World-Class Rum Tasting Auctioned Off to Benefit Children

Top row: Clement X.O. & Brugal 1888
Bottom row: Mount Gay 1703 & Angostura 1824

This holiday season began with a cocktail: goodwill mixed with rum. It started with a personal request from a friend, one of the Boyer Children's Clinic Board of Directors, to donate a rum tasting for their annual Inspiring Journeys Auction Gala.

I believe if you can share 10 of the best rums in the world (and a cocktail) to benefit children with neuromuscular diseases and developmental delays along with their families, then this was a tasting worth donating and that is what I did...



Ten of the finest rums available from around the world have been selected. This one-of-a-kind tasting is to take place in a breathtaking Capital Hill condo with sweeping views of downtown Seattle. The evening includes complimentary valet parking by Butler Valet, catered food by Mojito and a personally guided discussion through each of these world-class rums for 15 guests. If you have been to any of The Rum Collective's many educational events, you would know a greeting cocktail is compulsory. For this tasting, such a cocktail will be served as well. What to choose? A cocktail to begin an evening indulging in some of the most remarkable rums in the world must be of comparable quality. This cocktail, featuring Papa's Pilar Blonde Rum, is the perfect choice (see photo below).

May I interest you a Hemingway Daiquiri? 

Rest assured, it's made with only the finest ingredients...

Hemingway Daiquri featuting Papa's Pilar Blonde & Luxardo Maraschino

Oh yeah!

All of the rums selected for the tasting were chosen by the following order of criteria: quality, geographic representation and style, and availability in Washington State. Also, the rum must be donated by the brand. Well, guess what? "Big (and small) Rum" just gave back!! The list of rums in the tasting will include: Clement X.O. of Martinique, Brugal 1888 of the Dominican Republic, Mount Gay 1703 of Barbados and Angostura 1824 of Trinidad (see earlier photo). The other six selections in the tasting represent some of the most eminent rums out of Spain, Panama, France, Venezuela, Guatemala and Puerto Rico and are Ron Navazos Palazzi, Ron Abuelo Centuria, Plantation 20th Anniversary, Ron Diplomatico Ambassador, Ron Zacapa XO and DonQ Gran Anejo respectively. This intimate, guided educational experience will feature these rums in a select order and presented in snifters donated by Liberty Bar.

Behold some more of the most prized rums on the planet. 

The donated tasting was part of the live auction portion of the Gala. The bidding prices began at $500 and escalated rapidly. The tasting sold for $1600!! The winning bidder of the live auction was announced on stage and provided with a celebratory glass of Brugal 1888 to mark the occasion. Yum!!

"Proceeds will provide direct services, such as therapies, special education preschool classes, medical consultations, and family resources for the 750+ children and families Boyer Children's Clinic serves each year."

A sincere thank you to the owners of the condo, Butler Valet, Mojito, Liberty Bar and each of the brands who donated their product to create a first-rate rum tasting to benefit Boyer Children's Clinic!!

CHEERS!!!