Lagoa

[John von Pey]

Hi all,

I have been in France last week, and found a bottle of rum called Lagoa. On the label it says "ron de cuba" and "destilado en Cuba". But I thought only Havanna Club was allowed to carry those two lines?

[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.

Edited May 24, 2004 by Rene (log)

[John von Pey]

I found an internetadress on the back, in very small print: Marquerepere

Through that link you get to the homepage of LeClerc, one of the bigger French supermarket chains.

Select:

- le salon

- boissons alcoolisees

- alcools forts

and on page 2 you find Lagoa in three varieties. Two are from the Antilles, one from Cuba.

This link should lead you directly to the Lagoa page

[scheer]

Hi John,

There are plenty of original rums from cuba on the market. All will be bottled in Cuba or under licence of the Cubans. It is not allowed by the Cuban Government to export Cuban rum in bulk and bottle it with a private or own label and bring it on the market.

Cuban brand are e.g. Caribbean Club and Varadero but there are many more..

regards,

Ed