with more than 50 people in attendance.

Richard Seale gave an informative presentation on the integrity of his methodology of making fine rums. He began by presenting a mystery rum with a rich mahogany color that quite impressed the tasters. He asked the crowd: molasses or sugar cane juice stock? Many people guessed sugar cane juice. He declared it was molasses. He asked column still or pot still? Many were sure it was a pot still. It was not. Then he asked about age. The guesses ranged from two years to 12 years. He declared it was unaged rum. The point being that a modern distiller can made a product that will fool most of the people most of the time.

The tasting continued with Tommy Bahama white and gold; some preferred the white. Doorly's 5 was a crowd pleaser with just the right amount of oak and smoke, smooth and well balanced. Doorly's XO had a much richer profile and benefited from greater aging and more sophisticated blending. The Seale 10 was a big hit as well. The Foursquare spiced rum was well received, many people not realizing it was now available in South Florida.

We went on to taste Cockspur Fine Rum and Cockspur 12, both left a good impression on the tasters. Mount Gay Extra Old was the favorite of many in attendance. Mount Gay Eclipse is a standard in the industry and Sugar Cane Brandy offered a sweet, buttery experience. Plantation 1993 offered a tropical bouquet. Finally the Crisma Rum Creme was like a fine dessert.

Everyone had a great time, learned a lot about these fine products and shared their perceptions with friends.

Our own Captain Jimbo from this forum was there with his friends. Ed Hamilton came to town, but got tied up with associates at Flor de Cana and could not attend the tasting.