Post #762485 by Hurricane Hayward on Sat, Apr 16, 2016 11:04 AM

Another new blog on the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival:

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2016/04/16/miami-rum-festival-boldly-explores-the-next-frontier-of-cane-spirits/

In preparation for this weekend's grand tastings, I posted a full recap of the 2015 festival, including my favorite rums and cocktails ...

Miami Rum Festival boldly explores the next frontier of cane spirits

If there was an unofficial theme of the 2015 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, held April 17-19 at the Doubletree by Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center, it was the impressive innovation and continuing commitment to quality from a new wave of craft rum producers from around the world. In a year when some major players were absent, the young guns definitely picked up the slack and presented products fit for any rum connoisseur.

Bryan Davis (left) and Joanne Haruta of Lost Spirits Distillery won a gold medal in the overproof category for their Colonial American Inspired Rum. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The festival was less about the big brands flexing their muscle and more about the boutique labels showing off their innovation and commitment to craft. This is the typical scenario at the annual Rum XP Awards, but it’s now overflowing to the convention floor, where consumers had the opportunity to see firsthand what the critics and judges have long known.

There's also a photo gallery:
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2016/04/16/miami-rum-festival-boldly-explores-the-next-frontier-of-cane-spirits/#photos

And a link to all of last year's award-winners ...
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2016/04/16/miami-rum-festival-boldly-explores-the-next-frontier-of-cane-spirits/#rum-winners

Plus, there's a bonus recipe for the cocktail I created in the seminar "How to Elevate Your Home Bar," hosted by members of the Gumbo Limbo chapter of the Fraternal Order of Moai. It's a tribute to the FOM, The Mai-Kai, the Barney West moai that still stands outside, and the wedding of Mike and Chelsea (which fell during the rum fest).
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=49149&forum=1
The drink is designed to be served in the mug created by Tiki Diablo (based on the Barney West moai) that was given to the wedding guests.

The Mai-Kai Moai

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2016/04/16/miami-rum-festival-boldly-explores-the-next-frontier-of-cane-spirits/#Mai-Kai-Moai

Okole maluna!