Rene

Actually it's not complicated. There are (in the EU, I don't know about the USA or elswhere) clear rules, but there is no control. Without control "money" will create it's own rules.

The labels of the Barcelo are under construction at this moment. Within a few months we all can see the new presentation.

If you want more info about Bally, check my site.

I hope I don't destroy a wonderful feeling about a good Rum, but the Malecon is created in PANAMA. It is produced by Varela Hermanos. Their master blender (Francisco J. Fernandez P.) used to work for Havana Club in Cuba years ago. They sold their Rum to a friend, who named it Malecon Rum. So the only Cuban about this Rum is its creator. The Liberacion is a genuine Cuba. All Cuban Rums have an extra small and wide green label on it. Without that one, it's a fake!

I just came back from NY. Great city. I tried some of the mentioned shops. I did not buy anything, but still got some bottles with me back to Europe. Today I start writing my FestUSA story. ASAP I will place it on my site. When I doe, I will notify you all here.

Give me some more details that you would like to see on it (name, country, pictures, logo, type distillation, dates, etc) and I will give it try. B T W what is the size of the label?

This Rum must be from SAB, but only if this Rum is from Surinam at all. Nobody knows anything about this Rum. Makes me wondering.................................

Thanks for the information, Rene. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it there. ←

In April this year, Cadenhead's Amsterdam organized their first Rum tasting. John von Pey and me were there. We could taste several of the private range bottlings. Since Cadenhead's has a large private range of Rums, there's a new tasting coming up on December 10, 2004. This tasting is meant for all new Rum drinkers and the ones that have had a drink or 2 (or 3, 4, 9, 100 or more). This time the tasting will be on a different location. The event will be held in Eetcafe Havana at Deventerpad 24 in Almere. The tasted Rums are all individual bottlings at drinking strength or cask strength. They are from all over the world and of different ages. Yours truly will be there, of course. The notes and pictures will be presented on my site a.s.a.p.

Within 2 weeks I will visit NY for the first time. I will stay there for a week. Are there places of interest for Rum lovers? Historic buildings, museums, etc. I am looking for anything that has got to do with Rum. I'm also looking for a great shop with great Rums. I'm there for FestUSA. When I'm back I will place something about it on my website. For that I will keep you informed.

I only drink 1 shot (of any alcohol) a week. This means about 35 cc. I don't know how much ounces that is. Sometimes I drink several glasses of wine. I am what I call a "taster". I try to enjoy the taste. I do not drink Rum because I am thirsty. Sometimes I have 3 shots in 1 evening (at a party mostly). I have reached my tax than. For several weeks I don't drink at all than. I can live without alcohol for months (for ever if I need to) but sometimes the atmosphere increases when people have had a drink (or 2). I always say: drink with moderation and with friends. But when I drink, it's only quality. Not the cheap shit, but the aged stuff. In the end it costs me as much as the people who drink more of the cheap stuff. For me it's quality that counts.

Many thanks for the reply. Unfortunatly, their site is under construction. I will contact them later. I do understand that some information is confidential, but what information can you give about your share in the Dutch market. To who do you sell? what are the quantities and qualities?

Hi Ed, I will come to the USA for the Fest. I will take my camerawife (that's my wife with a camera) with me. Are there some more interesting details available? Is there a press conference (or something like that)? I would much apreciate some incrowd (is that correctly spelled?) information.

On my website I want to give a little bit more attention to the smaller quantities of Rhum. Some Rum is bottled in only 1500 bottles or even less. Mostly they are only locally available. Do you know any of these Rum (or Rhum?). I need pictures and stories. In December I start with the first one that is bottled in Holland. A second one is also wainting to be placed on the internet, but that one is also bottled in Holland. Everything here is small, including the quantities of Rum. Do you know an address for me to find information?

I will do my best to be there. It all depends on my boss.

I just bought a special bottle from a Surinam Rum. Is a thin bottle (20 cl) with a piece of cane in it. The Rum comes from Lange Tabbetje in Surinam. Does any one know this Rum? I bought it in a shop in Amsterdam. They buy all kind off spirits and bottle it in their own style (they also have thousends of mini's! Great, but not for sale). I think the Rum is bought from Scheer, but the owner is not helpfull so far. They would contact me about info, but nothing yet.

