Rum distillers / blenders

[Edward Hamilton]

Your feedback has been invaluable in making this the most visited website for rum information. From your posts it is clear that most of us are tired of the marketing hype that accompanies our favorite spirit.

So here's your chance to tell me which company distiller you'd like to ask about their product. I'll be offering this space where you will be able to ask questions and get answers from the distillers. This will be moderated and the distillers will be choosing the questions they will be answering so don't expect to learn all the trade secrets.

Please don't post your questions yet, but I would like to know which distilleries you'd like to learn more about.

[angelsword]

I might include Importers, Blenders, and Bottlers:

Appleton
Mount Gay
Santa Teresa
Pyrat
One Barrel

[Tiare]

Appleton
Demerara distillers
Santa Teresa

[frenchrumlover]

pyrat
zacappa
diplomatico
santa teresa
trois rivieres
j bally
brugal
varadero:D

[mac]

I like to know how Prichard's gets its unique oak flavor.

[mac]

And I'd like to understand Mount Gay, I've sailed in a number of regattas that they sponsored but never found anyone who could answer any questions.

[angelsword]

Flor de Cana !!!

[Hank Koestner]

All of the above and anyone from Martinique distlleries and Guadaloupe.

[RobertBurr]

I'd like to know details about how some of my favorite rums are made, including (but not limited to) Matusalem, Vizcaya, Gosling's, Santa Teresa, El Dorado, Appleton, Diplomatico, Flor de Caсa, Doorly's and Barcelo.

[Rum Runner]

Barbancourt.
Barcelo'.
Cruzan.
Any AOC Martinique.
Havana Club...The real one.

[Edward Hamilton]

This looks like the table of contents of my next book, but this isn't a cheap ploy to pitch the next book. Several distillers have agreed to answer questions about their products from our membership in a public internet forum.

Members will be given about a week to post their questions. The distillers will answer as many questions as possible. Don't expect to have every detail of every rum posted on the internet but I guarantee that you'll learn a lot from these professionals.

[Edward Hamilton]

I might include Importers, Blenders, and Bottlers:


A couple of blenders/bottlers come to mind, I'll have to think about importers.

[KINGSTON]

Will any Rum Makers join The Ministry to chat with their loyal followers?

[Dood]

Man, just found this.

Appleton
Matusalem
One Barrel
Brugal
El Dorado

That's probably my top five.

[Paulipbartender]

I would very much like to question DDL. We have contact with many of the above producers but no-one from Guyana.....plus love that Demerara.......

And I would love Captain Jimbo to question any of the producers from Martinique.

[Tiare]

And I would love Captain Jimbo to question any of the producers from Martinique.

He would be tough on them eh?

[RumBarPhilly]

Id like to chat with the folks at:

Appleton
Zacapa
Agua Luca
Montecristo
Demerara

[Edward Hamilton]

Will any Rum Makers join The Ministry to chat with their loyal followers?

The idea isn't exactly a chat room but rather to have members submit questions and then the rum maker will answer questions. Please appreciate that these are very busy people who don't have time to answer the same question several times so the questions will be moderated to respect their time.

[Tiare]

Its a wonderful idea Ed! :)

[primate77]

I'll slip in a couple...

One Barrel
Appleton
Angostura

[JMac]

All of the above and anyone from Martinique distlleries and Guadaloupe.

Have to second this motion...

[Lew Barrett]

The Venezuelans. Santa Teresa and Pampero for starters.

[primate77]

The Venezuelans.

Well, we can skip their Dictator, err, President. Unless of course Spain's leader is there to once again tell him to "shut up"!:D

[Lew Barrett]

Well, we can skip their Dictator, err, President. Unless of course Spain's leader is there to once again tell him to "shut up"!:D


Yeah, I thought of that, but the rum's fine!

[Torpnubber]

There is so much mystery surrounding two rums from the Dominican Republic, that they would be the very first on my list.

VIZCAYA
MATUSALEM

[RumBarPhilly]

There is so much mystery surrounding two rums from the Dominican Republic, that they would be the very first on my list.

VIZCAYA
MATUSALEM

Of those mysterious Dominican rums! Vizcaya's flavor profile is such a mystery!

[angelsword]

Of those mysterious Dominican rums! Vizcaya's flavor profile is such a mystery!

What is so mysterious? Cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel. But very nicely done.

[RumBarPhilly]

And the hints of cedar and smoke?

[angelsword]

And the hints of cedar and smoke?

I'll do some experiments to confirm my ideas. But the ingredients recombine, interacting with each other, and can create interesting results.

But I feel that we would be in error to ask Viscaya to reveal too much. They are very nice folks and I like what they are doing.

