Post #331921 by Scottes on Tue, Sep 11, 2007 7:03 PM

Well, I've got the list of rums nailed down. After discussing things with Bargoyle, I decided to take a tiki-centric angle to this tasting. So I did a bunch of research today in work (don't tell), a bunch of thinking, and then hit the Beachbum's books, my Trader Vic book, and my Donn The Beachcomber book. After all this, I lined up an assortment of rums to help explore the history of rums used in tiki drinks. A few non-tiki rums are mixed in that will walk us through the history of rum and hopefully help understand the choices made by the old great tiki bartenders.

Finally, at the end, we'll taste a number of rums which are not tiki at all but are some spectacular rums chosen to show what can be done with a bit of molasses, the right yeast, the right barrel, and the Caribbean climate.

Right now the list is 14 rums long, and may grow to 15.

The general outline of the tasting:

I'll begin by passing out some papers with key information. Choice articles on rum, important web sites, book recommendations, notes on tastes that can be found in rum, a sheet for scratching down tasting notes for each of the rums, and a "cheat sheet" of what tastes you might find in each particular rum.

We'll then explore some history of sugar cane, its impact on the islands, the "discovery" of fermented molasses, and the impact of THAT on the islands and New England. We'll explore some of the processes involved in making rum - making sugar, fermenting the molasses, distillation methods, aging methods and blending. And then we'll discuss my opinions on how to taste rum, the effects of ice and water and time and the glass.

We'll then begin to taste rum.

Each rum will be approached with some interesting history and factoids, and some understanding (and hypotheses) on its impact on tiki drinks. The rums will be tasted in an order that builds knowledge, both for the brain and the taste buds.

Amongst all these rums I will digress quite often, since I'm known to do that, and it will be entertaining since I'm full of useless cra... trivia.

Finally, at the end, we'll sip some premium rums while exploring the aging process - particularly the casks and their effects on the rum, but we'll once again discuss different aging and blending methods.

And then, subject to the mercy of Onkonkuluku University, everyone will be awarded certificates establishing their credentials in the mysterious science of Rumology.

And the Bargoyle will make us all Spindrifts....