Post #733617 by bigbrotiki on Mon, Dec 22, 2014 10:40 AM

On 2014-12-21 23:58, Hurricane Hayward wrote:
No joke, I actually heard Guy recently utter the words "righteous oxtail." But, come to think of it, that could be a cool name for a band.

Back on topic, here's some more recent hand-wringing in the press:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/20/havana-club-import-us-cuba-puerto-rico
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/19/why-congress-hates-your-cuban-rum.html

What a crazy, convoluted story! One wonders what is left of the original formula at this point, with the founders on the mainland, and the Cuban company in the hands of a big worldwide liquor conglomerate.

But in a way, it reflects the whole crazy history of Cuba, which in the 20th Century became a play ball of the world powers. The resulting idiosyncrasies, experienced daily on the island, are best answered with what became our standard reaction: " This is Cuba, Mister!" and a shrug of the shoulders

Nevertheless, it is a fun afternoon to take the tour of the Havana Club rum museum, with a complete step by step evolution from sugar cane to giant vats of molasses to the final distillation - and a little rum tasting in the adjacent bar:

Old copies of a bartender periodical:

The tiled floor of the bar:

Cuban rum is perhaps best enjoyed in a Daiquiri - which one of course best takes at the La Floridita bar :) :

(…but beware of the European tourist busses that herd them in and out within 10 minutes)

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2014-12-22 10:41 ]