[Torpnubber]

I love Vizcaya's taste profile.
I'm more curious about the mystery surrounding the companies themselves.

I've never seen mention of Vizcaya's ownership or where the spirit is distilled in the DR. The same can be said for Matusalem :confused:

[KINGSTON]

Quote:
Originally Posted by KINGSTON
Will any Rum Makers join The Ministry to chat with their loyal followers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Hamilton
The idea isn't exactly a chat room but rather to have members submit questions and then the rum maker will answer questions. Please appreciate that these are very busy people who don't have time to answer the same question several times so the questions will be moderated to respect their time.

__________________________________________________ _______________

I understand Ed-

I just thought maybe you could have a thread that manufactures could post about new products or their latest news. Many cigar manufactures in the cigar industry join web sites like this to reach out to their core audience. These are multi million dollar companies that are very busy people that seem to “find the time”.

But I think it would be great for us to be able to summit questions. Another reason why I enjoy this website. Keep up the good work.

[Michael]

I'll do some experiments to confirm my ideas. But the ingredients recombine, interacting with each other, and can create interesting results.

But I feel that we would be in error to ask Viscaya to reveal too much. They are very nice folks and I like what they are doing.

Are they apt to be offended by such questions? Given the lack of information to this point, wouldn't such questions just be unlikely to receive a detailed response? Would it really hurt to ask?

[Edward Hamilton]

The distillers will have the opportunity to answer those questions they want to answer. If they don't want to answer a question, that question will be suppressed to public view. If in the future they want to go back and answer more questions, that will be up to them.

[Edward Hamilton]

I just thought maybe you could have a thread that manufactures could post about new products or their latest news. Many cigar manufactures in the cigar industry join web sites like this to reach out to their core audience. These are multi million dollar companies that are very busy people that seem to “find the time”.

But I think it would be great for us to be able to summit questions. Another reason why I enjoy this website. Keep up the good work.

I'm talking to several companies about sponsored forums where they can post new product releases, event announcements, contests and general information. In this space they could also interact with Ministry of Rum members in an environment where they could moderate the discussion. Stay tuned.

[El Dorado]

Happy to hear that you would like to speak to someone from DDL.
My name is Carl Kanto and I am the Process Chemist / Brand Ambassador for DDL. I would be happy to answer your questions as far as possible and help you to understand El Dorado rums so you can appreciate them more.
Go right ahead and shoot.

[angelsword]

Happy to hear that you would like to speak to someone from DDL.
My name is Carl Kanto and I am the Process Chemist / Brand Ambassador for DDL. I would be happy to answer your questions as far as possible and help you to understand El Dorado rums so you can appreciate them more.
Go right ahead and shoot.

How many different marks are distilled by DDL to begin the aging process?

[Tiare]

I would like to know what goes in rums like Uitvlugt 1990 Fullproof, Port Mourant 1993 Full Proof 1993 and the like?

[Rum Runner]

Welcome Carl. It is wonderful that you have joined in here and opened a venue amongst the rum lovers on board.

Your rums are not easy for me to find here in Puerto Rico, but those I have tasted are quite lovely.

One thing that has interested me are the age statements on the El Dorado line. For instance, The "25" states a full 25 years in cask, Where as the "15" describes a "blend" of up to 25.

Can you flesh out an overview of the age statements for the El Dorado line?

A warm welcome once again.

Best regards, and keep up the good work.

[Tiare]

I also forgot to mention that i`m also interested in knowing something about your wooden continuous and pot stills..

Thank you for joining us and taking your time in answering to our questions!

[Hank Koestner]

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!
I am curious about the barrels you use, and how they are treated prior to the inclusion of the rum.

[El Dorado]

How many different marks are distilled by DDL to begin the aging process?

At the moment we produce about 10 straight distillates from the stills.

[El Dorado]

I would like to know what goes in rums like Uitvlugt 1990 Fullproof, Port Mourant 1993 Full Proof 1993 and the like?

Sorry, I do not know these rums. Our rums are identified by the EL DORADO brand.

[angelsword]

At the moment we produce about 10 straight distillates from the stills.

What besides the type of still distinguishes them?

[Tiare]

Thanks for clearing that up, but can you explain to me..i thought that Demerara distillers made the El dorado rums and these other Demerara rums which also are said to be from the Demerara distillers?? i get a bit confused here..:confused:

Quote from other site for instance:
..and more rums and also from demerara distillers which also carries the El Dorado lines are some interesting rums like for example Port morant…"

So if these other demeraras are not yours, i wonder who`s?

[El Dorado]

What besides the type of still distinguishes them?

