As we watch in disbelief the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian, a Cat 5 as it slowly passed over the Bahamian Islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, it’s hard to fathom the relief and recovery process for residents of these beautiful islands. It will take years to clean up and re-build and, of course, the funds needed will be staggering. If you’d like to help, check out the links below to reputable charities that are accepting donations that will be used to help those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Thank you for your help!
Recently, lawmakers in the US Virgin Islands passed a bill that prohibits the sale of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. The ban is set to go into effect in March of 2020. Although these chemicals are probably not the sole cause of reef and coral damage, the US Virgin Islands is taking steps to slow down any damage that sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate may be causing.A study done in 2015 highlighted the effects of one of these chemicals, oxybenzne, on reef health. Florida and Hawaii have already passed similar bans.
FYI, Rum Therapy may receive a small share from purchases made via links on this page.
So, how do we protect ourselves from the damaging effects of too much sunshine while doing all we can to help protect our oceans? Suggestions include increasing the use of rashguards and sun protecting hats, limiting our exposure to the sun during the times of greatest UV exposure (10am-4pm), and finding reef-safe sunscreens, such as these brands listed below. These brands are zinc oxide and titanium oxide based and deemed safer alternatives by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
There are other brands that have developed a “reef safe” sunscreen that you may run across. Be sure to read the labels, because the ingredients vary, even within a brand. AND, be sure to find a sunscreen that will not only protect our beautiful oceans, but will protect you!
July 11 is officially dubbed National Mojito Day according to the folks that have put together the National Day Calendar (along with National Blueberry Muffin Day and National Cheer Up the Lonely Day). So in honor of this Rum Therapy observed holiday, we have put together a list of 10 Mojitos to try. Get that mint ready and try one or all! Which looks best to you?
Cheers to National Mojito Day!
Click on the name of each drink under its picture for the recipe.
We were recently invited to taste a very special rum, ARÔME True Rum 28. As we were not familiar with the name, we did a little research prior to our tasting and found that this luxurious rum is produced in Panama under the guidance of a rum mastero with over 50 years of experience making Cuban style rums and it had been awarded a Double Gold Award at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards in 2018. Additionally, ARÔME 28 has been aged for no less than 28 years in white oak casks formerly used to age Kentucky bourbon, and is a very limited edition.
The bottle and outer packaging were extraordinary – a white hand stitched box with an embossed leather label. The appearance of the box was quite luxurious and was a worthy container for the simple, but elegantly curved glass bottle with a black label and gold embossed lettering. The color of the rum in the bottle was deep and inviting.
We poured a sample, neat, and studied the nose. The aroma was one of the best we’d experienced (perhaps why it’s named ARÔME?) and we anticipated the taste would be equal, or perhaps even better (if that was possible), than the aroma. Once we forced ourselve to stop sniffing the deliciousness, we took our first taste. It certainly did not disappoint! A beautiful balance of spices and flavors that was not too sweet and an incredible smoothness from start to finish.
As mentioned previously, ARÔME 28 has been produced in a very limited edition and can be purchased at these fine shops according to their website. The price is indicative of a very fine rum ($500+ per bottle), so this is one for rum collectors and those that appreciate a limited edition, luxurious rum. In our opinion, ARÔME 28 would be one that is reserved for the most important occasions and shared only with those that really appreciate a fine rum. Use your best rum glasses for this one and try it neat so you can appreciate the excellent aroma and velvety smoothness.
Have you been lucky enough to sample ARÔME 28? If so, tell us what you thought!
This layered drink looks so refreshing and festive and is a perfect adult drink for a July 4th party or picnic! The drink is fairly sweet because of the grenadine and blue curacao, so for the best results, we recommend a slightly tart or unsweetened lemonade.
*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!
Summer is finally here! Time for BBQ’s, long warm days and summer rum drinks… Need some good warm weather rum drink recipes to try? Here are 10 of our summer favorites. Print them out and try them all summer long! Click the name under each photo for the recipes. Enjoy!
A special thanks to Maria Harutyunyan from Swiss Cuban Cigars for this guest post. For more information on pairing cigars with rum, find her contact info at the end of the article.
Rum is one of the most delicious and versatile drinks in the world. It can be consumed alone or included in a variety of cocktails. But this amazing liquor is also well-known for the beautiful pairing it forms with cigars. This combination is very satisfying and it can be adapted in many ways in order to suit you.
