Best destinations for a rum holiday?

[bunnyhugs]

I am going to be going to Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans in July. I was thinking that since New Orleans is practically in the Caribbean (kind of. . . ) I could consider extending the trip into a rum holiday.

Any suggestions on good Caribbean rum destinations?

I was thinking of Cuba (not simply for the rum but also because I'd really like to go there). Of course logistically that is a bit of a hassle from the United States but it can still be done. Of course if I did it the right way I could even select my US-Cuba transit point (i.e. the third country I pass through) based on how it ranks as a rum destination.

I guess I would be there late July-August. Hurricane season apparently. Could be good rum drinking weather.

I'm from New Zealand so I'm pretty ignorant about Caribbean travel, and travel agents here aren't too clued up about the region either. I guess New Zealanders go to the South Pacific when they want that type of holiday. So any suggestions are welcome.

[bunnyhugs]

Oh. . .

I guess I should have posted this in the Caribbean forum.

Sorry.

[RobertBurr]

so many islands... Head for the Dominican Republic where most stuff is cheap, especially good rum and good food.

[bunnyhugs]

Dominican Republic. . . OK.

Is Haiti too much of a mess to visit? The history of that country is fascinating, and I heard there were one or two good rums.

[Edward Hamilton]

Haiti has a few good rums but from a tourist standpoint Haiti may be a little disappointing. The Dominican Republic has some good rums but you won't be able to see but one distillery if you're lucky. Depending on your travel connections I'd consider Barbados or Martinique, though the latter is basically closed the month of August as that's the time of most French holidays.

Barbados has three distilleries that you can see and a fourth is close to completion as a historic site. The rum is good, plentiful and accessible.

[RobertBurr]

Originally Posted by bunnyhugs

Dominican Republic. . . OK. Is Haiti too much of a mess to visit? The history of that country is fascinating, and I heard there were one or two good rums.

If you visit Dominican Republic, it's easy to go across the island to Haiti, but their Barbancourt rum is readily available throughout the Caribbean -- without experiencing the uncomfortable condition of Haiti at this time.

You also have the option of visiting Cuba, but not from the US. If you go to the Bahamas, Cayman Islands or Jamaica, it's easy to get to Cuba. All are frequently recommended places to enjoy tropical sensations, good rum and "hot" women. Cuba and Dominican Republic are the cheapest, Cayman is the most expensive.

As Ed states, Barbados and Martinique are high on the list of rum enthusiasts. New Orleans has some direct flights, but only Miami has direct flights to every country in the western hemisphere every day.

[cigar-aficionado]

Barbados is really good for rum lovers but Cuba is seriously different, nowhere else comes close in terms of rum, atmosphere, people etc. If you get a chance to see it now, before it changes for good, then do it. You really won't regret it

[Count Silvio]

I heard Havana was a bit fake ie built for tourists but Varadero was a better place.

[Colin]

I've never been to the Caribbean, but I've been to New Orleans a few times. It's insanely fun. The drinks aren't necessarily the best I've encountered, but the atmosphere makes up for it. Those frozen, sweet strawberry daiquiris (for $2) are almost tolerable on Bourbon Street at its humid high point. It's nice being able to walk around with your drink.

Better yet, there was one spot —*I think on Decatur Street near Jackson Square — where I got a drink called a French Quarter Quencher. It was very nice: 3 parts cranberry, 2 parts Absolut Mandrin and 1 part Malibu rum.

[Hank Koestner]

There are so many choices for you. Barbados would be great. St Maarten/Martin could also be a choice, great beaches, lots of rum, and you could even find some agricole there. You could ferry over to Anguilla and St. Bart's. I have made this trip a couple of times before, and loved it.
The Islands at the top of my list are Martinique, Guadaloupe and Cuba.
I am sure there will be plenty of cold rum drinks for us to take the edge off the heat in New Orleans this July. I am looking forward to meeting all of you that are coming this year!