As the helicopter flew overhead, its rotor blades slicing through air, I stood on a rooftop, camera in hand, and the Louisville skyline transformed into Mosul, the Iraqi city where I perched on rooftops as an Army photojournalist. I felt my chest; I was missing … Continue readingI Watched Fireworks With My Son
What does a perfect spirit taste like? The perfect spirit is complex, challenges your senses and causes tingling sensations. On the nose, no matter the category, greatness is as much as what it is–bakery, earth, fruit or floral notes, e.g.—as what it isn’t—rubbing alcohol, varnish … Continue readingVelier Foursquare 2006: The Greatest Rum I’ve Ever Tasted
Standing behind Rum Curious stacks and Plantation Rum, I observed a line wrap around Quarto’s book trailer. They carried bags, wore Book Expo America badges, and all took in the waft of rum entering tiny plastic cups. “Oh, that smells so good,” one said, “I … Continue readingLibrarians Love Rum
When this pitch came across my desk, my blood started boiling. “Island Company Rum is a new ultra-premium liquor that was created to appeal to both rum lovers and vodka lovers alike. It is a blonde rum with virtually no burn and has even less calories than your favorite liquor. …” Ugh. Vodka. … Continue readingNo, Rum is Not Vodka
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum Pure Pot Still, 57%, less than $30 No additives About the rum: Distilled at the famous Hampden Distillery and comprised of Wedderburn and Plummer pot still distillates from wild yeast, molasses, skimmings, cane juice, syrup bottoms, and dunder from … Continue readingSmith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum Review
Dear Bourbon Drinker: Lend me your angst, palate and general disgust toward brand marketing. Take this age statement-dropping hate boiling deep within and apply it to rum. Yes, rum. It needs you. For the past decade, I’ve watched you, the bourbon geek, complain about sourced … Continue readingFor Rum’s Sake, An Open Letter to Bourbon Drinkers