As for the cigars, there are so many types of rum that choosing the right combination can often prove to be difficult. Even though the pairing process is a subjective matter, there are some guidelines that may assist you on this amazing taste journey.
What is an overproof rum? As a general definition, overproof rums are the ones with a higher concentration of alcohol in comparison to the classic rums. The lowest alcohol concentration for this type is 57.5% and it can reach even the incredible percentage of 75.5%. This concentration is reached through multiple processes of distillation and not necessarily through aging.
These rums are full of personality and taste and they are best enjoyed next to a medium to full-bodied cigar like a Cohiba Robustos. In general, these rums can have a great variety of aromas and tastes and some feature very harsh intensities that are best matched with a full-bodied cigar.
A hidden trick used by many fans of both overproof rums and cigars is to drink the rum with ice. This is because the high level of alcohol of this specific type of rum can dry the mouth and the palate, making the aroma of the cigar less tangible. If you use this simple trick you will be able to enjoy both the rum and the smoke of the cigar.
Credits: pixabay.com/ro
What is classic rum? Classic rums are generally the ones that feature the traditional processing steps and the aging process. Among them, we can distinguish white rum, gold rum, and dark rum as the big families. White rum, as the name says, has a transparent color. This particular type is very mild and the production makes it one of the most affordable on the market because the aging process is very short and in some cases, this rum is not aged at all. The alcohol level is mild and it is best paired with a mild cigar.
Gold rum has a rich shade of amber or yellow and it has as a special aging process. These rums are usually aged in wooden barrels in which flavors like vanilla can be added in order to achieve a more complex taste bouquet. They can range from mild and smooth aromas to bursts of spice that tingle the tongue. They are best paired with medium or medium to full-bodied cigars like Partagas in order to achieve the ultimate balance.
Dark rums are the ones that undergo a longer aging process and have more intense flavors. They tend to feature really unique personalities and they can be enjoyed next to a cigar that can match the strength, preferably a full-bodied one.
Credits: pixabay.com/ro
Which is the winner? Basically, the winner will be the rum of your choice. Rum is a subjective experience; some may love the higher level of alcohol and the bold personality of the overproof rum while others may prefer the milder variations like the white or gold rum.
Rum has the great advantage of being a very versatile and overall delicious drink that can work in many drinks and cigar combinations. The overproof rums tend to be consumed in lower quantities because of the great amounts of alcohol but this will not prove to be a problem if you learn how to pace drinking with smoking,
Classic rums tend to be smoother and this is why many people stick to them. Dark rums can prove to be amazing pairs for cigars thanks to the amazing taste combinations that can be created.
Overall, you should experiment with both types of rum in order to find out which one, or maybe which ones, are the best for your taste buds.
In our line of work, a good beach bag is as important to us as a good briefcase is to many professionals. We’re always on the lookout for a good beach bag, and those of you who might be planning a tropical vacation may be embarking on the quest for the perfect beach bag too. The following is a list of our Best Beach Bags of 2019 compiled from research we’ve done for an upcoming beach trip based on these features:
Large enough to accommodate 2 good sized beach towels, cameras, books, snacks, sunscreen, etc.
Can get slightly wet (and sandy) without ruining anything inside.
Has a zippered pocket for small items.
Has a zipper close top.
Attractive style and color.
Can fold to fit easily in a suitcase.
Can hold a water bottle on the outside.
Blue Sky Basics Mesh Beach Tote Bag
Pros: beautiful color, mesh on the top for ventilation, solid bottom, 2 zippered pockets, cooler on the bottom for water bottles or cans, reasonable price, large enough for two plush beach towels, lightweight and can be folded to carry in your suitcase. Cons: It says that it has a “zipper top”, but there is no zipper on top. Instead it has a strip of velcro which, so far, seems to work pretty well.
Find the Blue Sky Basics Mesh Beach Tote Bag here.
Shylero XXL Beach Bag
Pros: large size, fits 2 plush beach towels, water repellent inside lining, comes with a bonus waterproof case for phone, wallet, etc., pockets on outside can hold water bottles, built in keyholder/bottle opener, also comes in a smaller size. Cons: magnet closure at the top instead of a zipper.
Pros: sturdy, large enough to fit 2 plush beach towels, outside pockets for water bottles, small inside zippered pocket, great price. Cons: no zipper closing on top.
Find the Odyseaco Baja Beach Bag here. Find the same bag in a different color here.
