The Far East Rum Diary - Le Journal du Rhum d'Extrême-Orient
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Past Issue(s) of The Far East Rum DiaryTo find previous edition of our newsletter, simply visit our cellar and select what you need under the past issues section.
For example September 2013 will take you to the first web edition of our newsletter. The Far East Rum Diary (TFERD) is a collection of "rum worthy" news and events taking in place and beyond Asia written by Philippe K.A. Buchle, French Rum Ambassador based in Hong Kong. |
The punch is back
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Damoiseau Ti punch
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Let's take a look at French punch, first the Martinique's Ti punch is fairly simple and is often a make it yourself type of drink, all you need is rhum agricole, lime, and cane syrup. You can also use and aged rum to make a "Ti Punch Vieux" sometimes simply called "Ti Vieux". The tradition would also require you to use a "bois lélé" to mix your drink but in Asia we may have to use a bar spoon instead.
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Ti punch and bois lele
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A very different French punch is the "punch planteur" (planter's punch) from Reunion Island which is closer to his cousin the Bajan Rum Punch. Back in the days I remember seeing my parents making punch in a large salad bowl using a full bottle of rum (possibly Negrita or Isautier), something like a glass of sugar cane syrup, plenty of freshly squeezed orange juice and all the ice they could find in the "frigidaire". Slices of orange, lemon and banana would be added and sometimes even a pod of Reunion's famous "vanille Bourbon" (Bourbon Vanilla). The punch would be chilled for about two hours before being served. |
punch planteur Reunion style
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New Rum Cocktails
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2013 Rum Year in review
Ian Burrell's rumshack in Antartica
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A for Antartica Before the end of Summer, Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell managed to setup a rumshack on a ship off the coast of the last continent. That was certainly unseen before although I would bet that my friend Daniel who conducted research at the Dumont d'Urville station during Summer campaigns could easily confirm that the staff working in any major Antartica base have access to rum and all kinds of spirits. Still it was a good initiative to raise fund for the Wine to Water charity group. |
A US$10,000 rum bottled in 1780
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C for Christie's Auction
Some of you may know about expensive rum, for instance a bottle of Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Independence Reserve Rum may cost you something like US$5000. How about a bottle of vintage rum that is over 200 years old? Apparently a rum distilled in Barbados in 1780 was found in the cellar of Harewood House in Leeds (UK). The bottles were auctioned by Christie something like US$10000 per bottle certainly a new record. |
Appleton Estate 50 Year Old
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UK Rumfest
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Miami Rum Renaissance Festival
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Germany Rum Festival
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Bahamas Rum Festival
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Italy Rum Festival
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F for Rum Festival
Who could say back in 2007 that the Rum Festival idea would spread and multiply like it did?
I am not sure how many they are nowadays, many exporting and importing countries have one, for instance this year we had the 7th edition of Ian Burrell's UK Rumfest, the 5th edition of Robert Burr's Miami Renaissance Rum Festival, the 3rd edition Dirk Becker's German Rum Festival in Berlin, the 2nd edition of Cyrille Hugon's Rhum Fair and among the new comers the first Hong Kong Rum Festival as well as the first Mauritius Rum Festival. In any case it shows that Rum continues to make a strong comeback.
I am not sure how many they are nowadays, many exporting and importing countries have one, for instance this year we had the 7th edition of Ian Burrell's UK Rumfest, the 5th edition of Robert Burr's Miami Renaissance Rum Festival, the 3rd edition Dirk Becker's German Rum Festival in Berlin, the 2nd edition of Cyrille Hugon's Rhum Fair and among the new comers the first Hong Kong Rum Festival as well as the first Mauritius Rum Festival. In any case it shows that Rum continues to make a strong comeback.
Tanduay Rum
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L for emerging leaders
People interested in rum will probably know that US based company Bacardi has been seating at the top of the World with about 20 millions cases of rum sold per year. This is about to change if it has not already happened Philippines' Tanduay with 8%-10% year on year sales growth will soon take the lead. Not only that but some experts have predicted that Bacardi may even fall to the 3rd position if India's McDowell's continues to grow at about 25% per year. |
McDowell's Rum
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Sugar Beach Resort
M for Mauritius
I continue to be amazed by the dynamism and creativity of the rum and liqueur producers of Mauritius. As a result, the rise of Mauritian rum as a category is not only noticeable but more importantly here to stay. Only the future will say if the nearby islands will follow Mauritius lead and come up with amazing rums able to compete in both quality and price with the rest of the World.
N for Neisson
As mentioned in October's edition of The Far East Rum Diary, the future of the Neisson and Depaz distilleries remains cloudy. On November 13th, the question was raised at the French assembly by Mr Bruno Nestor Azerot. The answer from Mr Victorin Lurel, the Minister of "Overseas France" was somehow cryptic. On one hand he said that the distillers had nothing to fear but on the other confirmed that the question would have to be examined and a final decision be made in mid December.
As mentioned in October's edition of The Far East Rum Diary, the future of the Neisson and Depaz distilleries remains cloudy. On November 13th, the question was raised at the French assembly by Mr Bruno Nestor Azerot. The answer from Mr Victorin Lurel, the Minister of "Overseas France" was somehow cryptic. On one hand he said that the distillers had nothing to fear but on the other confirmed that the question would have to be examined and a final decision be made in mid December.
The Rum Experience University
U for Rum Universities
The Rum University is part of the Rum Runner Press, a company founded by Luis and Margaret Ayala offering consulting services for the rum industry. Until recently the "Rum Uni" was pretty much the only choice.
In fact, to this day, rum education is somehow limited or even non existent depending where you are. In some places, one may learn bits and pieces about rum by taking a spirits class.
There is still a long way to go to however earlier this year, Ian Burrell launched in Spain the Rum Experience University. Thanks to this initiative it is now possible for amateurs and pros to take a rum crash course.
The Rum University is part of the Rum Runner Press, a company founded by Luis and Margaret Ayala offering consulting services for the rum industry. Until recently the "Rum Uni" was pretty much the only choice.
In fact, to this day, rum education is somehow limited or even non existent depending where you are. In some places, one may learn bits and pieces about rum by taking a spirits class.
There is still a long way to go to however earlier this year, Ian Burrell launched in Spain the Rum Experience University. Thanks to this initiative it is now possible for amateurs and pros to take a rum crash course.
Rhum Clement 6 Year Grand Reserve
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Y for rums of the year As you know they are numerous rum and spirits competition taking place in any given year. As a result, in 2013 a number of rums have received awards from experts at trade shows and spirits publications. This month we spotted "The Rum Awards 2013" published by the Rum Journal. Among the winners were the Rhum Clement 6 Year Grand Reserve - Rhum Agricole of the Year and the Damoiseau VSOP - Best New Rhum Agricole. |
Damoiseau VSOP
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Changing name or packaging of a specific rum may allow a producer to gain more visibility while harvesting more trophies. Yet, if as I understand the Damoiseau VSOP is indeed the Reserve Speciale and the Clement Grande Reserve the same as the Clement XO are the potential rewards worth the risks of confusing clients in existing markets?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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