Rene

Hi john The words "ron de cuba" and "destilado en Cuba" are allowed for any rum from Cuba, as long as the words are properly used. It does not tell anything about the quality, it only means that the Rum comes from Cuba and that it is actually distilled in that same country. Lagoa is a Cuban distilled product, so they can use the words. Real Cuban Rum also has a green bandana or seal (if that is how they call it) on it which ensures you are dealing with a Cuban product. It say's "Cuban Government's warrantly for Cuban Rum". They also use those on their cigars. If that bandana is not on it, you are dealing with a fake. More and more will the Europeans see Rum that come from Cuba. The Americans have to wait a little (officially that is). Matusalem is a rum that originates from Cuba but is created in the good old USA (they used to write it on their label, but the latest label does not say a word of USA anymore!!!!!!!!!!!). So they can not use the words from your question. They say that they make "Cuban style Rum" or "Formula Original de Cuba". That only means that the recipy comes from Cuba. They also have a small green "thing"on their bottles but it is not the real thing. They try to look like a real Cuban product, because of ther heritage. The Matusalem factory in Cuba (Santiago) is still operational. I have been there end shot some pictures on the outside. When the militairy police saw me, I had to run, because they wanted my camera. There is not much to see on the outside of the factory, but it sure was an adventure.

Hi John, How about you and me going to that shop and ask them if we could have a tasting. We can report it on Egullet, so everybody is happy (we the most ofcourse). You know the way to Amsterdam now, so that should not be a problem. Perhaps there are more people interested in having a tsting in that lovely shop. We can always try. Anybody interested?

Hi ctgm, There is a site where you can find more information about this Rum. Check their E-mail, perhaps you sended it to an other one. Try again. http://www.roncarupano.com Good luck on this one.

Hi John, Nice to have met you in Amsterdam. next time you are near, we drink some of that last bottle 36 year Uitvlugt that I bought. at Cadenheads. As discussed, I have my site (half)running and I wrote my side of the tasting. It can be found on www.rumpages.com Just scrol down on the left till you see Tastings & Fests. Than on the right you will find the link to te tasting. The pictures in the story can be enlarged by clicking on them. Untill we meet again, Rene

Hi, In Spain they make nice Rum themselves. Arehucas is very good, specially their Captain Kidd Rum. 20 years old in a very nice package. Their site: www.arehucas.com and www.arehucas.es I will check my info on bars later when i am at home. Best regards, Rene

Hi John, It is great that you found this tasting. I live nearby so I already signed up. I will visit the shop within some days to check it out. Although i live near Amsterdam, I did not know about this shop. I already have several Cadenhead's from London, But with a shop this nearby, I think my stock will grow. Thanks again. Perhaps we meet at the tasting? Best regards, Rene

Hi you all. On Ebay I found statues of Mc Cormick rum. They are great, so I bought them. Now I am looking for information about these statues and their rum. Is there a site with info about Mc Cormick. Does it still excist? etc. Best regards, René

Hi, I just returned from Cuba. It was great. I had great local rum like Areche (from former Arechebala) and Caney (from former Bacardi). Ofvourse there was plenty of Havana Club (now and then to much, but it is holiday). I also visited The Havana club museum and headquarter. The distillery was forbidden. I saw the former Bacardi and Matusalem distillery (from the outside). I took some pictures, but the police did not like that. I also visited another distillery (botling part actually). The distilleries are mostly forbidden for tourist. I'm working on an internet site where the journey will be shown. For now, best regards, Rene

Hi, The Chinese people I talked to all say that they don't produce Rum. They mostly produce alcohol from rice. If there is any Rum produced, it should be on a local scale. So you will probebly only find it when you are on holiday in China. There is one thing. China thinks that Nepal is part of China, instead of a country on its own. There is a Rum from Nepal, but I forgot the name. I think it is linked to a distillery in India. If you also think that Nepal is part of China, there is a Rum from China in excistens. Rene

I will take as much rum with me as I can, and I will take more cigars than I will ever smoke (actually, I don't smoke)

Hi, June 23 I'm going to Cuba for 3`1/2 week. I will cross the whole island. Where van I find all the distilleries? Rene

Hi John, In Holland there are not many shop that sell good rum. In amsterdam there is Cave Rokin (on the Rokin near damsquare) and in Venlo there is Joep Dielen (near the city hall). I know the owner of Cave Rokin. If you want a certain rum, and he is able to get it, I can arange it for you. By the way, your list of El Dorado is not complete. There is a new one on the Dutch market now (sorry, not in USA yet). a 21 year old. Great spirit for a good price (I tasted it with the importer for Europe). Funny thing is I don't know the Malecon. Shouldn't it be Macouba? Did they tell you where to get this Rum? please let me know. I collect information about all the rums that are available in the Netherlands For any question about rum in the Netherlands, I can help you. I life in Koog aan de Zaan (north of Amsterdam) and was twice a judge on Rum Fest in Barbados (couldn't go this year to Newfoundland, perhaps next year) I have many rums, and am looking for partners to taste them and rate them. After that I want to start a Rumsite where people can find information about all kinds of rum. Best regards, rene

Hi, I''m searching for information about Panama Rum. I can choose from: Cortez Malecom Rumnation Does anyone know anything about these Rums. I like to know more before I buy or drink. (they are very cheap, so maybe I take them all) Rene

It sounds so logic, yet I didn't think of it. Thanks for the idea.

Thanks for the idea, but I work in Amsterdam, and just 50 meters from the shop where I work, there is a shop called Hajenius (www/hajenius.com) They sell the best cigars in the country, or even perhaps in western Europe (so I have been told, since i don''t smoke). Their shop looks great Though.

A question, I want to do a Rum tasting in Amsterdam, and I want to try al the Rums that are available in the Netherlands. Does any of you have ideas how to do that. I don't want to "damage" my private collection to much, so I need donations of the companies. Does any have ideas how to start such an event (its about 100/120 Rums). If I succeed you are all welcome to join. Further details will follow (if there are any details).

A question, I want to do a Rum tasting in Amsterdam, and I want to try al the Rums that are available in the Netherlands. Does any of you have ideas how to do that. I don't want to "damage" my private collection to much, so I need donations of the companies. Does any have ideas how to start such an event (its about 100/120 Rums). If I succeed you are all welcome to join. Further details will follow (if there are any details). René

That's the strange thing, most of them are still sealed. Although I love to drink it, I don't drink that much, and when I drink I try t enjoy it totally. Perhaps I will open about 80 bottles with some Rumfanatics in Amsterdam later this year, so we can talk about the taste etc. Anybody interested???????????? Rene

Hi you all, I''m new in this forum, but as we say, I''m not green (not quite an amateur). I sell wine and spirits in Amsterdam, I''m writing a book about "Rum in the Netherlands", I teach wine and Whisky in Holland, I do tastings (a Wodka Tasting tomorrow) and I''m up-dating a studybook for the drinks industry in Holland. Furthermore I''m creating a Website about Rum. I want it to become a library of information and pictures. I'll keep you posted. Finally I collect Rumbottles from all over the world. I''ve about 180 now and 75 mini''s and it is still growing. I hope I can tribute to this forum.