QOGiR Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag
Pros: Made of neoprene, so it should be durable. 2 inside zippered pouches, lightweight, folds flat to pack in a suitcase, comes in a variety of colors. Cons: Snaps on top instead of a zipper, may not keep inside contents dry if it gets wet, no external pockets.
Find the QOGiR Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag here.
PortoVino Beach Wine Tote Beach Bag
Ok, although not as functional or roomy as the other beach bags featured, this one holds 2 bottles of wine or 1.5 liters of your favorite beverage (painkillers or rum punch?) and has a handy dispenser built in! It also has a zippered pocket inside and the top zips shut. Hmmm. We may have to do a little more “research” on this one!
Find the PortoVino Beach Wine Tote Beach Bag here.
Do you have a favorite beach bag? What features do you look for in choosing a new bag? Tell us about it!
This post contains affiliate links. We only link to products that we think may be of interest to or benefit our readers. If you do click on the link and make a purchase, we’ll earn a little bit of money from the sale, which we’ll use to buy rum! And we promise to share any new recipes made with that rum with you! Cheers!
The rum capital of the world. That’s what Puerto Rico touts itself in its “Rums of Puerto Rico” campaign. We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Puerto Rico on several occasions, but we decided to return to the island recently to explore its world of rum.
Rum Sign in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
We did a little research prior to our visit and found that the rum brands produced in PR include Bacardi (which actually started in Cuba), Don Q, Ron del Barrilito, Caliche, Club Caribe and Trigo Reserva Añeja. Two we had heard of prior to our visit (who hasn’t heard of Bacardi?), but the others were new to us. We also learned that there are several characteristics that Puerto Rican rums must have to be granted that approving seal of quality. Those signature distinctions are high quality molasses, a continuous distillation process, aged for a minimum of one year in a white-oak barrel, and it must be produced in Puerto Rico. We were ready to start our rum journey, and off we flew to San Juan to begin our week of rum, relaxation and research.
I must admit, this type of “research” is quite enjoyable. We fit as much as we could into our week on-island and from that time, we compiled this list of suggested Rum Experiences on the Island of Puerto Rico. We will no doubt add more to the list after subsequent PR visits!
Ron del Barrilito and Don Q Cristal – two of the Rums of Puerto Rico
A visit to the Ron del Barrilito Visitor Center. They have just begun giving tours in their facility in Bayamón. A very good rum (we’re fans of the Three Star), and they recently started three tours; a Heritage Tour, a Mixology Tour and a Tasting Tour. Find out more about the tours here.
Take the Rum Runners Craft Cocktail Tour. This 2 hour craft cocktail walking tour will take you through the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to some of the best watering holes in town to sample 3 different cocktails crafted by local mixologists. Learn fun facts about the origins and backstories of the spirit that shaped Puerto Rico while enjoying the evening with a small group of rum lovers, like you! Find out more about this tour here.
Order a Piña Colada at Barrachina’s in Old San Juan. Barrachina’s is purported to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada where Don Ramon Portas Mingot created what became the world famous creamy rum drink in 1963. Although the drink is pre-mixed (perhaps as a time saver due to the large amount of them ordered), it’s fun to sit at the bar in the outside courtyard, enjoying the ambiance and chatting rum with the friendly bartenders.
Bartender at Barrachina’s
Casa Melaza in Old San Juan
Head on over to Casa Melaza in Old San Juan and learn all about Puerto Rican Rums by participating in one of their daily rum tastings. It’s a great way to sample several Puerto Rican Rums to find out which is your favorite before buying a bottle. Find out more about Casa Melaza’s Rum Tastings here.
Piña Colada at the Luquillo Kiosks
Visit the Luquillo Kiosks to sample local food and drink at the series of local eateries. Although not the fanciest of establishments (it’s basically a series of kiosks!), you can find some delicious and authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and beverages. We enjoyed a Piña Colada from one of the kiosks as well as a tasty Mojito from the Mojiito Lab and some local dishes all enjoyed by the beach. It was an enjoyable afternoon after exploring the rainforest.
Entrance to the Bacardi Rum Tour
Tasting Bacardi Reserva Limitada
And last, but certainly not least, The Bacardi Tour. The Bacardi brand of rums is probably one of the best known brands in the world and although some discount it due to its mass production, Bacardi does have a few delicious premium rums in addition to its very popular mixing rums. At its tour location, Casa Bacardi, across the bay from Old San Juan, there is a choice of three experiences: the historical tour, the rum tasting tour and a mixology class. We participated in the historical tour many years ago and found it to be informative about the brand and its history – and of course enjoyed the cocktail served at the outdoor Bat Bar Pavilion. Find out more about booking a tour here.
