Denizen Rum Arrives in Washington State

Denizen Aged White & Merchant's Reserve Rums

Leavenworth, WA

It's true, Denizen Rums are now stateside, Washington State side that is and it's about time. These two lovely blends of the E&A Scheer are an answer to a time past, but not lost and most definitely not forgotten. In fact, after tasting them, you might likely begin to question any previous ideas of using (or making) overly distilled rums, which have very little to no detectable flavor or that lack substance, well, like vodka. Sorry, not sorry! Each of Denizen's expressions are thoughtfully created for the purpose of mixing without losing the essence of the rum's character. The Aged White Rum consists of a blend of both aged and un-aged Trinidadian rums married with a small portion of high-ester Jamaican rums. Pot still with contrast, bingo! Almost sounds like medical speak, but rest assured, it's highly therapeutic. That's right rum lovers, they are freeing the funk out of it, literally! The Merchant's Reserve is the marriage of aged and un-aged Jamaican Rums with Rhum Grand Arôme from Martinique. This rum blend is a living reincarnation of the blend that Trader Vic Bergeron used to make his "second adjusted Mai-Tai"; a true homage to another blend and blender. So cool, not to mention tasty! A slow clap for the rum's founder, Nicholas Pelis of Citizen Spirits. Now, thanks to American Northwest, these two amazing rums are being distributed here!

Join us for Denizen's Official Washington State Launch Party Events!

Tacoma Cabana

Saturday, Feb. 20th 7-10pm

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/583265945154487/

Rumba

Sunday, Feb. 21st 7-10pm

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1057873457592502/

Liberty

Monday, Feb. 22nd 7-10pm

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1707124489532547/

Cheers!

Rum Fire Arrives in Washington State

Rum Fire at Liberty

Drink by Andrew Friedman

Rum is not dead. In fact, it's just starting to catch fire, particularly in Washington State. A new arrival has just hit the market with much to do; it's called Rum Fire. Those of you who like that funky, hogo character in their rum are in for a treat. Straight out of Trelawny, Jamaica, in the Overproof (63% ABV) category, this rum, like its label, does not lie. No, we aren't talking flavorless, neutral, 151 proof formulations here folks, we are talking about mouth full of flavor, Jamaican pot still rum. Oh hell yeah! J. Wray and Nephew Rum might have been your go to workhorse up until now, but, let's not get confused, Rum Fire is a thoroughbred. Well-endowed in all the right areas, Rum Fire will improve your Tiki game, move your mixed drinks and simply take your breath away. Plus, a little goes a long way, so there is good value as well. For more information, take a look at our article recounting the historic Hampden Estate several years back to learn a bit more about how Rum Fire is made.

Not surprisingly, this rum is already making a statement. Andrew Friedman, owner of Liberty, one of the long-time respected cocktail bars in Seattle, has reported it to be one of the two rums used in their new 'house blend' well rum. In a recent post, Andrew writes:

"Next trend! House blends!"

Our new #HouseBlend well rum? 5 parts @Ron_Cartavio silver/one part Rum Fire.

Guaranteed better #daiquiri.

Rum Fire & Ron Cartavio Silver

photo credit: Andrew Friedman, Liberty

Agreed!

Similarly, Mojito Restaurant, who recently launched their new cocktail menu, has made their decision as well. One of their new drinks is titled, TNT aka "Trelawny 'n' Ting" and it's dynamite alright. Luam Wersom, co-owner of Mojito, remarks, "this...oh man, this is my type of drink!". I doubt many will disagree either, just take a look, or even better, go have a drink!

TNT "Trewlany 'n' Ting"

Mojito Restaurant

Rum Fire (like Ron Cartavio Silver and Ting) is being distributed by American Northwest. You will soon find this Rum at retail liquor stores like QFC University Village, Esquin, Capco, Bevmo and Total Wine among others. And if you don't see it at you local liquor store (or bar), that means something's not right. So, ask them to order the Rum Fire and get your party started!

Join us for Rum Fire's Official Washington State Launch Party Events!

