Sip Into Something More Comfortable

With Marcy Rudershausen, Master of Whisky for Johnnie Walker® & the Diageo® Whisky brands

Ahh, Welcome to summertime! Hot, rainy, humid, it’s this time of year that we have to get creative on how to spend the evening or weekends. At any moment the clouds can darken the skies to night as the rains descend upon us.  Just as quickly the clouds can part, the sun comes out and once again you can frolic on the beach without a care in the world. A few days ago I was chatting with my co worker Christina Aguado, Reserve Brand Ambassador for Diageo, freshly returned from her honeymoon and she was teaching me about a new rum she has been given charge to care for. Now, I’m not well versed in rum so when she took me through a comparative tasting against some other leading brands I was pleased to discover I actually choose ORONOCO as my favorite and the best! Whew!! Nothing like being put to the test. This is what Christina had to say about this superb rum:

”Right now I have been enjoying an incredible new Super Premium Brazilian Rum called ORONOCO.  The rum is made from Brazilian mountain cane and comes in a stylish bottle with a recycled leather wrap. ORONOCO is triple distilled by column and copper pot stills and blended with aged South American rums, for a very elegant and refined taste.  It is lightly rested in Brazilian wood casks to round out the flavor. The bottles are batch numbered and sell for around $35.  ORONOCO can be found only in select stores and in some trendy restaurants and bars, if you have a chance to pick one up, I would highly recommend the following cocktail.

The Paulistano

Ingredients:

- 3 freshly cut lime wedges

- 1 1/2 oz Oronoco rum

- 3 mint leaves

- 1 oz pineapple juice

- Splash of orange cognac

- Mint for garnish

Muddle lime wedges in a cocktail shaker. Add Oronoco rum, mint leaves, pineapple juice, orange cognac and shake with ice. Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with mint. (Created by: Mixologist, Lucio Andrage, Hotel Unique's Sky Bar, Sao Paulo)

Also, try a couple of my favorites out of the Captain Morgan line of Rums. I particularly enjoy, Captain Morgan Parrot Bay Pineapple Rum, it is like a cool breeze off clear waters, an unexpectedly refreshing experience to be enjoyed when the sun is high and the sand is hot. A premium blend of fresh, rich, pineapple flavors with light, crisp Puerto Rican rum. It can be enjoyed in several of your favorite summertime cocktails including Pina Coladas and Mojitos.

And of course, for those sip and savor occasions I pour myself a glass of Captain Morgan Rum Private Stock. The finest of Captain Morgan's private reserves, Captain Morgan Private Stock is an extremely smooth, rich blend of the Captain's Puerto Rican rum and distinctive spices. Captain Morgan Private Stock is so smooth that it can be enjoyed straight or on the rocks, as well as in mixed drinks.“

From this whisky drinkin’ woman to you, if you love great spirits and enjoy fine rum on occasion, these are some not to be missed! I love the slight woody flavors and delightful smooth vanilla finish of ORONOCO! And the Captain makes any rum occasion a party, just strike the pose and see what response you elicit from your company…“Arrgh“ says the captain. So after a long day at the office whether its raining cats and dogs or sunny as the day is long kick back this weekend and introduce your friends to something that will please their taste buds and  as always, sip into something more comfortable responsibly and enjoy ORONOCO Brazilian Rum or Captain Morgan.

Slainte! Salud! Cheers!

© 2007 Tasters Guild Orlando