The Rum Lab

Zavvy is proud to present the 2021 New York Rum Festival. 

The 4th New York Rum Festival will be held at Metropolitan Pavilion, New York City. We know it's not always easy (or possible) to travel to events in person, so Zavvy has you covered. For the first time, you'll be able to attend the festival virtually with us via livestream. 

Patrons will have the opportunity to virtually attend either the...

1. The Seminar Room (Starting at 2:30 pm-ish EST)
   
   
2. Grand Tasting Room with your host Will Hoekenga (Starting at 4pm-ish EST)

Instructions: 

1. Log in to your Patreon Account and/or Crowdcast Account. Make sure your Patreon Account is the same as your Crowdcast Account.  Or whichever way you usually log in as a Patron to watch Zavvy content on Crowdcast.
   
   
2. Once you log into the the event, you will see the option to click a schedule on the upper left side of the screen. Click the schedule and then select whether you'd like to join the Seminar Room or the Grand Tasting Room. Feel free to change at any time.

Topic: Rones de Guatemala | History, Traditions & Sustainability

Guest: Alexandra Alfaro - Marketing Manager

What You'll Learn: 

Guatemalan lands have characteristics that make them unique, such as vertisol soil, which is only found in 2% of the earth's surface.

The productive area of the Protected Denomination of Origin of Rum of Guatemala is located on the South Coast of Guatemala, in the departments of Retalhuleu and Suchitepéquez, within the heart of the sugarcane-sugar zone.

The Rum of Guatemala is produced only using "virgin sugar cane honey" as raw material. Living up to its name, this syrup-like liquid is delicious, sweet and has a pleasant flavor.

Virgin sugar cane honey is the product of pressing ripe cane. The juice obtained from the milling is heated, clarified and filtered to eliminate the solid cane remains that may have remained in suspension. Finally, the clean juice is subjected to evaporation to remove excess water and center the sugars.

Only 3% of the world's rums are made with pure sugar cane juice.

During the livestream Alexandra will teach us about Rones de Guatemala. 

Topic: Montanya Next Gen | Original & New Distillery Tour

Guest: Karen Hoskin - Founder / Owner 

What You'll Learn: 

Since 2008, Montanya Rums have earned 29 gold, silver and double-gold medals, including “Best Rum in the World” at the World Rum Awards and “USA Rum of the Year” at the Berlin International Spirits Competition. We think the secret to our rum’s success lies in the quality, American ingredients in every bottle and our commitment to time-honored, high-mountain traditions.

American Made with American Ingredients

• DISTILLED, AGED, AND BOTTLED IN CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO
• MADE WITH LOUISIANA SUGAR CANE GROWN BY FAMILIES WE KNOW PERSONALLY AND LOVE GREATLY
• BOTTLED WITH WATER FROM A SNOWMELT-FED AQUIFER RIGHT BELOW THE BARREL HOUSE AND BOTTLING FACILITY
• FINISHED WITH THE TINIEST* TOUCH OF COLORADO HONEY 

During the following livestream - Karen will take us on a virtual distillery tour. 

Topic: Visiting Australia - Milton Rum Distillery

What You'll Learn: 

The Milton Rum team is a small community of passionate distillers, producers and rum-lovers working together to reimagine rum and create a world worth inheriting. We aim to bring a fresh approach to the Australian rum scene by producing craft spirits with a unique mix of traditional distillation techniques and the latest innovations. Sustainability, quality and creativity guide every step of our process as we work to create spirit to excite and inspire a new age of rum drinkers.

In March 1890, the fledgling city of Brisbane was in mourning. Unprecedented flood waters had inundated the riverside suburbs to a depth of more than three meters, the electricity and telegraph lines were destroyed, hundreds of homes were underwater, and multiple residents has drowned. The Milton Rum Distillery, then one of Queensland’s largest rum producers, never reopened, and no rum was produced in Milton for over a hundred years.

