Florida Archives | Rum Therapy

It takes cojones to start the party.

We were recently contacted to find out if we would be interested in learning more about a new rum called Rumcojones. I must say it’s been a pleasure. Rumcojones was created to be the best tasting cinnamon rum on the market. The product was just recently launched in January of 2020 and is already expanding into new markets. We talked to the owners to find out more about them, the concept and the rum. This is what we learned.

*This post is sponsored by Rumcojones, but any reviews and opinions expressed in this post are ours based on our experience with this product.

It Takes Cojones to Quit your Job and Start a Business.

About the Owners/Creators

We are 4 Tampa local guys with a diverse experience in the fields of engineering, information, and marketing in the food and beverage industry in the US and South America. None of us have less than 20 years of experience in the field. Basically the 4 of us are immigrants from Cuba and Venezuela with a positive message that “it takes cojones to do the right things”. Although we are selling rum, we didn’t want to be another pirate with a cannon ball and a secret map drinking in a Caribbean tiki bar. We wanted to stay away from the pirate theme and focus on a real sipping experience; smooth and with a hot cinnamon burn insinuating a positive attitude toward life. Nothing that we get in this life should be taken for granted, no one is going to do it for you, and if you really want something, no matter what it is, you’ve got to have cojones and go get it.

The Concept

Rumcojones was created to be the best tasting cinnamon rum in the market. That play in the words “Rum” and the Spanish slang word “Cojones” embodies the qualities of being courageous and having nerves of steel. Rumcojones is crafted from a proprietary wash made of sugarcane molasses. This nutrient-rich blend of unsulfured molasses feeds a unique yeast strain and is fermented. The basic ingredients are sourced primarily from Florida.

We have been working to develop Rumcojones for the past 3 years. Conceptualization and formulation were the main time consuming aspects. We did over 25 formulas then tested them through blind tastings in Florida with over 575 end users or consumers at different demographic liquor stores and focus groups. We wanted to find out through research what could be the key element that would make Rumcojones unique. There are many spiced rums but no cinnamon rum available with this taste profile in the rum category.

It Takes Cojones to Drink Responsibly.

The Rum

We decided that the product needed to be less sweet compared to similar flavored spirits in the market. Rumcojones turned out to have a 24-25 Brix versus similar products that are over 31-32 Brix and even higher, meaning that we have a product with less sugar and a smoother taste. Another important aspect is that we do not use High Fructose Corn Syrup or Propylene Glycol, we use pure cane sugar and vegetable glycerin.

Rumcojones is crafted from a proprietary wash made of sugarcane molasses. This nutrient-rich blend of unsulfured molasses feeds a unique yeast strain and is fermented. The basic ingredients are sourced primarily from Florida. The rum is distilled from sugar cane molasses and bottled in New Port Richey FL.

The final distilled rum blend is 100% column still pure rum. Column still rum is crucial in blending natural cinnamon oil into the rum. The ideal starting material is key in creating the smoothest tasting rum. Natural flavors are derived from cinnamon oils and used to deliver that characteristic smooth burn, creating an impeccably balanced rum.

How to Enjoy Rum Cojones

Enjoy Rumcojones neat, as a cold shot and in your favorite cocktails. Check out a few recipes for Rumcojones from their website here. Also, check out the Creamy Cojones Cocktail below.

As we taste tested Rumcojones, we sampled it neat, over one ice cube and with a splash of apple juice. All were very good. Additionally, we created a recipe incorporating Rumcojones and other ingredients that we imagined would be complimentary such as apple juice, cream and caramel and called it the Creamy Cojones Cocktail. Definitely an adult treat! Find the recipe here: Creamy Cojones Cocktail.

Where to Find Rumcojones

Currently Rumcojones is available in liquor stores in Miami, Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando, as well as online at Caskers and Luekens Liquors. Additionally, Rumcojones will soon be available in Austin, TX and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Takeaways

We found Rumcojones to be enjoyable, versatile and smooth. It’s versatile in that it can be sipped neat or with a splash of apple juice or used in a variety of cocktails. The smooth cinnamon taste is invigorating. It will make a welcomed addition to our rum cabinet!

Find out more about Rumcojones by visiting their website, Facebook and Instagram.

The drum circle crowd begins to gather late in the afternoon every Sunday on Siesta Key. The day we joined them, there were not only drummers, but other percussionists, dancers, hula-hoopers, rope walkers, sun-lovers and spectators all assembled to welcome the sunset.

The beach had been super crowded that day and we were hungry, so decided to give up our parking spot to head back to town for dinner. Surely, we thought, there would be lots of parking in the public beach lot after the Sunday beach-goers left for the day? Well, we were wrong. This is a popular event!

We did finally find a parking spot after stalking some people who had packed up for the day and were walking back to their car. Siesta Key is a large, beautiful beach and we originally worried that we wouldn’t find the drum circle, which takes place every Sunday night until sunset – but our worries were unfounded.

We just followed the pulsating sound of drums and the steady stream of people – many carrying their own drums and rhythm instruments to the beach.

Initially we just walked around, taking in the steady rhythm and watching people dance, play and socialize to the beat.

But as the sunset got closer, we found ourselves relaxing in the sugar-soft sand – our eyes affixed at the ever growing colors of the sunset.

Strange? Hmmm, maybe a bit. There were a lot of colorful characters enjoying the event, but after a while you begin to feel a part of it and may even find yourself get up, let go and dance like no one’s watching or add to the music with your own rhythm instrument.

Enjoyable? Yes, and well worth the effort to find parking. Relaxing? Absolutely. Watching the sun set to the beat of the Siesta Key Drum Circle was just perfect. This event, which initially began as a local, non-sponsored event, has taken on a life of its own and is well worth witnessing. It was a beautiful end to a beautiful weekend on Siesta Key.

Have you been to the Siesta Key Drum Circle? Tell us about it!

Tag: Florida

Rumcojones, Original Cinnamon Rum