Their aromas and congener levels - these make them unique in their flovours

[El Dorado]

Thanks for clearing that up, but can you explain to me..i thought that Demerara distillers made the El dorado rums and these other Demerara rums which also are said to be from the Demerara distillers?? i get a bit confused here..:confused:

Quote from other site for instance:
..and more rums and also from demerara distillers which also carries the El Dorado lines are some interesting rums like for example Port morant…"

So if these other demeraras are not yours, i wonder who`s?

These rums might be rums distilled by DDL but sold as bulk rum hence still being produced in Demerara. I'll try to find out and let you know.

[angelsword]

Their aromas and congener levels - these make them unique in their flovours

Your participation on this forum truly is a great pleasure. Thank You!
I hope that you don't mind my questions, but the highly distinctive flavors presented by DDL are so far from all others that there must be many determining factors.

To what extent are these levels determined by the amount of lees used versus type of still?

[El Dorado]

To what extent are these levels determined by the amount of lees used versus type of still?

We do not use lees to give us flovours. We distill fresh fermented solution. In addition to the stills, the environment in Guyana is also a major contributor to the uniqueness of the El Dorado rums. It should be noted that Guyana molasses is used elsewhere in the Caribbean but this distinctive characteristics of the Demerara rum have never been achieved in these adapted environment.

[El Dorado]

Welcome Carl. One thing that has interested me are the age statements on the El Dorado line. For instance, The "25" states a full 25 years in cask, Where as the "15" describes a "blend" of up to 25.

Can you flesh out an overview of the age statements for the El Dorado line?

All of our rums are at minimun the age indicated on the bottle - that is it can be older but not younger.

[El Dorado]

I also forgot to mention that i`m also interested in knowing something about your wooden continuous and pot stills..

The wooden stills are made of local hard wood.
The continuous still is made up of two columns and each column is made up of a number of rectangular frames stacked on top of each other and bolted down. The rectifier has cooling / heating coils in about half of the sections. It is similar in structure to the one initally constructed in 1832 by Aneas Coffey, the Irish excise officer.
We have 2 wooden pot stills - one is a single wooden pot and the other is a double wooden pot. The difference in the pots, other than in the number of pots, is the quality of the product they produce - the single pot is lighter mildly flavoured with a thinge of sweetness and fusel oils where as the double pot is much heavier, robust with a good tone of fusel oil.
I would have love to grace your eyes with photographs of models of the wooden continuous and double wooden pot stills but the site is not permitting me to send photos in the replies.

[Michael]

...
I would have love to grace your eyes with photographs of models of the wooden continuous and double wooden pot stills but the site is not permitting me to send photos in the replies.

We'd all love to see those photos. Perhaps one of the members familiar with the procedure would assist Carl in posting them.

[El Dorado]

I would like to know what goes in rums like Uitvlugt 1990 Fullproof, Port Mourant 1993 Full Proof 1993 and the like?

Returning to your question, like I had mentioned, in the past we were a bulk rum trader and individual bottlers in Europe would buy our different distillates and age then and present them to the market in different format under different names. If you let me know the name of the brand we may be able to trace the bottler.

[Tiare]

I would have love to grace your eyes with photographs of models of the wooden continuous and double wooden pot stills but the site is not permitting me to send photos in the replies.

Thank you Carl for your detailed information, its very interesting! If it were possible i would have loved to visit your distillery.

[Tiare]

If you let me know the name of the brand we may be able to trace the bottler.

All i know is that it was written Demerara distillers. But thank you for all the info!

[El Dorado]

I am curious about the barrels you use, and how they are treated prior to the inclusion of the rum.

We use American white oak once used bourbon barrels

[El Dorado]

Thank you Carl for your detailed information, its very interesting! If it were possible i would have loved to visit your distillery.

We would love to have you visit our distillery. If ever you are in this part of the world feel free to visit us. You are most welcome. Awaiting your arrival.

[Tiare]

Thank you! :) i don`t think i could be in that part of the world without visiting your distillery! I have had El D15 as my all time fav rum since about 15 years now and oddly enough it was also one of my first rums as well.
But contrary to my other "early rums" i have never abandoned this one and never will.

[Berbician]

Tiare,

I think I can be of some assistance regarding Uitvlugt and Port Mourant.

At one time every sugar factory in Guyana had its own distillery, and there were lots of these. The Uitvlugt distillery was in Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (about 10 miles or 16 kilometres west of Georgetown), while the Port Mourant distillery was in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice (about 90 miles or 144 kilometres south-east of Georgetown). So strictly speaking the Port Mourant rum isn't a Demerara rum but a Berbice rum, Berbice being the county to the east of Demerara.

