Other spiritual interests?

[Matusalem]

It seems like at least several of us have other interests besides sugar cane products. I thought it would be nice to hear who has interests in what - maybe we'll learn how/if those interests mingle with cane interests or see what interests we share.

Here's my story and I'm sticking to it! :

I had my first taste of rum roughly 22 years ago (don't tell anyone though, as I didn't quite have credentials to know firsthand what rum was at that time):eek:

However, at that time I definitely was NOT an enthusiast of any spirit in particular. My affair with rum from that time until about maybe 7-8 years ago was I'd say warm and off & on at best. Around 1995ish I gained some interest in single malts and by 1997 began to gain more interest in American whiskey. During that time forward, whiskies have taken-off and gone to new dimensions. It looks like since I've gained the ron bug, rum is taking off in the same manner. I guess I have good timing karma in that sense.

What I recall really got me into rum from a more enthused aspect was around 2001 I bumped into some Ron Matusalem rum (not the Dominican manufactured) but the older version from Florida. With the exception of La Flor de Caсa 12, and rums I was able to taste abroad that I had no chance of obtaining at home, this was pretty much the first rum I tasted that I thought was premium or upper shelf quality. I guess LFdC as a brand has been so readily available for so long (in my household) that I don't quite have the same appreciation I believe others exhibit... you know what happens when you're allowed to take something for granted, for a long time.:rolleyes:

Since that time, I've been lucky in that either my taste has changed to tolerate sugar cane crap <lol> or sugar cane products have come a long way (domestically) in terms of products available that grab my attention. I tend to think it's the latter as the spiked pirates' punch phenomenon has been matched by the jazzy, socially sipping enthusiast contingency.

Anyway all of the above is to say that I maintain an interest level in whisk(e)y that pre-dates but is of a similar level to that of sugar cane products. I also have a limited interest in beers (much of which is foreign or small craft). I'm not sure but tend to think my appreciation for whisk(e)y taught me some things about what "premium" (generically speaking) tastes like, and thus probably helped me to appreciate rum to the capacity to date.

What else do you guys enjoy besides sitting on the beach all day surrounded or buried in empty bottles of rum?

[Dood]

I used to be very enthusiastic about gin. I can't claim any sort of noble reason for this...I found that I liked it and that none of my friends liked it, so - being in my early 20's - drinking gin was a good way to make sure that no one else ever stole my drink.

When I started traveling a lot for business, I started migrating up the shelf-ladder for my spirits. Gin had to be Tanqueray 10 or Bombay Sapphire. Vodka had to be Grey Goose. I pretty much stuck to the clear spirits except for rum. With rum, I didn't start moving up the shelves until the last few years. Even though I'd insist that my vodka must be from the top shelf, I thought nothing of drinking Captain Morgan. I knew I didn't like Bacardi.

I never really cared for whiskey. I didn't really care for beer.

Over the past 5 years or so, my palate has really changed. I started finding beers that I enjoyed. I even found the occasional whiskey that I could handle.

Then I got in to rum thanks to a trip to St. Lucia and a bottle of Admiral Rodney.

Since then, I'm mostly rum, and I've found myself almost completely shunning the more neutral spirits (I can't remember the last time I drank vodka). I am branching out though.

I've started dabbling in brandy and cognac. I've found more whiskeys that I enjoy. I've started even getting more and more in to beer.

A friend of mine brews his own beer and has been having a ton of fun with it. I helped him make a batch recently and I was hooked right there. My brother and I are taking up the hobby.

I tend to like wheat beers and lagers...not a fan of most pilsners. A good schwartzbier is always welcome. Not big on stouts, although I do enjoy Murphy's.

Rum is still my favorite though. It's so varied and has so few rules to it. I also love the history behind it...and - let's be honest - it has the best "source locations" to visit.

[Tiare]

Apart from rum...some tequila..wine and beer sometimes..whisky, well, maybe occasionally..

I like to paint, and what i paint is always a reflexion of my life-long interest for the tropical nature, especially tropical plants and flowers. I have also as long as I can remember been interested in Polynesia, especially "French" Polynesia and have been reading books about those islands for many years. My interest for tropical plants and flowers also made me start growing orchids 11 years ago. I grow them in a large wardian case in my bedroom next to my tikibar.
Another thing iґm interested in is spicy cooking. I have more interests in life but that would take too much space here to talk about everything..

Here is a link to a pic of my orchid case, scroll down the page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13618264@N08/

[Paulipbartender]

Rum isn't exclusively what we do here. IPBartenders is a spirits and cocktail bartender training facility dedicated to the whole industry.....although we can get very rum focussed sometimes!

