Festival Rum Bahamas was a couple of weeks ago and it seemed to be a tremendous hit in it’s second year of existance. The Bahamas Weekly says “Over 4,000 people came to this year’s Rum Bahamas Festival held at Fort Charlotte February 27- March 1”.
Caribbean Soul Trekker posted great coverage of the event plus an entire gallery of vivid photos from the event.
TheRumCollective.com also has full coverage with a number of great photos from the event.
Morant Bay Distillery announced the launch of their Jamaican rum at London’s International Food and Drink Event. Peter Townsend, Morant Bay’s owner, spent three years developing his premium rum on his family’s Jamaican estate.
Larry Warren, owner and operator of St Nicholas Abbey, is talking rum, family heritage, and Barbados heritage.
I also think it’s important to understand, in my view, that sugar cane is really more than just making sugar, it has actually made Barbados a beautiful place and it has transformed it into a pretty island.
Rum is on the rise and it’s variety allows for a rum for any occasion says Matt Cannon of birminghammail.co.uk.
Your top three rum-based cocktails for 2015?
The classic daiquiri. A great refreshing, simple light drink that was popular in the 1900’s and is still popular today.The Old Cuban is a favourite for many. What’s not to love about a drink that’s a hybrid of the daiquiri/mojito, made with Bacardi ocho and topped with some fizz?
And on a great summer’s day, it’s got to be the piña colada , blended with ice; takes you back to the tropics every time.
J. Wray & Nephews sales have taken a dip recently. JamaicaObserver.com reports that non-rum sales are to blame for lagging sales.
“Sales in Jamaica declined organically by 4.4 per cent in 2014, driven by the soft performance of the non-core business, partially offset by the positive results of the Jamaican rum portfolio and Campari,” according to statements on the results.
A quick look at Barbados as a tourist destination for fun, sun, and rum fans.
Sarina, Australia’s Sugar Shed Rum is smelling sweet success according to ABC Australia. Their sugarcane juice rum earned a bronze medallion from the Australian Distilling Awards for both of their rum and rum liqueur.
Liverpool recently held the Albert Dock Rum Festival. Liverpool Echo reports that the first year, two-day festival was full of rum tastings, musical performances, and a multitude of rum cocktails.
Talking Tiki with Tiki Drink innovator, and owner of Chicago’s Lost Lake, Paul McGee.
Stories we missed:
Malibu blamed their recent failures on “too many innovations“. That’s an interesting analysis. In recent years, Malibu has rebranded itself and introduced series of new product to little success. Recent products include Malibu Rum Sparkler (2014); Malibu Spiced, Malibu Swirl, & Malibu Sundae (2013); Malibu Red (2012); Malibu Black (2011).
Rightfully so maybe we can say we have done too many innovations in a short space of time with Malibu Red and Black and Spiced, so now I’d say the focus clearly is the core and our marketing campaign Summer State of Mind, which is performing extremely well – Pernod Ricard CEO Alexandre Ricard