The Rum Collective: Unveiling Cuban Rum within the USA: The Personal Periods

The quintessential forbidden fruit of the American is now ripe for the choosing. Sipping Cuban Rum, smoking a ‘Cuban’; temptations that solely a handful of US residents critically thought of or acted on up till December seventeenth, 2014. That’s the day when President Obama, after earlier discussions with Cuban President Raul Castro, broke the ice in US-Cuban relations with a formal assertion to ease commerce restrictions and total enhance diplomatic ties with Cuba. Whoa! Sure, it was true and after 53 years, it appeared there would possibly certainly be some thawing of the 1962 Cuban embargo that introduced chills within the Chilly Battle period. It was sure, efficient January sixteenth, 2015, a licensed US Citizen, may spend cash in Cuba and convey again as much as $400 in Cuban made items, of which as much as $100 might be rum and cigars. So this meant you can now go, have your passport stamped legally (fairly cool if you’re a US citizen) and never sweat the disposable Visa situation, dread a misplaced passport or worry fines and imprisonment after spending a bit of cash on daiquiris down in Cuba upon return. Oh yeah! If that wasn’t sufficient of a confidence booster for securing your subsequent journey date, on Could twenty sixth, 2015, US Secretary of State eliminated Cuba from the checklist of nations recognized as being a “state sponsor of terrorism”. Thanks John Kerry! This was incredible information and though it can take an act of Congress to raise the present embargo, these pleasant gestures have given hope to Cuban rum producers for elevated commerce and US residents’ extra alternatives for future journey to Cuba to know extra about this nation and its folks. Even Bacardi, with its Cuban roots and precarious historical past there, voiced a magnanimous reply to those developments, “We hope for significant enhancements in lives of Cuban folks and can comply with any adjustments with nice curiosity.” Such an announcement resonates with many and is worthy of reward. At present, regardless of these constructive steps ahead, Cuban Rum just isn’t but legally out there on the market within the USA and is technically nonetheless illicit contraband except procured in Cuba in accordance with the above rules. Nevertheless, the billion greenback prospect of promoting Cuban Rum within the USA just isn’t being taken calmly. One Cuban Rum model, Havana Membership, owned collectively by Pernod-Ricard and government-owned Company Cuba Ron, is prepared to ship. Till then, we’ll hope for extra constructive developments in the direction of lifting the embargo. Within the meantime, as America packs its luggage for Havana, there’s one query on everybody’s thoughts.

Which Cuban Rums ought to I deliver again? 

Effectively, quickly after the information broke, a CNBC video surfaced about what your $100 USD restrict may purchase you in Cuba. Sadly, Eamon Javers’ disappointing blurb on principally one model and some costs tried to sum it up. Come on, critically? If you’ll journey to Cuba, one would assume a extra informative manufacturing would possibly come up. No, not a lot. Then, there was Conon O’ Brien’s enjoyable video collection on his journey to Cuba. Regardless of its comedic worth, it wasn’t actually that useful with reference to understanding or selecting a Cuban Rum. Truthfully, nothing substitutes for first-hand information gained from a private tasting or a visit to Havana. So, how can we be taught extra earlier than the flight? In gentle of the pleasant open communication between our two nations, the time is true for taking the initiative to open up guided instructional alternatives to be taught extra about this island’s rum.

The Cuban Rum Initiative

This Initiative might be composed of a three-part collection of personal, instructional Cuban rum tastings. This foremost complete collection will characteristic vertical tastings of varied expressions from almost each model of Rum in Cuba. Its objective is to advertise consciousness of and provide additional perception into Cuban-style Rum. Severely, who does not wish to know extra about, and higher but, really personally expertise Cuban Rum? Effectively, naturally, The Rum Collective does!

The Cuban Rum Initiative tastings are non-public occasions.

Invitations will exit to members of The Rum Collective. 

There might be restricted seating.

Questions?

If in case you have questions or really feel you must obtain an invitation as a visitor member, please contact: nick@therumcollective.com