Orlando's First Premier Rum tasting

[Hank Koestner]

The date is set: Friday June 6 at Joseph's Liquor Store. I will post more info later.

[RobertBurr]

Congratulations! I support your effort. Let me know if there's any way I can help. Shall I send some rum guides to give away to all your attendees?

[Hank Koestner]

Thank you so much, Robert. I may pick your brain a little.Yes, I would love some of the rum guides!

[The Rum Ambassador]

Great job Hank, Spread the gospel....

[Freeki_Tiki]

I was just there last week. I just blogged about my purchases, Saint James Extra Old, Santa Theresa 1796, and El Dorado 15. See if you can get em to open some of the El Dorado 25 they have in the case. I hope to be there, but it all depends on if I am in Melbourne, FL for work then.

[Edward Hamilton]

I wish I could be there, it sounds like a good time. Unfortunately I can't be in two places at the same time.

[Hank Koestner]

Hopefully this will go well and there will be one for you to attend in the future.

As far as the ED 25 goes, there is only one bottle in the case at quite a high sum.

[Rum Runner]

Those of us waylaid in the West Indies look forward to hearing of the results of your tasting Hank.

[Hank Koestner]

There is no such thing as being waylaid in the West Indies, my friend!

[Rum Runner]

There is no such thing as being waylaid in the West Indies, my friend!

Hank, Of all people, I thought I could trust you not to dispel my myth.;)

[Hank Koestner]

Once the final list of rums is complete, I will post them. This is a tasting open to the public, where they can taste rums and purchase what they like. There won't be any results, as there won't be any competition. I will let everyone know how it goes, the turn out and response. I will also let everyone know what rums were the favorites of the public. That will be interesting.

[Hank Koestner]

Location: Joseph's Liquor Store
6203-C Sand Lake road, Orlando.
On the corner of Universal Blvd. and Sand Lake road.
call 407 351 4470, or send me a PM for more info.

Here is the list of rums and rhums at the tasting:

Rhum JM: Blanc, Amber, Special Reserve, 1997

Ron Zacapa: 15 and 23

Zaya Gran Reserva

Vizcaya

Mount Gay: Eclipse, XO and Sugar Cane Rum

El Dorado 5 and 15 (no 12 available)

Flor de Cana 7, 12 and 18

We chose these rums because there is something for everyone, and many of these will be enjoyed by those new or newer to rum, and those old rumheads.
We will even have some mixers, so those who enjoy a basic cocktail can try some of these. I wanted to have the first tasting with a number of rums that are easily enjoyed.

Big thanks to Robert Burr for sending rum guides for the tasting.

There will be food, and an additional 10% discount on rums purchased that night. And I, at some point, will demonstrate the Ti Punch!

[Tiare]

I wish i could be there! why is that pond in the way..............!!!

A rum that i would like to taste is Rhum JM Special Reserve, 1997.

[Hank Koestner]

Pack your bag, Tiare, I am sending my private jet to pick you up!:rolleyes:
( I guess I should not have had the 3rd, or was it the 4th? Ti Punch):eek:

[Michael]

If you make a great circle, perhaps you can come pick me up as well. I'd welcome a chance to try the JM line in particular. (Blame the DR tasting flight tonight; loved the first kiss of Barcelo Imperial).

[RobertBurr]

the birth of a legend... Hank's first rum tasting event is set to be a great success for the folks that attend, for the store, for the rum brands, distributors and all involved.

[Hank Koestner]

Just one more quick reminder for anyone interested in the tasting tonight, those of you in striking distance to Orlando!!

[Freeki_Tiki]

Hank,
I hope the event went well for you. I am hoping you guys left some rum on the shelves as I am passing through Orlando on Monday and plan on stocking up a bit.

[RobertBurr]

Hank, how about a report?

[Hank Koestner]

Well, we had very good results for the first time out. First, there was no Zacapa or Zaya, as Diagio does not give promo bottles for tastings, and the distributor for Zaya did not respond. But, ED sent the 12 which originally we thought we would have 5 and 15 only. I would say we had 60 to 70 people come through the tasting, from 6 until 9, with 23 bottles of rum sold.
The winner: El Dorado 12 with 6 bottles. Overall the ED rums sold the best, followed by Flor de Cana and Mount Gay. I demonstrated the Ti Punch at least 3 times using Rhum JM Blanc. I think we sold 1 or 2 bottles of agricole.
Bottles in the 20 to 30 dollar range sold the best, but once they got closer to 40, it did seem price was an issue. The next few months are somewhat slower in sales according to Kurt, so we plan to do the next tasting in early October, with a better promotion. I spent the whole night talking about rum, was able to answer all questions(I studied up on the rums before hand). Interesting to note that the distributors sent reps that had hardly any knowledge of rum at all. In the mix of people, I would say there were about 20 or 25 who had a decent backround in rum, and about 10 who were very knowledgable, which made for great conversation. A great night, all in all. And Robert, everyone loves the rum guides!