Tacoma Cabana

Saturday, Feb. 20th 7-10pm

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/583265945154487/

Rumba

Sunday, Feb. 21st 7-10pm

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1057873457592502/

Liberty

Monday, Feb. 22nd 7-10pm

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1707124489532547/

Cheers!!

Dictador Rums: From Colombia with Love...and Gin?

Meeting Event at Liberty

Dictador is not your typical rum from Colombia, nor was this meeting typical for The Rum Collective. Several weeks after we explored a full line of rums from Peru, we continued this South American tour into Colombia. Now, Colombia is well-known for many of its quality exports, but rum, and definitely gin, are not among them. So, what was so different, you ask? Instead of a full range of rums, from unaged to aged expressions, we tasted only well-aged, mature rums and a pair of gins. Yes, you read it right, GIN! But, but...this is a purely rum focused society, isn't it? True, but these Colombian Gins are not only made from sugar cane honey (reduced sugar cane juice), but they are both aged, one of which is done in rum casks. So, technically, they're related to rum and quite interesting to contrast in this context. Intriguing, eh? Let's move on then. Here is a brand that didn't want to produce just another Colombian Rum; they wanted to change the way you think about Rums from Colombia. Their rums seem to transcend tradition without losing any of its class; from how it's made to how it's marketed. First, and most importantly, Dictador Rums are not government run or produced. I'm not going to mention names, but quite a few rums from this country are. Second, take a look at the photo (above), their bottles are visually attractive on the shelf. They could have simply used a plain-Jane transparent bottle and a paper label, but they didn't. They used a squat, tapered neck bottle and added a bold, black polymer coating from Japan giving it a hint of technology and style, not to mention a better grip for pouring. Its black, matte finish concealing the contents within is no nonsense and grabs your attention prompting the question, "I wonder what is inside?" Their age statements highlighted in color are distinguished. Seriously, before you pop the cork, rum lovers might as well admit crushing on their package (no pun intended, funny though:). The compliments paid to the bottles at our meeting were of that tone. But, let's get serious, it's what inside that counts, right?

The meeting started and one of Liberty's rather quiet and humble bartenders, Andrew Dalan, brought out the greeting cocktail he created for this meeting. Now, if you have had a few of his inspirational cocktails before, there wasn't any surprise, he nailed it. Here's a look at his cocktail presentation and its recipe (see photo below).

Fitzcarraldo Cocktail

Fitzcarraldo

by Andrew Dalan

1.5oz Treasure - Colombian Aged Gin

1oz Grapefruit juice

.5oz Honey

.25oz Raspberry Liqueur

4 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Shaken and served up, orange peel garnish

Our tasting began with the gins. The Ortodoxy - Colombian Aged Gin (white bottle) is bright, with only a select few dominant aromas and flavors, notably, Juniper and mint. Of interest, it is made from fermented sugar cane honey, which is then five times distilled, extracting its fruits, spices and botanicals during the last distillation before ageing 6 months in oak casks. Its more aged sibling, Treasure - Colombian Aged Gin (black bottle), is rounded, more mellow in its bouquet possessing a gentle sweetness in its balanced aromas. It reveals a soft lemon zest and orange peel amidst hints of vanilla. It ages for roughly 35 weeks in previously filled Dictador Rum barrels and its medium bodied mouth feel is appreciated neat. Remember, we are talking about Caribbean ageing, where spirits age 2-3 times faster than that of temperate weathered England. While many of the guests were enjoying the Treasure, both in and out of the cocktail, other rum lovers commented on how they just found their go-to Gin for their next Caribbean Gin & Tonic!

Now, onward to the Rum!

The transition from tasting Gins to their Rums required only an open mind and some hand-to-mouth that was found most enjoyable, particularly when starting off with their 12 year old Rum. First, a discussion of Dictador's history and brief orientation about their rum making process was due. Dictador Rums are made at Distilleria Colombiana, located off the Caribbean coast of Colombia in the city of Cartagena de Indias. The distillery was founded by Don Julio Arango y Parra in 1913, when Colombia was known only as Nueva Granada. Legend has it, Don Julio Arango y Parra was the 3rd generation descendant of Severo Arango de Ferro, who emigrated from Spain in 1751 and became well known for making Cartagena the most important trading post for the Spanish Armada. Severo's duty there was to "increase trade" or in other words, improve tax collection, between Nueva Granada and the mainland. His reputation grew as did his power, which aptly landed him the name, Dictador. This nickname became branded and still remains today.

