Rumfest 2011 Hightlights

We’ve finally sobered up enough to film our highlights of Rumfest 2011. We admit that we didn’t manage to capture much but here’s a highlight montage of what we did capture.

We also promise we will upgrade our camera for our next video…..

Havana Club at Rumfest

Being a fan of Havana Club, I was very excited to be heading back to Rumfest to sample some Cuban rum cocktails.

On arrival we were faced with only what can be described as a massive cargo container, with beads hanging over the entrance.

As we fought through the crowds of people, we found inside was set up like a bar, reminiscent to La Bodeguita del medio in Havana.

Bacardi at Rumfest 2011

A real surprise for Cut the Cap was trying the Bacardi OakHeart. I’d been hearing about this rum for a while now and recently blogged about it, so was looking forward to trying it at Rumfest 2011.

The great thing about Rumfest (as well as the free rum) is the fact that you get to discover first-hand the good rum from the bad rum. (and trust us, there was some bad rums there)

Rumfest 2011 – The Aftermath

So as I struggle to drink litres of water, I’m trying to piece together the memories from this weekend’s Rumfest, and the reality is, there are so many memories, I have no idea where to start.

If I had to pick a highlight I’m not sure what it would be. Could it be the interview I did with Ron Jeremy? Could it be sampling the Havana Club 15 year? Could it be the ‘Icely Done’ rum and guava ice lolly, or was it the Golden Rum Barrel Awards.

Either way it was one hell of a day – and I think the best way is to write up each section individually, (gives me time to take my Berocca)

So watch this space as we attempt to edit our videos and make sense of our notes!

Watch this space…..

We are Live at Rumfest 2011

That’s right folks, we at the cap are live at Rumfest 2011 UK in London’s Olympia exhibition center. We have already tasted the likes of Element 8, learnt about Ron Zacapa’s ‘Sistema Solera, had a Cuban breakfast courtesy of St. Barth’s R Cool rum as well as the R7, Discovered Icely Done’s alcoholic Ice Lollies, Had a first taste of Baccardi’s new Oakheart, and shook hands and interviewed the legendary Ron Jeremy, here promoting his Ron de Jeremy rum brand. Stay tuned for the pics, news, reviews, and interviews courtesy of your favourite bloggers.

The Golden Rum Barrel Awards 2011

As if my week couldnt get any better, first I have Rumfest on saturday and now Cut the Cap have been invited as a guest to the Golden Rum Barrell Awards taking place that night.

God knows what I am going to do about dressing up, but It looks like it’s going to be one hell of an evening. With all of the major rum companies out for an awards evening, what could go wrong.

Check out the nominations for the awards here

here’s a flavour of what happened last year:

Cut the Cap are very excited and cannot wait to try some good rum. I will be reporting back after as to what rums I recommend with cigars so watch this space….

For more info and to get tickets, click here

Havana Club – 3 of a Kind

Ahead of Rumfest this weekend, I decided to do a mini stock take of my rum collection and turns out I’ve got 3 of a kind!……

Havana Club 7 year
Havana Club Especial
Havana Club Cuban Barrel Proof

As well as a mini Angostura rum that I was given last year at Rumfest. Apologies for the messy Cigar Aficionado magazine poking out.

Lets see what delights I end up buying this weekend. I’m looking forward to sampling the Bacardi Oakheart. I’ve heard much about this rum, however online there seems to be allot from other countries, and nothing UK specific.

Check out an advert for it here (doesn’t it just make you want to light up a cigar and pour a glass)

Rumfest 2011 Update

The UK Indian Summer may be truly over, however for 2 days in October (15th & 16th) the Caribbean heat will be on full blast at Kensington Olympia as Rumfest returns for its 5th year.

Last year I was lucky enough to go and since I left the event I’ve been striking the days down faster than a convict waiting for his release day.

I recently touched on what to expect from Rumfest, however I’ve just been informed they are going even bigger this year.

To kick it off, there will be over 400 different rums to sample, but what’s new this year is a Tropical Food Market.

I think this a genius idea as last year I was starving by 6pm so being able to have a bite to eat will be the icing on the cake…or ‘the mint in the mojito’…. see what I did there??!??

The food market will feature an area devoted to presenting the finest delicacies and cuisine the tropics has to offer.

Highly acclaimed rum chef Paul Yellin, (yep there is such a job) who has travelled the Caribbean discovering how to create unique dishes using rum, will be demonstrating and giving seminars on how to use rum in cooking. (I can now justify going to the other half)

 

The Mette Cantina will be the tropics-inspired setting for the celebrity chefs and also where Paul Yellin will be searching for the Rum Experience Chef of the Year.

Budding rum chefs will be asked to devise a rum canapé and the winner will be whisked off on an all-expenses paid trip to Barbados to attend the Taste Festival in November.

I very much doubt my speciality ‘rum cooked in rum’ will win, but it’s a nice thought!

The Bacardi Dominoes and Daiquiri Zone is back for another year where visitors can enjoy Bacardi Cocktails and attempt to learn Domino’s.

With so much going on including the Tiki Bar Tender of the Year sponsored by Don Q Rum competition, exotic music and dancing, and a plethora of rums from around the world including Havana Club– what more can you ask for from a weekend?

If that wasn’t enough, Ron De Jeremey will also be there, which I have been dying to sample.

The man we need to thank for all of this - Ian Burrell, UK Rum Ambassador and UK RumFest founder, and here’s what he had to say about it:

“The tropical lifestyle is one which should be shared with as many people as possible and we are extremely proud to hold an event which brings this culture to London,”

“The weekend has a carnival feel to it as hundreds celebrate rum and the lifestyle that comes with it including exotic foods, salsa and zouk dancing and live music.”

Tickets are on sale and I recommend buying them quick. It’s a great day out for anyone who likes a cocktail and a good time. You can get them here and find out more about Rumfest

Cutthecap will be down there filming a little video blog and also holding a Cigar smoking session after at a nearby location. So if you see us down there, come and say hello and join us for a cigar after (Bring your own cigars – were not millionaires)

Rumfest 2011

Last Year I was very fortunate enough to attend an event that has since been talked about pretty much every day since to friends and family.

That event is Rumfest!

So to explain this in the easiest way:

1 – Kensington Olympia is hired out for 2 days
2 – Pretty much every Rum brand has an area where they give out free samples (over 400)
3 – Amazing Cocktails
4 – Live music and entertainment
5 – You only pay a small amount to get in (£20) and then all the drinks are free via tokens

It was heaven for me. Being a cigar smoker I was able to investigate all the different rums and really differentiate between what rums would pair with my cigars.