We've been going for 9 years now although the founders of the company are no long with us. My business partner and I bought out IPB 18 months ago and inherited the largest private library of drinks and bartending books in the UK, some dating back to the mid 1800's http://www.ipbartenders.com/books.phtml. We also inherited a collection of over 1000 different spirits, encompassing a pretty damn good selection - 200 whiskies, now 240 rums 80 vodkas and everything in between.

Our bar has the advantage of being unlicensed - we're not allowed to sell booze, only give it away, which we do with abandon. We host seminars, parties, bar skills and tasting classes, develop new cocktails, use the bar for filming and photography - all sorts really.

It would be fair to say we have a large number of 'Spiritual Interests'!!

[Dood]

Nice orchids!

I can't grow anything. I not only have a black thumb, my thumb-print is a skull and crossbones.

[Paulipbartender]

Tiare - do you have pictures of your tiki bar?

[Jerry]

Rum is my spirit of choice which I only began to research in depth a couple years ago, but I also enjoy whisky based liquors, dark ales/stouts/porters, and am exploring red wines.

Paul...that's an impressive collection of rums!

Tiare...I would also like to see your Tiki bar.

[Rumpelteazer]

Aside from rum, I am primarily a wine drinker.

I have several relatives in/from Scotland, and about a dozen bottles of single malt in my bar, but I never really developed an affinity for whiskey. I will drink it when a guest does, but that's about all.

I have zero interest in gin, vodka, or tequila. I seldom drink beer, though I have been spotted enjoying a Guinness or Smithwicks while on that side of the pond.

Wine is another story. I have built a small wine cellar in my basement (~200 bottles) and drink it with dinner 2-3 times per week. I strongly prefer dry wines (interesting because I have an otherwise sweet tooth) and enjoy many of the more unusual varietals from Italy, Spain, and Argentina.

I live in the middle of the second largest grape growing region in the US, encompassing northern Ohio, northwest PA, and western NY (the finger lakes region). Much of this production goes to jelly and juice, but a number of small vineyards have begun producing some interesting reislings, viogners, and pinot noirs along with the usual range of chardonnays and cabernets.

[Tiare]

Pauls collection of rums really is impressive!

Sorry guys, have no photos of my little tiki bar but I can try to fix that sometimes. I have no camera now, it crashed. Its not a large tiki bar with thached roof, large wooden pooles, blowfish lamps or anything, its a very modest little "bar", its placed in a very small room.
But I need to make it larger...

[RobertBurr]

Here in our little town, I publish the guide to Coral Gables (http://www.greatgables.com), lead groups on Wine Walking (http://www.winewalk.net) tours

[Hank Koestner]

Over the years it has been Scotch, and I went through a Tequila period quite a few years ago. I have never been an aficianado of either, but I tasted many different ones that were available at the time. I had tasted some premium rums along the way and they were my favorite, but I gave up because for a long time you could not find very many decent rums. I started to travel to the Islands about 10 years ago, but more frequently in the last 3 - 4 years. I began to really look for rums , and then all of a sudden they became more available. The rest is history.
I do enjoy a well made spirit, and will have a glass of Scotch, Tequila or Whiskey from time to time. I recently visited my favorite liqour store, and he gave me a taste of a whiskey called Buffalo Trace, and it was very good.
No beer, except on rare occasion, don't care for it.
I have always been a wine drinker, and I always have a good selection of wine at home. I consume wine with food frequently.
The thing is, we are at a time where there are many, many well made spirits available. Much to choose from.
Rum though, is my first love, and that is where my interest and tastes lie.

[angelsword]

I must admit that I do have another love. I love the Agave spirits... mezcal, tequila, and sotol.

[Rum Runner]

In the early 70's when I was not able to legally partake, wine was the driving force for me into the realm.

My father and an Italian friend of his had a small but well picked collection of wine from the classic areas. I was let to taste at dinner gatherings and when they "retired to the cellar". I was fascinated!

In the summer of '77 (much to my parents dismay) I quit my job and took the summer to tour Europe. Started In the British Isles (I love Ale) and then through Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Over to Italy and Germany, finally returning to Ireland for my trip back home...Eating and drinking my way along the beer and wine routes. I did manage to to see some of the historical sites along the way. I traveled alone..and have never regretted it.

So I was off and running. I then moved to Seattle, WA from Western Ma.
(yup Scottes..I'm a Masshole too!) and worked for a winery as a cellar rat and learned the trade.


My introduction to spirits began there. Wine based at first of course. Brandy, Cognac etc. And that lead to Single malts, Bourbons, with a trifling at esoteric Rums that Daryll Corti of Sacramento was bringing in at the time.

