A Festival to Shine in Nassau: A Look Back at the Promise of Rum Bahamas 2014

Festival Rum Bahamas 2014 Opening Ceremony

Today, we are fortunate that there are many events happening around the world called, "Rum Festivals". They sell themselves on their name. Sometimes, they hold true to their namesake; sometimes they do not. Not surprisingly, people get excited about the Rum part, I mean, seriously, who doesn't? Rum conjures up scenery of the Caribbean islands surrounded by turquoise waters, pirates, beautiful people and that tropical heat. But what about the "Festival" part? Many who go to "Rum Festivals" more often find air-conditioned rooms, characterless banquet halls under fluorescent lights inside stuffy hotels and convention centers. Instead of the white sandy beach paradise they imagined, attendees are surrounded by carpeted walkways and sterile white rooms straight out of the sitcom, The Office. Thank you, but no thanks, you can keep that type of festivity. For me, I'm headed to a Festival like no other. Where's there's hot sun overhead, the natural environs of the Caribbean, captivating water views among endless booths overflowing with exotic rums, island food, local crafts and plenty of live music. One needn't search any further for this sort of festival, for it's returning to Nassau at the end of February. Oh yeah! Set inside the stone interiors of Fort Charlotte, its charms will offer something special for each visitor who makes the trek. This historic venue will set the stage, but Festival Rum Bahamas will flaunt more than just ruins and rum, it will inspire to re-capture the idea of what it means to be a 'festival'. Whether you prefer it shaken or stirred, this three day event showcases a delicious and rather intoxicating blend of rum, food and culture for any palate. Sound exciting?! Well, don't just trust my words, get a ticket and go see for yourself! In the meantime, here's a inside look at some of the rum-filled fun that happened last year.

Local rum and food pairings!

John Watling's Pale Rum & Conch Salad

A quick sample of some of the goods from Ron Botran...

Ron Botran booth 

...and smile or two from Bacardi

Bacardi booth

Historical canons line the walls of Fort Charlotte....

....and in the distance the hip shaking rhythms of Cuban Music....

Havana Club Rum and Cuban music

....of course mixed with Havana Club!!

Havana Club booth

Walk around to see booths filled with local artists selling their crafts 

Local Arts and Crafts

Decorative relics of yesterday...

How about a refreshing mixed drink, Caribbean style?

Fresh coconut water and Rhum Clement VSOP

Award winning rums and local beauty.
You needn't read the shirt to understand such a combination produces "Body Solutions"

Gold medal winner Plantation 3 Stars with G's Spa & Body Solutions

Festival Rum Bahamas 2015 is coming soon. Hope to see you there!

Cheers!!

Rhum Clement X.O. - A Death in the Family

We all imagine the time will come when there will be no more time. Like an older relative or loved one, we understand there will be a point at which, their life will end, when we will receive a phone call from a family member, informing us of the expected, yet otherwise unimaginable. We attempt to understand what it may be like, but don't really want to know. Then, that point arrives and the seemingly infinite amount of time on Earth is suddenly fixed; you hang up the phone and are left with memories and a void. You cannot change what has happened, but notice an ache deep inside, knowing such times will no longer be. This is how I felt after hearing that Rhum Clement X.O. had died.

Composed of the best vintages (1952, 1970 and 1976) Martinique has ever seen, its aromas and flavors were well received and impacted many. These vintages, despite their most appealing qualities, were produced in limited quantities. We often take for granted those with so much meaning in our lives, and as a r(h)um lover, I am guilty of this as well. An amazing rhum comes along, however you don't fully appreciate it in the context of it never being readily available again. History repeats and this timeless story is told again. Its passing is a great loss to anyone who appreciates world-class spirits and it saddens me knowing the future of rhum agricole will no longer have one of its finest expressions at hand. In trying to relate what this rhum meant, I have requested comments from many of those in the rhum community about Clement X.O.'s passing.

Here are some of the comments from friends, family and those who have came to know and love this rhum agricole tres vieux:

It's sad because it was the first agricole that visually (X.O./Bottle) connected itself with French brandy making for me. I think Martinique could benefit from that connecting and pedigree more. I typically avoid r(h)ums that have spent more than 15 years in a barrel. I have never avoided Clement X.O.  

---Steve Livigni (La Descarga, Scopa Italian Roots, The Chestnut Club)

We will remember it as one of the best of all the french caribbean. The last tears of it have already been consumed and our tears won't replace the pleasure and feelings we had to enjoy the last sips of it. Let it rest in peace alongside the master, the Dr. Homere Clement, for now and eternity 

---Benoit Bail (Liqeuers et Spiritueux, Zwazo Rum)

So much more than a series of age statements, the X.O. straddled both brilliance and belligerence with sweet bright notes layered over a dense almost over charred, finish. 

---Chris Morales (Rhum Clement)

This won't be the last retired iconic spirit as demand for quality far exceeds the old stocks that exist to provide it. Drink the good stuff while you can! 

---Jim Romdall (Rumba)

I once traded a bottle of X.O. for an excellent bicycle. Now that bicycle makes me sad. 

---Wayne Curtis (Author - And a Bottle of  Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails)

Clement X.O. was my introduction to aged agricole and has remained a favorite for many years. I started with the best and have never found a worthy substitute. It will be a very sad day in the rum world when it is finally....Until then I'm hoarding every bottle I find.  

---Mike Streeter (Rum Connection, International Rum Council)

I just can't believe X.O. is gone. It seems like only yesterday I was drinking X.O. out of a bottle in New Orleans with Jeff Berry and Blair Reynolds...the times we had, they will carry me forward. 