It isn't quite as complicated as I'm making it sound:rolleyes:.

Basically, these names are simply the geographical locations of where the distilleries used to be. Apart from Uitvlugt and Port Mourant, you might be able to find Enmore, Albion, Blairmont, Skeldon and if you're very lucky Rose Hall.

Now, there's just one distillery left - Diamond, East Bank Demerara - and all Demerara rum is distilled here. Even XM is distilled at Diamond, and then aged and bottled by Banks/DIH at Thirst Park, just outside Georgetown.

I was in Guyana in March and would have liked to visit the Diamond distillery, but it was closed for maintenance:mad:.

[angelsword]

We do not use lees to give us flovours. We distill fresh fermented solution. In addition to the stills, the environment in Guyana is also a major contributor to the uniqueness of the El Dorado rums. It should be noted that Guyana molasses is used elsewhere in the Caribbean but this distinctive characteristics of the Demerara rum have never been achieved in these adapted environment.

Thank you! I can see where the environment could be a major factor. How long are your fermentation times? Do you vary the the fermentation times to achieve different levels of aroma and flavor?

[angelsword]

We use American white oak once used bourbon barrels

Do you use said barrels more than once?

[Tiare]

Even XM is distilled at Diamond, and then aged and bottled by Banks/DIH at Thirst Park, just outside Georgetown.

Yes, i have seen that on my bottle.

Thanks for the info! i`ve read many contrasting things about these rums. I guess these things are quite mixed up sometimes.

I was in Guyana in March and would have liked to visit the Diamond distillery, but it was closed for maintenance:mad:.

What a pity it was closed when you were there!

[El Dorado]

Tiare,

I think I can be of some assistance regarding Uitvlugt and Port Mourant.

At one time every sugar factory in Guyana had its own distillery, and there were lots of these. The Uitvlugt distillery was in Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (about 10 miles or 16 kilometres west of Georgetown), while the Port Mourant distillery was in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice (about 90 miles or 144 kilometres south-east of Georgetown). So strictly speaking the Port Mourant rum isn't a Demerara rum but a Berbice rum, Berbice being the county to the east of Demerara.

It isn't quite as complicated as I'm making it sound:rolleyes:.

Basically, these names are simply the geographical locations of where the distilleries used to be. Apart from Uitvlugt and Port Mourant, you might be able to find Enmore, Albion, Blairmont, Skeldon and if you're very lucky Rose Hall.

Now, there's just one distillery left - Diamond, East Bank Demerara - and all Demerara rum is distilled here. Even XM is distilled at Diamond, and then aged and bottled by Banks/DIH at Thirst Park, just outside Georgetown.

I was in Guyana in March and would have liked to visit the Diamond distillery, but it was closed for maintenance:mad:.

Thanks Berbician. Your info is correct. Going back in history there were a number of sugar factories in Guyana spanning from the Essequibo coast to the Berbice coast - almost 300 at one time. To each of these sugar factory was attached a distillery which would utilise the byproduct from the factory - molasses. Each of these distilleries produced a unique rum that was identified to the estate by its identity mark, for example ICBU to Uitvlugt, EHP to Enmore, An to Albion, PM to Port Mourant, LBI to La Bonne Intention, SWR to Skeldon to name a few. With time due to change in ownership, economic constraints and other factors, the sugar estates were consolidated and so did the distilleries. The unique thing about our operation in Guyana is that even with consolidation the important marks were maintained - either the identical mark was produced by moving the original still to the new location or by producing it on an existing still on the new location. What you would find is that even though the original distilleries are closed, the identical marks are produced at the existing distillery at Diamond. We are the only distillery in the world that has maintained quality and tradition, that is identical marks and original stills - wooden stills. This is what has made our rums so distinct as compared to others.

[El Dorado]

Thank you! I can see where the environment could be a major factor. How long are your fermentation times? Do you vary the the fermentation times to achieve different levels of aroma and flavor?

Our fermentation process takes about 24 to 26 hours for completion.

[El Dorado]

Do you use said barrels more than once?

According to our barrel policy, barrels are used for a maximum of 4 times or 25 years whichever comes first.

[El Dorado]

Now, there's just one distillery left - Diamond, East Bank Demerara - and all Demerara rum is distilled here. Even XM is distilled at Diamond, and then aged and bottled by Banks/DIH at Thirst Park, just outside Georgetown.

Please note that we are the only distillers in Guyana. Banks/DIH is a blender. Any rum that is refered to as Demerara rum MUST be distilled in Guyana in the county of Demerara.

