The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), is widely generally acknowledged as one of the most prestigious and independent contests of its type in the world, with its rigorous judging: the tastings last seven months with over 300 judges from 30 countries.

This year’s winners were announced at last night’s awards ceremony held at The Guildhall in London and most noteably for us rum drinkers is that Demerara Distillers won both the American & Caribbean Spirits Producer award and The Rum Trophy for their excellent 8 Year Old El Dorado Rum.

Add this to a couple of extra Gold Outstanding awards for their sumptuous El Dorado 12 Year Old and the already highly decorated El Dorado 15 Year Old rums, along with a Gold award for the El Dorado 21 Year and an Outstanding Silver award for their El Dorado 5 Year Old and I think  it’s fair to say that Demerara Distillers are deservedly,  having another great year.

Full details on these awards and all the other awards in the Rum category can be found on the IWSC website.

Although there’s never a need for an excuse to enjoy a glass or two of any of the expressions in the Ron Botran range, it always helps when there’s an extra reason to celebrate. And what better excuse was there to join Ron Botran’s Frank Quinones, Isabel Molina and Luis Archila, along with Ron Botran’s UK distributors, Distillnation’s Francis and Maya Weier at Bird of Smithfield on the 9th October 2013, to celebrate the recent awarding of Geographical Indication Status to Rones de Guatemala.

So in honour of a great night and a great achievement, here’s the unofficial photography gallery from the night. Keep an eye out for the night’s special guest – the Guatemalan Ambassador to the UK: Asisclo Valladares, although I’m afraid to say that he didn’t turn up with a tray of Ferrero Rocher…

With The UK RumFest 2013 now behind us, the Whisky Exchange Vinopolis has a little something extra in the line-up for the end of October. Stefanie Holt, Global Brand Ambassador for El Dorado Rum, International Brand Ambassador of the Year 2012 and all-round globe-trotting wonder woman, will be there to take you through her range of luscious Guyanese rums. A great chance to warm your cockles as we head into the shivery embrace of English Winter!

For this tasting, they’ll be kicking things off as you arrive with a refreshing Caribbean rum punch made with El Dorado 5yo. After that they’ll move on to taste the core range of 8yo, 12yo, 15yo and 21yo rums, before trying no less than 3 different El Dorado Single Barrel rums. These are incredibly rare and they only receive a few bottles each year here in the UK, so the obvious reaction is to open them for a tasting! They’re interesting because each of the Single Barrels come from a different still.

The whole El Dorado range is made from different combinations of stills, including the world’s only wooden column and double wooden pot stills. You’ll be trying 3 that are part of the DNA for the 12yo – Enmore EHP, Port Mourant PM and Uitvlugt ICBU. This all may sound complicated, but don’t fret, Stef will of course be on hand to explain the unique processes that go into making El Dorado.

The tasting will take place on Monday 21st October, 7:30pm.
£29.50 per ticket

As ever, tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and are limited to two per customer

Book your ticket
Call: 020 7403 8688
or visit the shop

The Whisky Exchange Vinopolis
1 Bank End, London, SE1 9BU

Returning for a fourth year, the Golden Rum Barrel Awards recognized exquisite, stand-out rums, as well as individuals, who have made a significant contribution to the rum industry over the last twelve months. Winners were carefully selected by Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrell and a panel of experts with awards including ‘Best Blogger of the Year’, A Mountain of Crushed Ice and Destilerias Unidas S.A. (Venezuela) who picked up ‘Rum Distillery of the Year’ plus Virgin Gorda Rum receiving ‘Boutique Rum of The Year’. 2013’s Master Blender of the Year was picked up by the hugely talented Tito Cordero for both his depth of experience and for producing what is, arguably, the finest and most consistent rum with his Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva blend.

The inaugural ‘The Rum Experience Hall Of Fame’, launched on Saturday as part of the UK RumFest, recognized those who have proved to be a phenomenal force within the industry. Master Blender Lorena Vásquez Ampié‘s dedication to the promotion of Guatemalan rums, particularly Ron Zacapa to a new and discerning rum clientele was recognized as the first in a number of inductees on the night. Passionate about the art of crafting premium rum, Lorena is driven by her quest for perfection and is one of a small number of female master blenders in the world. Jose Sanchez Gavito has been a master blender for over 36 years and has been pushing the boundaries for new rum throughout his career. After retiring, from making rum in Mexico for Bacardi, Jose then joined the Bacardi Global team to create a new wave of “retro rums” such as the Bacardi ‘Heritage edition’, which has broken new ground and re-introduced Bacardi rum to the cocktail & mixology world.

Laurie Barnard, Chairman of St. Lucia Distillers, was seen by many as one of the greatest rum makers of his generation. A man with great dreams and ambition for Caribbean rum to be seen as the great spirit, worldwide. He was committed to quality control, as well as diversity in the production and distribution of his rum. Sadly Mr Barnard passed away in October 2012 but his legacy lives on through his rums like Chairman’s Reserve and Elements 8. Laurie’s award was received on his behalf by London Boxer David “The Hayemaker” Haye.

Master Distiller Richard Seale was awarded for constantly proving that “Rum innovation is rum tradition waiting to happen”. Richard Seale is a rum trend setter. A 3rd generation rum maker, he was definitely “born to make rum”.

Francisco Don Pancho Fernandez is a pioneering Master Blender and for over 50 years, Cuban born Don Pancho has been involved in making great Spanish styled rum. During the 1970’s as director of the Cuban Beverage Industry, Don Pancho helped in the renovation process of the rum industry in Cuba, introducing modern technology, renovating the cask inventories and modernizing the plants and distilleries. He also helped to improve fermentation, production and blending techniques that set the standard worldwide enabling him to travel the world and interact with different spirit industries such as Whisky in Scotland and Vodka in Poland. These multicultural exchanges developed his experience and skill and made Don Pancho the quintessential Master Blender he is today, with a unique and personal touch. Rums like Zafra 21, Ron Abuelo and of course Ron de Jeremy rum has kept Don at the top of his game.

 2013 GOLDEN RUM BARREL AWARD WINNERS:

Boutique Rum of the Year sponsored Imbibe Magazine 

Virgin Gorda Rum

Rum Distillery of the Year

Destilerias Unidas S.A. (Venezuela)

Master Blender of the Year sponsored by Green Engineering 

Tito Cordero

Rum Blogger of the Year sponsored by Don Q Rum 

A Mountain Of Crushed Ice

Rum Experience Hall of Fame Award

Lorena Vásquez Ampié
Jose Sanchez Gavito
Laurie Barnard
Richard Seale
Francisco Don Pancho Fernandez

Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador comments, “This year’s Golden Rum Barrel Awards plays tribute to the pioneers within the the industry whether blend or being. Rums rising popularity throughout the world can be attributed to many of these esteemed individuals or brands and we are thrilled to announce such an incredible range of distillers, master blenders, ambassadors and rum blends from all over the world.”