As the excitement to taste the rums grew, we paused to experience Dictador on screen.

Oh yeah!

We tasted through the first two expressions and a few notes were taken...

The 12yr, a blend of alembic pot and column distilled rums aged 8-14yr, offered up a pronounced honey like sweetness amidst balanced aromas of roasted almonds, toffee and marzipan. In contrast, the 20yr was chock-full of raisins, vanilla bean, currants, cherry tobacco, oiled leather and aged port under the nose. Both expressions had a silky, medium bodied mouth feel, however the finish on the 20yr (blend of rums aged 14-24yr) was notably more extended as one would expect. These two rums have a certain elegance; sipping like a fine brandy, no doubt.

Dictador Rums are made from sugar cane honey that is pressed from cane grown in the area's surrounding fields. Use of sugar cane honey is relatively unique, so why not molasses? In Colombia, molasses is earmarked by the government for biofuel making it economically undesirable with practical challenges. They employ an alembic copper pot still and a column still to distill their 12yr and 20yr Solera System Rums. Their rums are aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry oak barrels in a solera system, as Spanish sherry has been done traditionally in Jerez for years and are then blended by their master blender, Hernan Parra Arango.

The final two samples we tasted began with the XO Insolent and finished with the XO Perpetual, both distilled using only alembic pot still. Rums aged up to 25yrs were selected from their finest barrels including ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry barrels.

Although both XO expressions did not have the forthcoming bouquets as the younger expressions, the XO Insolent presented subtle aromas of sweet coffee cake, dark chocolate beneath oak-driven vanilla nougat and caramelized honey over marshmallows. The XO Perpetual was overall more on the earthy side with notes of moist tobacco leaves, new leather, charred oak, dark cacao, vanilla nougat. The silky smooth mouth feel was present in both, however the finish of the XO Perpetual was less drying and more pronounced in duration than the XO Insolent. These Rums would do well in cigar pairings, and despite attempts, Dictador's Cigars were not yet available in Washington during our meeting. It is worth noting that each of Dictador's rums are distinctly different from one another and may be tasted individually or in another order just as well. Overall, our small sample of refined palates were partial towards the XO Perpetual. However, both XO expressions are complex and well worth another visit to further explore their unique attributes.

Andrew Dalan's closing cocktail was served just after we finished tasting our final expression. With his reported idea of a Cuba Libre, reconstructed for better (or worse, as they are very drinkable!), this cocktail far exceeded any idea of just 'free'. It's simple, classic presentation, yet rich flavors embodied living life in style, refined and sexy. Dictador style!!

The Rum Gods bless you Andrew Dalan for this thoughtful gem of a cocktail!

Cartagena Libre

Cartagena Libre

by Andrew Dalan

1.5oz Dictador 12yr Rum

.5oz Amaro Ramazzotti

.25oz Lime juice

.25oz Simple syrup

4 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Build on rocks, top with soda water

lime wedge garnish

We sipped our Cartagena Libre while the next Dictador video began...

The end.

But if you fancy more, there are a few additional videos on YouTube

A big thank you to Andrew Friedman (owner of Liberty) for his generosity and continued support of The Rum Collective!

A round of applause to Andrew Dalan for a pair of rum-tastic cocktails!

Cheers to Dictador Rum for their support and to American Northwest for making this remarkable brand available to rum-lovers throughout Washington State.

