Slate.com article:

T Thomas Member Lake Mojave Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 372	T Thomas Posted posted on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 9:47 AM http://www.slate.com/id/2300068/ Beyond simple quality, one factor driving increased aged-rum interest is the more general boom in high-quality cocktails. Bartenders looking for new ingredients are discovering there's more to rum than they thought, and whole bars are adopting rum themes, looking to cash in on the tiki-drink revival. Jean Georges, a master blender at Angostura (the same company that makes those legendary bitters) believes many of his new customers first taste his products on vacation. Apparently, a new breed of Caribbean vacationers expects more from their travels than reggae cover bands. They're seeking out more "authentic" experiences and tastes, including the region's aged rum. Visitors spend a week in the Caribbean enjoying quality rum at excellent prices and refuse to settle for Bacardi after they get home. **

http://www.slate.com/id/2300068/
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Beyond simple quality, one factor driving increased aged-rum interest is the more general boom in high-quality cocktails. Bartenders looking for new ingredients are discovering there's more to rum than they thought, and whole bars are adopting rum themes, looking to cash in on the tiki-drink revival.
**
Jean Georges, a master blender at Angostura (the same company that makes those legendary bitters) believes many of his new customers first taste his products on vacation. Apparently, a new breed of Caribbean vacationers expects more from their travels than reggae cover bands. They're seeking out more "authentic" experiences and tastes, including the region's aged rum. Visitors spend a week in the Caribbean enjoying quality rum at excellent prices and refuse to settle for Bacardi after they get home.
**

Post #599442 by Thomas on Wed, Jul 27, 2011 9:47 AM