Another limited edition, another hit.

The Hemingway Rum Company’s Papa’s Pilar Rum has debuted another limited-edition expression: Platinum Blonde.

It’s remarkable to think about how far the company has come since it first launched in 2013 with its blonde and dark expressions, from opening its distillery in Key West last year to its superb sherry-finish limited release last summer.

And now Pilar is at it again with the 2,000-case release of Platinum Blonde.

While this is the same core blend of five rums from the Caribbean, Central America and the United States, it’s a totally different expression.

The company used different quantities of each of the rums (which range from two-to-seven year bottlings), varied the cooperage, the temperature, among other changes.

Crucially, this is a higher-proof rum, bottled at 46 degrees instead of the company’s traditional 42.

So what’s it like?

It’s got an aroma of key lime, toffee, tropical fruit and a hint of vanilla.

The flavor profile is marked by vanilla, mango, stone fruit and a whisper of black pepper.

Thanks to the higher proof, the finish is bold but ultra smooth.

This is meant to be a Cuban-style rum, lighter in body, drier and a bit bolder than the Pilar you’re used to – and it succeeds.

It’s a truly different rum, sophisticated but playful, grown-up but without any compromise on the drinkability that makes Oilar’s rums so good year after year.

In short, it’s a standout, a terrific sipper and perhaps even better in a cocktail like a daiquiri.

Rum Journal Review: 93 Points

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: The New “Platinum Blonde” from Papa’s Pilar appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

It isn’t just the Caribbean’s best sailing destination — it’s one of its greatest food getaways, too.

And that’s always been true for travelers in the know — whether you’re downing a massive lobster at the Big Bamboo on Anegada, having an unforgettable dinner at the Sugar Mill or going on a gastronomic journey at the Dove in Tortola.

The Baths on Virgin Gorda.

There’s something for every kind of food lover in this spectacular archipelago, where the story is authentic dishes, miraculously fresh seafood (particularly lobster) and some serious mixology, too.

And the British Virgin Islands is again putting its culinary excellence and diversity on display this fall with its annual BVI Food Fete, a month-long extravaganza that is one of the great foodie experiences in the Caribbean.

The Taste of Virgin Gorda will feature everything from a chef cook-off to awards for best food and best drink, among others.

The festival begins Oct. 27 with Gourmet for a Cause, a beach dinner featuring dishes prepared by top chefs and bartenders from far and wide. It’s followed by the Taste of Tortola on Nov. 3; the Jost Pork Festival on Jost Van Dyke Nov. 11; the Taste of Virgin Gorda Nov.17 and the Cooper Island Rum Festival Nov. 18, with the latter set at one of the Caribbean’s top rum bars.

Then there’s what’s almost certainly the most celebrated stop on the agenda: the Anegada Lobster Festival, Nov. 24-26, which brings chefs together to prepare lobster dishes across the island of Anegada, the Caribbean’s undisputed lobster capital.

Lobster is abundant on Anegada.

There will also be a series of bar crawls as part of the festival, with the Jost Crawl on Jost Van Dyke on Nov. 11, and the On the Rocks Crawl on Virgin Gorda Nov. 17. (Anegada will have a “lobster crawl” of its own on Nov. 23 during the festival.”

A stop at the Soggy Dollar is a must on Jost.

Transportation will be abundant, with ferries running across the BVI and sailing out of the USVI as well.

And the British Virgin Islands’ hotels continue to come back strong, from the beautiful Guana Island to the aforementioned Cooper Island Beach Club to the terrific Anegada Beach Club, which includes its own beachfront glamping tents.

It’s a month of authentic, high-level culinary events that celebrate the British Virgin Islands’ heritage, flavors and traditions, a chance to do more than island hop – to get a taste of so many of the wonderful little islands that make up the BVI.

For more, visit the BVI Food Fete.

The post The British Virgin Islands’ Big Culinary Festival appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce. The island’s … researchers estimated that 4,600 Puerto Ricans died in the months after … , projections show that one-third of Puerto Rico’s population will be 60 … long-term nursing home care in Puerto Rico.
KHN senior correspondent Sarah Varney …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Planet Hollywood is going all-inclusive.

The brand has announced its first foray into the all-inclusive market with the planned launch of the Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Costa Rica.

The resort, which will be set on the Gulf of Papagayo in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste, will open Oct. 1, according to the company.

The all-inclusive Planet Hollywood will include 294 suites on a hillside location.

Amenities will range from a Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint to a PUMPED Fitness Center and a PH Spa and Beauty Bar.

The resort will also feature two pools and a hot tub.

The brand’s launch is the product of a partnership with Sunwing first announced earlier this year.

Another Planet Hollywood is slated to open in Cancun next year.

For more, visit Planet Hollywood Costa Rica.

— CJ

The post Planet Hollywood Hotel Coming to Costa Rica This Fall appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

A major real estate project is coming to Grand Cayman’s Camana Bay mixed-use development.

Dart Real Estate and NCB Group have entered into a joint venture partnership to develop the first for-sale residential community in Camana Bay, the two companies announced.

The residential development will be located south of Camana Bay Town Centre and next to the Cayman International School.

“This partnership is a demonstration of both organisations’ track record of creating developments that reflect quality construction, sustainability and thoughtful design. We look forward to collaborating with NCB Group to meet the demand for residential offerings in Camana Bay,” said Dart Real Estate President Jackie Doak. “This project is another example of the town centre’s growth as it continues to cater to those who want to live and work in an amenity-rich community that provides direct connectivity to the world-class Seven Mile Beach.”

Camana Bay, which first launched in the Cayman Islands 10 years ago, has grown into a full-fledged community hub for Grand Cayman, with everything from high-end eateries to designer shops to a movie theater complex.

The new development will feature units from one-bedroom condos to four-bedroom townhouses, with local architectural firm TRIO Architecture tapped for the project.

Sales will launch in the fourth quarter of this year, while the first phase of construction is slated to begin in the first half of 2019.

“As the Camana Bay community continues to grow with the expansion of CIS, construction of the new Foster’s Food Fair supermarket and a planned five-star resort, a joint venture agreement with NCB Group further diversifies the development of the town centre at this important juncture in Camana Bay’s history with its first for-sale residences,” said Dart Senior Vice President of Development Justin Howe.

— CJ

The post How to Live at Camana Bay appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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