I have always gravitated to spirits that show regional character. In my experience, most of those have not been white. But examples of Eau de Vie from different European countries..as well as unaged Rhum Agricole have allowed my eyes, and palate, to be opened once again.

Now, down here on this rock, Rum of a certain color is the favored vice, though I still appreciate wine often. And I still love a good pint of Ale. I was a full mash brewer for a stretch in Seattle.

I'd say, take it any way you like it..As long as you love it.

[Tiare]

Very nice pictures from the coral reef!:)

[bluewave6]

In addition to rum, I enjoy sipping good tequila and some bourbons. I also also keep a decent selection of wines on hand as well. Some times a good Pino Noir hits the spot after a frustrating day of work at the office.

I also have a passion for flyfishing and cooking spicy dishes.

[Count Silvio]

My first love is rum but as far back as I can remember I've always liked whiskey and bourbon which is my second love which I also write reviews of. (http://www.refinedvices.com/content/blogcategory/18/38/) I'm sure I'd also expand my interest into tequilas if we had any good ones available.

[JMac]

Growing up in Nova Scotia rum was king and as such I love it. Generally speaking I have almost no interest in tequila, gin, beer, or whiskey except at social functions (BBQ, family get together, etc).

Now having said that my wife is a wine fan and has introduced me to red wine. I generally favor pinot noir or merlot. Furthermore the brother in law is from the Southern US and has introduced me to some good bourbon.

Overall though I'm a rum guy through and through.

[Lew Barrett]

My other interests include taking care of and using this old girl:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/LewBarrett/RitaSlowsV-05.jpg

A bit of woodworking (always done stone cold sober)

Hanging with these people:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/LewBarrett/thecrew.jpg (VERY old photo)

and this guy:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/LewBarrett/yuffy.jpg

and running around on this from time to time:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/LewBarrett/R1200GS-red.jpg

Rum is my only real "spirit" interest, but of the spiritual ones, being with my family takes top billing. Being with my wife on our boat comes in a close second. I do love my woodworking shop and riding a motorcycle, but I find less time for those things these days. The boat and all things "boaty" take up a huge amount of my spare energy after work and family.

My family is musical as well, and I do enjoy their talents, but I have few of my own to share in that respect. Supporting them in their music qualifies as a spiritual quest in it's own right though.

[Mr Fjeld]

Nice photos Lew :) Thanks for sharing! Your family look very happy and your boat is simply gorgeous!!! It reminds me of Key Largo with Humphrey Bogart - a real classic motor boat! Nice doggy too!

[Hank Koestner]

Great pics Lew, and a beautiful family! And your boat is incredible!!
Thank you for sharing.

[Tiare]

Nice photos Lew :) Thanks for sharing! Your family look very happy and your boat is simply gorgeous!!! It reminds me of Key Largo with Humphrey Bogart - a real classic motor boat! Nice doggy too!

I really agree..:)

That boat picture makes me start deaming..

[Lew Barrett]

Thanks guys. You're very kind.:o

The boat has been a 14 year labor and, as anybody with a boat knows, is a "two steps forward and one back" affair. I work on it much more than I will ever use it; it's a "Sysiphean" labor. It's a great passion and you're all welcome on it if you ever get to Seattle. We love to share it, and needless to say, it's a great place to enjoy rum and cigars. That's probably it's best and highest use! The dog is another member of the family. Really sweet guy; like all great dogs, he's a rescued animal.
The picture of my family is very old. I won't put up the latest one I have of all of us (and it is ten years newer) because "it makes my butt look fat." :D
Rum has become another favorite activity. I like it because all you have to do is drink it and talk about it:D
Buying it and bringing it home is fun, too.
.

[Don Piero]

My spirit of choice is and always will be single malt whisky which I have continued to enjoy since the 80's. I belong to the Companions of the Quaich www.thequaich.com and attend most monthly tastings in Toronto. Single malts give me the greatest pleasure which just totally soothes my mind - to me this is the nobelist of drinks.

Rums are a new discovery for me as of October 2007 when a friend "Mini-Wheat" introduced me to his bottle of Flor de Cana Centenario 21 (15yo); I was stunned on how smooth and good tasting it was. I immediately bought the El Dorado 21yo, and the Pyrat XO Reserve and have since added the Flor de Cana 18yo, Flor de Cana Centenario 21, the El Dorado 15yo and the Pampero Seleccion 1938.

My current favourite Rum is the El Dorado 21yo but am enjoying the Pampero Seleccion 1938 which is an outstanding rum. The Ron Zacapa 23yo is almost at my doorstep (a rum runnner friend is bringing it over from the US) - I have never had so much anticipation to try a spirit as this, mainly due to this board - I hope I won't be disappointed.