Interview with the Crocomec
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Topic: 2020 Limited Edition Rums Worth Noting
Guest Speaker:
- Eric Kaye
- Pete Nevenglosky
- Federico Hernandez
- Benedicte Hardy
- Bailey Pryor
- Craig Schoettler
What You'll Learn: Few rums that have been launched in 2020 are a must try + must have. The following panelist share and debate with their fellow friends, their recommendations.
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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.
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Topic: Spiribam 1 firm, 3 islands, 7 rums
Guest Speaker: Aurelie Kalifa - Export Manager
What You'll Learn: Many of us don't know that GBH is the parent company of spirit company SPIRIBAM. SPIRIBAM owns 7 rum brands that are produced between 3 islands. Aurelie, who's the Export Manager, will give us a high level introduction of her responsibilities and the companies goals in the rhum industry.
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Topic: Rum - African enslavement, Taino genocide, and colonization
Guest Speaker: Kelvin Uffre - Spirits Specialist
What You’ll Learn:
I’ve worked in the beverage industry for about 17 years, starting in Dive bars to spots like the James beard award winning Maison Premiere and Olmsted. Currently I’m the Spirits Specialist for Winebow in NY, NJ and CT. I oversee a sales team of about 87 people. My role is mainly to educate, critically analyze new potential brands and create sales strategy.
I’m a Dominican immigrant how came here at age 5 and became a citizen at age 11. Because of my experience being brown in majority white industry my story is from the perspective of constant subjugation, subordination and having to push twice as hard to make it where I am today.
I recently wrote a historical feature on the white supremacy of the spirits industry which interrogated how white supremacy controls what stories are told and how. It draws a historical thread from producer to cocktail bar.
When I teach about spirits I always try to teach from a cultural framework as much as possible, it’s my belief that those that suffered the oppression that gave birth to the spirits in the first place should be the authors and storytellers of those experiences.
We cannot talk about rum with out talking about African enslavement, Taino genocide and colonization. Experiencing spirits outside of the very white Sommelier framework is important to me as it doesn’t suit most spirits.
Topic: Conversations with Ron Brugal Master Distiller
Guest Speaker:
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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.
Topic: Behind the scenes at Flor de Caña. Brief: Mauricio Solorzano (Flor de Caña Global Brand Ambassador) talks about 4 key components of the Nicaraguense family company. Quick history facts: This story began 1875 when Alfredo Francisco Pellas Canessa, a young adventurer from Genoa, Italy, risked everything by leaving behind his family and the comforts of the old continent to travel to the exotic country of Nicaragua. Initially, he invested in a shorter and safer steam boat route through Nicaragua to transport passengers and goods from the East Coast of the US to the West Coast during the height of the California Gold Rush. The route was a huge success, but when news broke about the construction of the Panama Canal and the U.S. coast-to-coast railroad, Alfredo Francisco knew it was time to set out on a new adventure. In 1890, he found the perfect setting for the Flor de Caña distillery at the base of the San Cristóbal volcano, the tallest and most active volcano in Nicaragua. The fertility of its surrounding lands, the enriched water and the hot volcanic climate proved to be instrumental in forging the rum’s unique and distinguished character. Through its 130-year history, the brand, the company and the family have lived through a plane crash, a civil war, nationalizations, hyperinflation, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Throughout all this, and against all odds, the company has also been able to remain a family business for five generations:
Only 3 in 10,000 family businesses make it to the 5th generation!
About: Mauricio Solorzano Born in Nicaragua in April 1964. Earned a degree in Public Relations in Costa Rica. Mauricio has worked for Flor de Caña Rum for more than 20 years and is currently the Global Brand Ambassador. This position has allowed him to represent the brand in more than 30 countries, introducing thousands to the world of super premium rums and sharing with pride the Flor de Caña story.
Topic: Rhum Saint James - Memoirs
Guest #1: Donatien FERRARI - Saint James Communication Manager
What You'll Learn: Rhum Saint James - Back in 1765, The first rum distilled at “Habitation Trou Vaillant” in Martinique was exported to North America under the name of Rhum Saint James. Donatien will sharing more great stories about such a unique brand.
Please click here to join our monthly subscription plan & view previous Livestream. Your help is highly appreciated.
Interview with the Crocomec
It’s simply funny. Watch this raw interview with the Cocomec. No edits. Wach the planning and side jokes, etc. Only for Patreon Members. Video available starting 9/4/2025









