Lemon Hart 151 is coming back ... AGAIN! - Tiki Drinks and Food

R RumScrummager Member Ft. Lauderdale Joined: Aug 19, 2016 Posts: 29	R RumScrummager Posted posted on Wed, Jan 25, 2017 12:34 PM Bacardi 151 won't be too sorely missed, however, it is interesting to note how judicial activism and greed played a major role in its imminent demise; the product had not only gained an abhorrent reputation with Tiki and the craft cocktail community at large, but was mercilessly being abused and misused by almost everyone. Remember, Bacardi is still a privately-held, family-owned company which really irks the other big multinational liquor houses who have all been bastardized over the years in the name of greed. While Bacardi’s revenue growth has slowed recently, the brand is concentrating on building its portfolio up of ‘other’ products. All in all, it is a shame that Bacardi was forced to vacate the 151-proof market at a time where its growth potential is greater than it ever was before; we even have bars opening up now called ‘Navy Strength’ and ‘Overproof’ for goodness sakes. However, having a product being entirely associated with ‘ignition’ and not ‘consumption’ was always going to be a huge liability – not least now while Bacardi is still yet to duke it out in court with Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government over Havana Club. NOTE: Stroh 80, Austria’s version of Bacardi 151 (albeit much more flammable) were smart to re-brand in North America as ‘Stroh 160’ (more confusing, right?) and promote the product as a so-called ‘spiced rum,’ (which its not) which opened it up to being a shooter as well as a premium mixer which could be embraced by the craft cocktail community. Still, the product is even more deadly than Bacardi 151 ever was, but is not regarded as such. Again, perception always becomes reality. Ps. My last remaining bottle of Bacardi 151 (which I've been safekeeping for the last 6 months) will be kept (unopened) for posterity. If you see one at your local liquor store, be sure to pick it up just for the heck of it. The more 'recent' bottles feature all the silly fire safety notices etc, whereas the older bottles might be considered more collectible.

Bacardi 151 won't be too sorely missed, however, it is interesting to note how judicial activism and greed played a major role in its imminent demise; the product had not only gained an abhorrent reputation with Tiki and the craft cocktail community at large, but was mercilessly being abused and misused by almost everyone.

Remember, Bacardi is still a privately-held, family-owned company which really irks the other big multinational liquor houses who have all been bastardized over the years in the name of greed. While Bacardi’s revenue growth has slowed recently, the brand is concentrating on building its portfolio up of ‘other’ products.

All in all, it is a shame that Bacardi was forced to vacate the 151-proof market at a time where its growth potential is greater than it ever was before; we even have bars opening up now called ‘Navy Strength’ and ‘Overproof’ for goodness sakes. However, having a product being entirely associated with ‘ignition’ and not ‘consumption’ was always going to be a huge liability – not least now while Bacardi is still yet to duke it out in court with Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government over Havana Club.

NOTE: Stroh 80, Austria’s version of Bacardi 151 (albeit much more flammable) were smart to re-brand in North America as ‘Stroh 160’ (more confusing, right?) and promote the product as a so-called ‘spiced rum,’ (which its not) which opened it up to being a shooter as well as a premium mixer which could be embraced by the craft cocktail community. Still, the product is even more deadly than Bacardi 151 ever was, but is not regarded as such. Again, perception always becomes reality.

Ps. My last remaining bottle of Bacardi 151 (which I've been safekeeping for the last 6 months) will be kept (unopened) for posterity. If you see one at your local liquor store, be sure to pick it up just for the heck of it. The more 'recent' bottles feature all the silly fire safety notices etc, whereas the older bottles might be considered more collectible.

Post #772417 by RumScrummager on Wed, Jan 25, 2017 12:34 PM