[Tiare]

Going back in history there were a number of sugar factories in Guyana spanning from the Essequibo coast to the Berbice coast - almost 300 at one time.

I find this so incredibly fascinating..imagine there were almost 300..imagine the rums! we are lucky today that thereґs one left.

We are the only distillery in the world that has maintained quality and tradition, that is identical marks and original stills - wooden stills. This is what has made our rums so distinct as compared to others.

It really is distinct, no doubt about that. Its the best rums i`ve tasted.
I really would like to see those wooden stills.

[El Dorado]

I really would like to see those wooden stills.

You are most welcome. Take a trip to the land of El Dorado - we offer you LIQUID GOLD

[Count Silvio]

I would like to see the stills as well. A trip to the golden city does sound tempting but I'm afraid it is out of my price league. I will just have to enjoy the 15 year old liquid gold over here and perhaps one day I shall indulge in the fine pleasures of the 21 year old liquid gold.

I am interested in the story behind the name El Dorado. Was it always clear the rum would be named El Dorado or were there any alternative names suggested?

[krustykrab]

Hello and thank you so much for participating in this forum!! It is incredibly fascinating to have you here!

I have noticed that there are 2 different ED 12 bottle out there a tall, more traditional one, and a shorter, squatter one similar to your others - is there any difference in the blends, or did you just change bottles?

thanks!

[Count Silvio]

Are you perhaps refering to the King of Diamonds bottle?

[angelsword]

The wooden stills are made of local hard wood.
How are the wooden stills heated? Do you use a double boiler system? Or internal steam coils? I can't see flame applied to the outside. :confused::confused::confused:

[krustykrab]

Are you perhaps refering to the King of Diamonds bottle?

yes, it is the former king of diamonds.... is that a different blend then the new shaped bottle, or same blend, just diff bottle?

[Hank Koestner]

Thank you again for all this incredible info!

[El Dorado]

I have noticed that there are 2 different ED 12 bottle out there a tall, more traditional one, and a shorter, squatter one similar to your others - is there any difference in the blends, or did you just change bottles?

thanks!

It is just the packaging that is different. Initially we had the King of Diamond 12 years old. After the 15 years old was launched and it took the world by storm we decided to make the range hence repackaging the 12 years to extend the range of premium products, then cam the 21 and then 25.

[El Dorado]

How are the wooden stills heated? Do you use a double boiler system? Or internal steam coils? I can't see flame applied to the outside. :confused::confused::confused:

By direct steam injection through spargers.

[Rum Runner]

By direct steam injection through spargers.
For those not familiar with the term "sparger", This would indicate a series of elongated metal tubes with small holes along the length which dispense the steam to heat the liquid to be distilled.

[Tiare]

Its really some learning to do here! :)

[El Dorado]

For those not familiar with the term "sparger", This would indicate a series of elongated metal tubes with small holes along the length which dispense the steam to heat the liquid to be distilled.

Correct. Thanks Rum Runner.

[Tiare]

We are the only distillery in the world that has maintained quality and tradition, that is identical marks and original stills - wooden stills. This is what has made our rums so distinct as compared to others.

How old are the original wooden stills and how do you maintain them?

[Paulipbartender]

For those not familiar with the term "sparger", This would indicate a series of elongated metal tubes with small holes along the length which dispense the steam to heat the liquid to be distilled.

That's a gold star moment Rum Runner. Straight to the top of the class :)

[Rum Runner]

Ta Paul. El Dorado's posts have been most informative. I continue to look foward to more.

[Bluehammer]

Would love to have Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala added to the direct contact group if possible. Rumor seems that with Zaya going to Trinidad, that Zacapa may meet a similar type fate. I would be interested to know what the Guatemala producers have planned for the future, as I greatly enjoy their products.

[hdsolkds]

I would be interested to know what the Guatemala producers have planned for the future, as I greatly enjoy their products.

[Hank Koestner]

Anyone from Martinique and Guadaloupe
Appleton
Plantation

[Fabio]

Edward,
Hi...long time ago away from the forum. Too much work keeps me away of things I like.

I would like to have more information about AREHUCAS RUM form Canary Islands. I think this Rum is quite particular. I was there twice and really liked the Rum. BTW, I felt like in my country because all bars are full of Santa Teresa and Pampero :-).

Thanks for any triying,

Fabio.

PS: I am also curious about any Rum from China or Asia. I my last visit to China I was amazed about the large amount of Cognacs they sell, good ones made in China but no local Rums.

[dogfish]

Westerhall Plantation - Grenada
Barbancourte - Haiti
Zacapa - Guatemala
Cadenheads - Jamaica