4th Annual 'Tis The Season for a Holiday Punch Competition & Toy Drive

Young St. Nicholas Punch - 1st Place

Each December, The Rum Collective joins forces with Seattle Gin Society at Liberty Bar and does more than just celebrate our respective spirits; we drink them from a punch bowl for a good cause. That is to raise money for the Toys for Tots Foundation. In fact, over the past four years, it is one of the highlights of the year where our mission becomes even better; it becomes philanthropic. The event's end effect not only  "increases awareness and develops appreciation for rum" but also brings a smile to a few local area children that holiday season. If only every event could be more like this one! This year, guests brought either $20 cash or equal-valued unwrapped toy for a cup of each of the four different (two rum and two gin) punches in the competition. Seriously, "gin vs. rum punch", you ask? Is that even a fair competition? It is arguable  that most well-made rum punches would win. However, this is all in good fun and more votes, made by poker chips deposited in to glasses, could be bought for a small fee. It became apparent (over the past three years) gin people have more money than rum people, but this year, attendees voted without their pocket books and guess what? The Rum Punches took 1st and 2nd place. Not to rub it in but well over half of the attendees were "gin people". Big surprise, eh!

Let's take a closer look at these rum punches!

Young St. Nicholas Punch feat. Diplomatico Anejo

This punch was created as the greeting cocktail for The Rum Collective's 3rd Anniversary event featuring Ron Diplomatico. It was well-received by guests then and now. Simple, refreshing and balanced, here is the winning punch of the event! 

Young St. Nicholas

recipe by Rebekah Karnofski

(single serving)

1.5oz Diplomatico Anejo

0.5oz lime juice (fresh pressed)

0.5oz Giffard Orgeat

0.75oz grapefruit juice (fresh pressed)

3 healthy dashes of Angostura Bitters

Yum!

Korporal Krampus's Quarterdeck Punch - 2nd Place

This year we had special guest, Jason Alexander, create the second rum punch. Hailing from Tacoma Cabana, he tends and owns one of the best tiki bars in the country and it's located a convenient 40 minutes south of Seattle, Jason does tiki with the best of them. His tiki punch featuring the recently released Lost Spirits Navy Style Rum awakened many palates to the complexity of flavors found in this style of cocktails. A more or less magical potion overflowing with happy endings, his was the first punch bowl to go dry!

Jason Alexander serving it up

It was the United States Marine Corps who founded Toys for Tots, so military men and women are more than welcome at this event. In addition to a being an award-winning bartender and owner of one of the coolest up-and-coming cocktail bars in Washington State, Jason, also a marine, served his country prior to choosing a station behind the bar. Respect! Well, when some quality overproof rum flows, lips loosen, and soon the running joke of the evening recalled Proctor & Gamble's Secret punchline and went something like this:

"Lost Spirits Navy Style Rum, Strong enough for a Marine, but made for the Navy"

Probably good we didn't have any folks from the Navy there! Haha!!

If you make your way (and you should) to Tacoma Cabana, ask for this punch. Jason may serve it to you as he envisioned it (see photo below). 

Awesome!! 

Korporal Krampus's Quarterdeck Punch
photo credit and permission by: Jason Alexander, Tacoma Cabana

Korporal Krampus's Quarterdeck Punch

recipe by Jason Alexander

1 bottle Lost Spirits Navy Style

1 cup MAUI Okolehao Liqueur

1 cup Cruzan Blackstrap
1 cup Amaro Meletti 

1.5 cups grapefruit juice (fresh pressed)

1 cup lime juice (fresh pressed)

1.5 cups vanilla spiced syrup (Tacoma Cabana house-made)

In addition to sampling punches, the night was filled with many raffle prizes and two silent auctions. Although we didn't meet the fundraiser goal, we managed to raise $736 dollars that night for local area kids! All of the money and toys raised at the event were donated. To collect the donation we had the pleasure of having a decorated marine, LtCol Michael J. Byrne present with us at the event.

Left to Right: Gene Shook, LtCol Michael Byrne, Nicholas Feris

A big thank you to Ron Diplomatico, Lost Spirits (both distributed by American Northwest), 

Giffard and Vinum for their generosity and support!

A round of applause for Jason Alexander's service and skills!

Special thanks to Andrew Friedman of Liberty Bar for his continual support of our events!

Thank you to Toys for Tots for their commitment to helping children!!

Cheers and rumlove until next year!!!