Martinique is a D.O.M. which means it's overseas territory, not a colony. Officially it's France. It's on the other side of the world, but it's French ground. The term XO does not only refer to Cognac. Sure, most people only know it from there. There are R(h)ums with that name (Dillon has a Grand Reserve XO). There are also Armagnac with that name. It's a pitty you are disappointed, because Saint James makes some fine Rhum.

Here are some notes I found on the 2 French version (can be found on my website as well). Rhum Vieux (40 %, 42 % & 45 %) Aged in limousin oak for 2 to 3 years. Mentioned characteristics: Dark mahogany warm colour, heady and rich aroma. Hors d’Age (43% & 45 %) A blend of rums between 3 and 12 years old, although some mention the age of 15 years. Mentioned characteristics: Slight prickliness, soft underlying sweetness, light-bodied, cocoa, vanilla, cake frosting, bittersweet chocolate, honey, tea, molasses, roasted nuts, caramel. brief finish, moderately sweet, voluptuous. In the end it is all a metter of taste. There is nothing wrong with Barbancourt. It is a good Rhum with much flavor. If you like that one better, than who are we to tell you different?

I have just been in Martinique, and in the distillery there was a label of Extra Old. It had 42 % on it. There were 2 other old Rhums available there: Vieux & Hors d'Age. Extra old is not a French name for a Rhum. They can use XO (which means the same) but they would not use your name in French territory. The Extra Old could be an Ebglish label for the Vieux, since that one has 42 % as well (and 40 % and 45 %). The Hors d'Age has 43 % and can not be the French version. They all have caramel in it for sure to make sure all bottles have the same color each year. Most Rum does.

Hi Edward, Thanks for helping with the link. Next time I go to the Caribbean We will meet. Also thanks (and all other readers) for checking my site.

Finally I finished the writing about my journey to Martinique last summer. Almost all the pictures I took there are included. http://www.rumpages.com/Extern%20Links/Martinique%202004.htm The story can also be found on the website of Rumpages. under “events” and “my journeys”. Than you can click “Martinique 2004” where you will find the same pages. That link will always be there. If you don't like it, let me know and tell me why. If you like it, tell all the others. EDIT BY Jason Perlow: URL was not properly formatted in both posts, should work properly now.

Hi Mickeman, You are right, it is a error. The terminology of Rum is not that very different from the Whisky or Cognac production. Low wine comes from the first pot still and high wine from the second. I have a bottle of High wine, wich means that it is an unaged Rum. It even did not have a few weaks rest before botling. Since the name rum can only be given after some time of ageing, the name High wine is used. It is an uderstandable misstake, and it shows that you are a great observer.

The mount Gay and WIRR do have pot still, but they also have continue still. They make a blend. they don't sell their Rum as a single pot still. WIRR sells their pot still to bulk buyers, but it is dificult to track them. Scheer in Holland buys from them, but they don't have their own label. They sell to other buyers wich use the Rum for privat labels, but mostly as a blend with continue still again.

Hi, Within a few days I will be going to Martinique for a Rhum holiday. I was supposed to go to Canada with my wife, but allas now I am going to Martinique on my own. I want to visit everything that has got to do with Rhum production. Can anyone give me as much details/information as possible? I am gonna rent a car, so distances is no problem. I will write down my experiences, and I will make loads of pictures. All can be found later on my website (www.rumpages.com) wich will be operational on agust 1st. If any of you guys has an question that can be answered on this Island, please let me know. Perhaps I can find your answer. For sure I will try to find as much info about the productionproces of Rhum Agricole. My french is not so good, but I can always try.

The Malteco is from Guatemala. It is available as 10 years, 15 years and 20 years. Although Malecon is the name of a big street in Cuba, the Rum is not created there. The Malecon comes from Panama. Perhaps the people from the Panama distillery have connections with Cuba (like Bacardi and Matusalem) but nobody is sure. Malecon is available as 5, 8, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 25 years. There is also a "1976 Esplenido" to be found. Both Rums can be bought (in Europe) with a nice display (as on the pictures of john). Imiging is modern for Malteco and more old stylish for Malecon. As soon as I know more about this product, I will let you know.