Master of Malt's 2014 Advent Calendar: The Coming of Rum

The Rum Advent Calendar (2014 Edition)

Advent calendars, for many, give a sense of excitement of what is or is not to come. They often bring forth fond memories of childhood, filled with special surprises to keep you calm (or calmer) as the countdown to Christmas, although numbered, seemed like an endless period of time. The idea is perfectly simple. A box, more or less rectangle-shaped, made of cardboard, decorated with images of Christmas lore shrouding a series of small numbered demarcations which are opened to reveal something special. Inside you find an uncertain present, like a wrapped piece of chocolate or toy to open each day until December 25th. Fun, right? Don't you miss it?? Well, now, you don't have to; and we are not talking about chocolate here folks. Behold an adult-only calendar. Nice! No, not with nude photos or sex toys; come on now, keep it clean. We are talking about adult beverages, specifically, the sugar cane spirits kind. Oh yeah!! Master of Malt has done it alright...and they did it right. Their 2014 Rum Advent Calendar featuring their very cool Drinks by the Dram concept has captured that innocent childhood-like fun and increased the proof. Naughty! That's right rum lovers, each day you can look forward to a new dram of quality rum (not to worry all you whiskey, tequila, cognac and difficult to understand vodka types, they have you covered too). Hmm, what will today have in store, Jamaican or perhaps Bajan? Is tomorrow going to be filled with Demerara dreams or hot night in Trinidad? You never know what the next numbered box might have in store. Instead of reindeer, wrapped presents and elves in snow on its front, you get a member of the British Royal Navy, or perhaps a pirate-gone-privateer enjoying his latest rum booty with his faithful dog by his side. Check out the view of the sea and a bounty of rum bottles on the shelves. Seriously, how fun is that!? Well, after learning of this temptation last year, the opportunity to experience it this holiday season could not be missed. The holiday season just got better. Time to set a course for 24 days of rum and fun, so let the countdown begin!!

Starting December 1st, follow along each day on The Rum Collective Facebook page as we journey through each offering from the 2014 Rum Advent Calendar!


Cheers!

Drinks by the Dram: A Novel Concept



Drinks by the Dram
(Packaging)

Imagine you arrive at your local liquor store to buy a bottle of a rum (or scotch, etc.) only to find yourself presented with an age old dilemma. The bottle is pricey; an unaffordable gamble without knowing if you like what's inside first. And, unfortunately, there isn't a mini size offered for that bottle of El Dorado 21yr you were just looking at. Sound familiar? Well, Master of Malt offers a solution to this dilemma. This solution is called, "Drinks by the Dram".

If you want to try a "sample" before buying the full bottle, you can. On their website next to each product, one only needs to click on the "Try a Sample" icon. Simple! The "sample" size is 3cl (one fluid ounce) and it arrives in a glass container with the top screw cap closure fashionably sealed with wax (see photo). This is ideal as glass doesn't impart or remove any flavor like plastic and the wax seal keeps the exposure to oxygen at a minimum before it arrives in your mouth. Thus, the "sample" maintains its original character and is representative of the larger bottle it came from. The samples are packaged in a neat recyclable cardboard box holding up to five samples. The box is also surrounded with bubble wrap for its journey across the pond from the UK. The "Try a Sample" option isn't available for all their rums in stock, but I am told more and more brands are becoming available as agreements are reached. So it is worth checking their site periodically for updates.

Renegade Guyana Port Morant 6yr (left)
Green Label 15yr Old Trinidad (middle)
Renegade Grenada Westerhall 12yr 1996 (right)

Their selection is another advantage. Many of the rums and other spirits on their site are not available here in Washington or other states. For example, you can find several Barbados rums from R.L. Seale, such as Foursquare Spiced Rum, or R.L. Seale's 10yr and Doorly's XO, both of which have sample options! Demerara rums are dreamy and you don't have to daydream about finding more variety any longer. For example, they list Enmore still 1988, Port Morant 1992, and O.V.D Rum to name a few. Perhaps you are looking for a that special gift? Giving the gift of a rare bottle of booze is something special. They have got you covered with the El Dorado 25yr 1980 or Jamaica Vintage Rum 1941. But what about shipping? Master of Malt ships to most locations in the United States so check out their delivery page for details. To conclude I will offer my readers this advice:

"That doctor's a fool, I tell you. If I don't have a dram o' rum, Jim, I'll have the horrors; I've seen some on 'em already."

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 

Cheers to Master of Malt for their novel "Drinks by the Dram" concept and their selection of Rum!