Fast forward a few generations and Milton Rum has awakened, fueled by fresh passion and a vibrant desire to reimagine rum. Our urban distillery sits only a few blocks from where the original Milton Rum Distillery once stood and we are honoured to have inherited a rich tradition of innovation and quality rum production. Our crest, the Eastern Koel bird, is a shout-out to our city’s colourful history. The Eastern Koel, also known as the ‘storm bird,’ was said to fly ahead of rising flood waters, warning residents of the danger to come. We would like to think that our Storm Bird flies above us today.

Topic: St Nicholas Abbey Distillery - Virtual Tour | Barbados

What You'll Learn: 

St. Nicholas Abbey’s 350-year history is filled with colourful tales of murder, love and intrigue; its owners have played pivotal roles in both Barbadian and American history. 

THE WARREN FAMILY

James Petri, the last owner within the Cave Family, sold the property to its current owners, renowned Barbadian architect Larry Warren and his wife, Anna, in 2006.  The Warrens purchased the property in order to preserve it as a part of the island’s rich heritage. 

Larry, Anna and their sons, Simon and Shae, have overseen a meticulous restoration of the property as an operating sugar plantation.

During the following livestream - Simon will take us on a virtual distillery tour. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: What I learned when visiting Flor de Caña Distillery and Sugar Mill

\What You'll Learn: 

Recently on June 3 & 4, 2021, I had the opportunity to visit the Flor de Caña Rum Distillery and Sugar Mill.  My phone was fully charged,  I recorded as much as possible. At no time anything was hidden from me, which was really cool. If I asked to see something in the distillery, they would take me there. During the Livestream we will see all the videos, plus have Mauricio Solorzano and Luis Baez (Both Global Brand Ambassadors) attend for all Q&A's. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Understanding Agricole Rhum with Depaz Rhum brand Ambassador Benoît Bail

\What You'll Learn: 

Rhum Depaz are a rum brand and distillery from the French speaking island of Martinique. As a result most (but not all) of their rhums follow the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee) Martinique.

The AOC is series of rules and regulations which producers much adhere to in order to produce rhum which is then accredited with an AOC certificate. (FatRumPirate) 

Join Benoît Bail and Federico Hernandez as they discuss different topics of the Martinique Agricole Rhum industry. 

Topic: Clarendon Distillery Virtual Tour

Guest:  Mrs. Martha Miller CEO of National Rums of Jamaica

What You'll Learn: The Clarendon Distillery, home to Monymusk, was built in Jamaica on 1949, making it a very recent addition to rum production. The original building still houses the distillery’s two pot stills and the corresponding fermentation tanks but the complex has been expanded enormously over time. The older still has a capacity of 20,000 litres while the newer, indian manufactured still can carry 25,000 litres, making it possibly the biggest pot still in the Caribbean.  Martha Miller will take us on a great virtual adventure. See you soon. 

Topic: Making RUM in the UK - The Portsmouth Distillery Co.

Guest:  Vince Noyce - Head Distiller 

What You'll Learn: The Portsmouth Distillery Co. is a premium artisan spirit producer. Established in 2018, our home is in the fabulous eighteenth century Bastian of Fort Cumberland. Located on the southeastern tip of Portsea Island – surrounded by the Sea and Centuries of naval history. Our distillery is within the eighteenth century Fort Cumberland, an Historic England property.

We’re playing our part in the revival of the site by refurbishing 7 casements and an ancient powder casement that once stored Naval weaponry, winning The Portsmouth Society award for “Best Re-use of an Historic building-2019”. 