Do you want to try good sipping rums from Puerto Rico? We would recommend trying Ron Del Barrilito 3 Star, Don Q Gran Añejo, Trigo Reserva Añeja and Bacardi Reserva Limitada.
Are you thirsty for a Piña Colada now? Here’s a delicious recipe to try: The Best Piña Colada.
Have you enjoyed a rum experience in Puerto Rico that you’d like to share? Let us know – we’re already making a list of what to see and do for our next PR visit! Cheers!
If you’re a rum lover, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy fantastic rums on the beautiful island of Barbados. We’ve traveled many places in the Caribbean, but we felt like we were in rum heaven during our time on the island!
We had a list of distilleries to experience and St. Nicholas Abbey was certainly one of them. Their small batch rum is highly rated and currently only available for purchase at the distillery (and a few select online retailers). Located on the lush northeast side of the island, St. Nicholas Abbey offers tours that include a walk through a beautiful Jacobean mansion that dates back to 1658 – one of the few left in the Western hemishpere, the sugar plantation, and the rum distillery – including a rum tasting.
We rented a car for our time on Barbados and aside from finding ourselves hopelessly lost in Bridgetown a few times (a big thank you to the kind residents that helped us find our way), we were glad we had the flexibility to explore a lot of the island. The drive to St. Nicholas Abbey was a pretty drive, albeit a little challenging to find due to a conspicous lack of signage on the entire island. Once we got our bearings, we started to notice rolling fields of sugarcane dotted with homes and farms. As we approached St. Nicholas Abbey, a mischievous pair of monkeys ran across the road, jumping into a tree next to the road and watched as we passed.
Finally spotting a sign for St. Nicholas Abbey, we turned on to the long entry lined with Mahogany trees creating a canopy over us. We parked and strolled up to the mansion.
The St. Nicholas Abbey Mansion
We were just in time to join a tour, payed our entrance fee – Adults (13 and over): BBD $45, US $23, and joined the tour of the mansion, which was fascinating in its entirety, but we were especially amused by “the crapper”.
The mansion dining roomLiving room
Next, we were taken to a beautiful shaded area between the mansion and rum tour where we were treated to a glass of rum punch.
We then viewed a short historical movie taken by the grandfather of the owner as the family left Europe and made their way to to Barbados by ship in the 1930’s and their early years in Barbados. The short movie was fascinating and gave us some insight into the beginnings of St. Nicholas Abbey.
Simon Warren leading a St. Nicholas Abbey Rum Tasting
Then, it was time to taste the rum. Simon Warren, son of owners Larry & Anna Warren who purchased St. Nicholas Abbey in 2006 in order to preserve it as a part of the island’s rich heritage, gave an informative tasting, injected with his signature dry humor, and included samples of both their award winning white rum and their 5 year old rum – made from their white rum and aged in old bourbon barrels that previously contained their longer aged molasses rums. We really enjoyed both. A sip of their 12 year molasses based rum, created from a rum base purchased from another Barbados distillery, Foursquare, to help launch the St. Nicholas Abbey aged rums, put us over the top.
The 5 and 12 year
We knew we had to take some home and purchased the 5 and 12 year, both in beautiful etched bottles that are in themselves works of art. They offer free engraving, so we had our 12 year bottle engraved.
Annabelle, the St. Nicholas Abbey copper pot still
After chatting a while with Simon, who is extremely personable and knowledgeable about rum and the distilling process, we strolled through the expansive plantation, stopping to visit the small bottling house and then Annabelle, their copper hybrid pot/column still!
As if all of that isn’t enough to make you want to visit St. Nicholas Abbey on your next trip to Barbados, a new attraction just opened; The Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway – an exciting family attraction now part of St. Nicholas Abbey Great House Plantation and Distillery. It’s a steam locomotive journey through the plantation fields and mahogany woods culminating with the expansive highland view of the east coast of the island from Cherry Tree Hill. Read the story of the St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway here.
A walk through the St. Nicholas Abbey Rum Packaging Room, Barbados
We really enjoyed our time at St. Nicholas Abbey. Once we run out of our current stock of St. Nicholas Abbey rum, we’ll have to go back to re-stock, chat with Simon some more and check out the new train ride. Cheers!
To find out more about the tour and St. Nicholas Abbey rums, check out their website, Facebook page, and Instagram page.