---Matt "Rumdood" Robold (rumdood.com, 320 Main) 

Well, I'm sad to see it go. It was a lovely rum, very austere and agreeably dry. Despite the advanced aged of the component rums, it never presented as over-oaked. Fortunately, the Clement range continues to expand with fine new offerings that help soften the blow.

---Martin Cate (Smuggler's Cove)

You were my first top shelf premium rum. Although you were excellent to sip on, your true calling was being paired up with Appleton 21yr for the luxurious Fifty Dollar Mai Tai that so many people enjoyed on their birthdays, anniversaries, promotions and holiday celebrations. The Fifty Dollar Mai Tai will never be the same and for that, you will be truly missed. 

---Jason Alexander (Tacoma Cabana)

It belongs to the ages now... 

---Chris Carlsson (Spirits Review) 

It's the end of an era personally. The Clement X.O. was the first truly high end agricole I ever had and I will remember it always with its nod to Cognac.

---Rocky Yeh (American Northwest) 

It's with great sadness mixed with warm emotions that Clement X.O. has depleted its rare stocks and has departed our rum cabinet for the great cellars in the sky.

---Benjamin Jones (Family, Rhum Clement) 

X.O. we hardly knew ye, but your legacy lives on. Vive le Vieux!

---Paul Clarke (Imbibe) 

It says a lot for Clement's integrity if they discontinue X.O. for a missing ingredient: most brands would just fiddle the formula!

---Ian Williams (Author, Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776)

The bottle that effectively pushed a certain Controlee brandy (au revoir Cognac) off the tiny Sambar shelves and solidified our Rhum-centric nature. It was all Agricole after that. 

---Jay Kuehner, (Vessel, Sambar) 

There will be a void in my rhum cabinet after the death of the excellent Clement X.O.

---Ian "Rum-Ambassador" Burrell (The Rum Experience) 

It's not often one's compelled to write about a rums passing. Most rhums, even great ones, simply....disappear...News of Clement X.O.'s pending extinction --barrel aged stocks of the 1952 vintage essential to its DNA are depleted - caused a tear drop as large as the shapely bottle it's presented in. No ordinary rhum, X.O. combines that elusive and exclusive complexity of aromas and harmony of flavors that other master blenders aspire to achieve. They will fall short. Clement's estate grown sugarcane and distillates are available only to them and to you in these always collectible yet soon to be extinct bottles. Hoard now, enjoy at leisure, cry later.

---Dave Russell (Rum Gallery, International Rum Council)

Habitation Clement and Rhum Clement X.O.

Rest in Peace Clement X.O.

Washington State Liquor 2011 - An Update For Rum Buyers

The new year brings hope for rum drinkers in Seattle in particular and Washington State in general. Before elaborating on recent developments in my positive rum forecast, I will note Washington State still controls the sales of liquor as it has since prohibition era. In 2010, several initiatives made the ballot to privatize liquor sales as a result of noncompetitive prices, less than favorable customer service and inconvenient hours of operation among others. These initiatives failed to pass. This topic is still smoking and although worthy of more debate, will be reserved for another time and post. I suspected changes in the 2011 post-initiative world, pass or fail, so I went to the stores with questions and more rum I found! Whenever in Washington, do as Washingtonians do and go to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) website. It is user friendly and a fairly comprehensive resource for state liquor news and laws. It has products, prices and their locations which are more accurate than not in regards to product availability and inventory. That said, I would recommend contacting them by phone first if you mean to buy something specific. Perusing the online selection you will notice that top of the line rums are here! One can now find premium aged rums such as Appleton Estate 21yr, El Dorado 21yr, Clement XO, Ron Zacapa XO and Mt Gay 1703 in select locations. So are the prices top shelf to match you ask? Compared to those our neighbors enjoy in the free world (California), the prices are higher, but not unreasonable for many. Additionally, the variety of rum, including a few new rums and old favorites are now in stock. Outstanding! For most of us gas isn't cheap and time is running out, so where does one go to find quality and selection?

University Store

It is no secret that the Crown Hill and University District locations maintain a large selection of special order rums. So I went to each location for answers as to their rum status. John, who works at the newly located University store is always interested in helping fellow rummies find a new rum, talk rum news and advocate for keeping a diverse selection of quality rum on hand. At the Crown Hill location, the manager Tina goes out of her way to assist each person find or order the products they are looking for and exemplifies exceptional customer service. When I arrived, she was excited to tell me several new rums have just arrived! Domestic rums Sergeant Classick and Montanya Rum were being opened along with some old favorites, Angostura 1919 and its enigmatic counterpart Angostura 1824. You may not find these products on the website just yet (I checked a few minutes prior to this posting) Exciting news indeed! Washington State has also seen agricole rums blossom in selection as well thanks to efforts from a local rum aficionado bartender Rocky Yeh. The introduction of a couple of remarkable brands from Martinique, such as Rhum Clement and Rhum JM are welcome additions to Neisson and La Favorite Rhums. Take a look at the Clement XO and Clement Cuvee Homere, both delectable in bottle presentation and taste. If I told you Rhum JM 1997 may make an appearance soon, I would have to kill you, so I will keep quiet about this...hint, hint. Crown Hill illustrates its commitment to rum having over one full bay of shelving dedicated to special order rums with room to expand. Can't find the rum you want? Just provide Tina the brand and its distillery or US importer to get started. Customers requesting special orders must still go to the store location as the form is not available online presently. Only time will tell if consumers will see an overall improvement in pricing, access and customer service at WSLCB stores. In the meantime, rum lovers can take advantage of a larger and improved selection at stores that are rum-friendly.

Cheers to the Crown Hill and University locations for there dedication to rum!