125: Our Top 6 Rum Predictions for 2025 (Plus Grading Our 2024 Predictions)
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.It's that time of the year again! Per our annual tradition, we each make three predictions for the world of rum in 2025 — from types of releases, to specific distillery developments, to broader trends that may impact rum enthusiasts, and beyond! And of course we also revisit our predictions from last year to see how close we came.Have a listen and then let us know what your predictions are!
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124: The Future of the Jamaica Rum GI with Christopher Gentles, GM of the Spirits Pool Association
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.In this episode we get an inside look at the status and future of the Jamaica Rum GI (Geographic Indicator) with Christopher Gentles, general manager of the organization championing the GI (and doing other interesting things), Jamaica's Spirits Pool Association.If you're a fan of Jamaican rum, this interview is a must-listen.We discuss:National Rums of Jamaica's legal challenge to the GIWhat rum enthusiasts can expect to happen nextWhy the GI is important to Jamaican rumThe debates over aging at origin and adding sugarCreating a tasting panel for Jamaican rum marksThe evolution of the Jamaican rum category in recent yearsAnd much more!Note: After the recording of this episode, the Jamaica Gleaner reported that National Rums of Jamaica has accused other producers of Jamaican rum involved in the GI of anti-competitive practices and sought help from the Jamaica Fair Trading Commission.If you want a deeper look at the Jamaica Rum GI, check out these articles:Jamaica Observer: Court battle over ‘Jamaica rum’ unfortunate, says Jimmy Lawrence; NRJ argues litigation necessary as JIPO erred in GI designationThe Gleaner: New GI rum rules bar aging outside of JamaicaRum Wonk: Jamaica's Rum GI Changes - Overview and AnalysisRum Revelations: Jamaica GI Rumblings with a French Twist
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123: The Rumcast Single Cask Project Part 2: Name Update + Bottle Possibilities
Click here to watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to our channel!Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.In the second installment of our Rumcast Single Cask Project series, we decide on a name for the brand and debate bottle designs ahead of our trip to Main Rum Company at the end of January.You can view the bottles in our bottles spreadsheet here.Like we mention in the intro, if you or someone you know has label design skills and is interested in collaborating (and knows the rum world), send us an email at [email protected]!As a reminder, this episode is part of an ongoing series in which we take you along with us as we purchase a barrel of rum and do our first single cask release. If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here.
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122: 2024 Favorites: Our Top Rums, Distilleries, and Bottlers of the Year
Click here to watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to our channel!Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.Happy holidays and New Year (in advance), everyone!In our fifth (!) annual Year in Review episode we take a look back at our favorite rums of the year in the following categories:Unaged molasses rumUnaged cane juice rumAged rum (5 years or less)Aged rum (Over 5 years)“New to me” rumBest value rumMost surprising rumOverall rumPlus, we each throw in picks for Distillery of the Year and Bottler of the Year, along with another round of "Am I the a**hole for being lower on this rum?" and another classic rum-themed holiday tune from John Gulla.Have a listen, and let us know your favorites in these categories from the past year! Also, what did we miss? What were we too high or low on? We'd love to hear your takes.The List (Spoilers Ahead!)...........Unaged Rum (Molasses):Will: Pelée’s Fury Martinique Grand Arôme Rum from Raising GlassesJohn: Pelée’s Fury Martinique Grand Arôme Rum from Raising GlassesUnaged Rum (Cane Juice):Will: Alambique Serrano — Cartier 30John: Alambique Serrano — Cartier 30Aged Rum (5 Years or Less):Will: Hampden Estate Great House 2024John: Ghana 2020 from Down Island SpiritsAged Rum (Over 5 Years):Will: Fiji 2012 Flag Series Rum from La Maison & VelierJohn: Cambodia 2016 Flag Series Rum from La Maison & Velier“New to Me” Rum:Will: O Reizinho Limited Edition White RumJohn: The category of UK RumValue Rum:Will: Shakara 12-YearJohn: Shakara 12-YearMost Surprising Rum:Will: Unaged Rum from Line 44 DistilleryJohn: Ten To One Five Origin Select“Am I the A**hole?" Rum:Will: El Dorado High Ester BlendJohn: El Dorado High Ester BlendOverall Rum:Will: Alambique Serrano Blend #3: MatadiabloJohn: Fiji 2012 Flag Series Rum from La Maison & VelierDistillery of the Year:Will: Krassel Family Distillery (Alambique Serrano / Cañada)John: Krassel Family Distillery (Alambique Serrano / Cañada)Bottler of the Year:Will: Raising GlassesJohn: La Maison & Velier
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Semi-Blind Rum Review #8: Swell de Spirits Réunion Rhum Agricole 2011 (Isautier)
Click here to watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe to our channel!Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.We're back with another entry in our semi-blind reviews series — but yet again with a twist! In this mystery sample edition, both of us have no idea what the identity of this rum is as we review it. Along the way, we offer our best guesses as to the rum's origin and key characteristics.This time, it's a 13-year-old rhum agricole from Isautier Distillery in Réunion Island bottled by Swell de Spirits.Rum specs:Bottler: Swell de SpiritsOrigin: Réunion IslandDistillery: IsautierBase material: Cane juiceDistillation: ColumnAge: 13 yearsCask: Ex-CognacABV: 59.4%A special thank you to Rumcast patron Ben for providing the mystery sample.
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