Topic: Cruzan Rum Distillery Virtual Tour

Guest:  Gary Nelthropp - Master Distiller

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab will be virtually visiting Cruzan Rum Distillery at the USVI. Gary Nelthropp - Master Distiller will teach us about the distillery and expressions. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Live from Hawaii - Kō Hana Distillers In-Depth Tour

Guest:  Kyle Reutner - General Manager

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab will be filming live from Kō Hana Distillers. The plan is to have an in-depth presentation of the distillery and each expression with Kyle Reutner 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Becoming an Official Rummelier

Guest:  Greg Hill - Master Rummelier® at Royal Rum Society

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab will interview Greg Hill about the importance of understanding not only about rum but how to educate others, the reason for a "certification" program. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Saint James Rhum Distillery Virtual Tour

Guest:  

-  Marc Sassier - Oenologist for Saint James + President of the A.O.C. Rhum Agricole Martinique

-Donatien FERRARI (Communication Manager) 

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab will visiting the Saint James Rhum Distillery in Martinique. The event will be hosted with  Marc Sassier - Oenologist for Saint James + President of the A.O.C. Rhum Agricole Martinique AND  Donatien FERRARI (Communication Manager) 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Virtual Distillery Tour at Mexico's Uruapan Charanda Distillery

Guest:  Miriam Pacheco - GM

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab will travelling to Mexico to visit the Distillery that makes the acclaimed Uruapan Charanda de Mexico. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Aged Excellence: the Legacy of Rhum Clément

Guest:  Audrey Bruisson (Marketing Manager) & Robert Peronet (Cellar Master) 

What You'll Learn: Join Audrey Bruisson (Marketing Manager) & Robert Peronet (Cellar Master) as they talk with Federico Hernandez about Legacies of Rhum Clement and its Excellence Aging tradition and techniques. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: It all starts with the local sugarcane - Ziami Rum Distillery Tour

Guest #1: Victor Olshansky- CEO

What You'll Learn: Victor and an old army buddy toyed with the idea of making their own rum. Fast Forward Ziami Rum Distillery was created in South Florida with the principal of using local sugarcane. During this presentation, Mr. Olshansky will give a tour of the distillery and talk about the creation of Ziami. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: St Lucia distillery - Art of blending & Distillery Tour

Guest #1: Margaret Monplaisir - CEO

Guest #2: Ian John - Master Distiller & Quality Systems Manager 

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab.com will visiting for the 1st time a St Lucia Distillery and talking about the Art of blending with Margaret Monplaisir - CEO and  Ian John - Master Distiller & Quality Systems Manager. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: The uniqueness of El Dorado Rum 25yr Old Old GRAND SPECIAL RESERVE

Guest Speaker:  

• Jodi Curtis | USA National Brand Ambassador 

What You'll Learn: TheRumLab.com will be releasing its newest Info-Graphic = El Dorado Rum 25yr Old Old GRAND SPECIAL RESERVE. This expression was "Created to mark the turn of the millennium, El Dorado 25 Year Old Grand Special Reserve possesses a silky smoothness which challenges the oldest cognac. The constant ambient warmth and tropical conditions of Demerara dramatically hasten the maturation process. An after dinner treat for sipping slowly and sparingly." Jodi Curtis - USA Brand Ambassador for DDL will guide and explain elements of the infographic. 

Topic: Rhum J.M Distillery Tour w/ Karine Lassalle | Rhum J.M - Master Blender

Guest Speaker:  

• Karine Lassalle | Rhum J.M - Master Blender

What You'll Learn: The Rhum J.M Distillery was founded in 1845 and is located in Le Macouba at the base of Mount Pelee, an active volcano on the northernmost tip of Martinique. Karine Lassalle (Rhum J.M - Master Blender) will give us a sneak peak of the famous Rhum J.M Distillery. We hope to be able to view the fermentation rooms, stills, age-ing warehouse, bottling station, and more.

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.   

Topic: Conversations with Ron Brugal Master Distiller 

Guest Speaker:  

• Jassil Villanueva | Master Distiller at Ron Brugal

What You'll Learn: Jassil Villanueva has been getting a lot of attention recently as one of the youngest Maestros Roneros and the Dominican Republic’s first female Master Rum Maker. At TheRumLab we are honored to have Brugal Maestro Ronero, Jassil, join us and share her story. During our hour long discussion we will talk about her journey and career and what is means to be a Brugal Maestro Ronero. 

Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.