A Rumtastic Week For London
The first ever Rum Experience Week lands in London this week and we can’t wait to try out new ways to enjoy this often ignored exotic tipple. Headed up by Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell, the seven day series aims to raise awareness of the spirit like never before, and welcomes both rum newcomers and the discerning drinker to embrace the vibrant culture of rum.
The rum-fuelled action kicks off on the Monday (12th) with Lamb’s Navy Rum, who will reveal the first limited edition batch of their Single Cask in one of Alfred Lamb’s old stores under the Thames at Voltaire, followed by the official launch party for Rum Experience Week. Joined by the biggest experts from the world of Rum, Bourne & Hollingsworth are hosting a Rum Masters Tasting & Dinner next Tuesday evening, sampling four unique and bespoke rums, specially created by master distillers for the first ever Rum Experience Week. The evening’s engaging hosts consist of some of the world’s most renowned ambassadors including representatives from Appleton Rum, Foursquare, Velier Rums and Pampero.
Rum tasting will be taken to new heights on the Tuesday as Appleton Estate Rum offers 400 rum enthusiasts the chance to take part in the ultimate ‘alternative night in’, as they present#AppletonLive the ‘Taste of Jamaica’ Appleton Estate Rum’s Twitter Tasting. Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrell and Appleton Estate’s senior blender, David Morrison will host the live Twitter tasting, in which rum fans can follow online, from their very own homes, to unlock the true tastes and smells of Jamaican rum, with each tweet. Thursday welcomes rum lovers to jump aboard the Tiki Boat for Tiki On The Thames. Expect an afternoon of Tiki vibes, Tiki tunes, complementary Tiki cocktails and all things Tiki before voyagers disembark for a special after party at the famous Mahiki in Mayfair.
Friday sees the return of the Rum Experience University to offer rum lovers with even more of an education in rum and a recognised diploma, while industry figures gather for the annual rum trade event Boutique RumFest to sample and meet new and emerging rum brands to the UK market. Rounding off the week is the ninth annual RumFest. The huge two day rum celebration is on course for its best year yet featuring tastings of over 400 rums, cocktail making competitions, seminars, workshops, a Christie’s rum auction, incredible food and the party atmosphere of Carnival Hour.
The Rum Experience Week also plans to celebrate classic cocktails by giving them a Rum twist, each day participating bars will celebrate a different Cocktail of the Day. Monday is all about the Mojito, Tuesday the sweet Daiquiri, Wednesday plays with Mai Tai, Thursday is the exotic Pina Colada and finally Friday is Planter’s Punch day. Rum fans visiting the Rum Week bars, which include Artesian Mahiki, Trailer Happiness, Merchant House, Rum & Sugar, Portside Parlour and London Cocktail Club will also be in with a chance of winning bottles of rum by posting a photo of themselves drinking the cocktail of the day across socials tagging #rumweek.
Global Rum Ambassador and Rum Experience Week Founder Ian Burrell told us:”It’s just a few days now until the first ever Rum Experience Week hits London and the excitement is building. We’ve paired up with some of the most pioneering and exciting partners and will be seeing events pop up all over the capital for the very special week of tastings, seminars, dinners, master classes, live twitter tasting and parties. Rum is an incredibly versatile spirit and there will be no better way to celebrate this than at the first ever Rum Experience Week. See you there!”
For more information on what’s happening and where, see rumexperienceweek.com.
