By Alexander Britell

There is an entry point for every rum aficionado.

Seldom does a rum lover begin his or her journey in the world of rum with a rare agricole, or a limited-batch hidden-cask expression.

There are rums like Bacardi 8 (the first rum I ever started to enjoy regularly, back when the choices at the bar were largely nonexistent) or Ron Zacapa, rums that are sufficiently widely distributed — and of high enough quality, that they give access — they are the gateway. They make people realize that rum is more than just an ingredient in a Cuba Libre.

Now, this is not to say that Ron Zacapa is not a fine rum — indeed, even many rum lovers consider it among their favorites.

But the rum world is still esoteric for many; the idea of “premium” rum still very much a nascent niche (one we have long been fighting to grow here at Rum Journal).

Another common entry point rum is Ron Diplomatico, a premium rum from Venezuela that is complex, sweet and well branded and often leads drinkers of other spirits to stop and say, “wait, rum tastes like this?”

Ron Diplomatico has, fairly or unfairly, become too sweet for some more enlightened rum drinkers, a rum with which to begin a rum journey but not one to take along the road.

Of course, this view can also lead to unfortunate rum snobbery — even if it’s too sweet for some, it can play a crucial rule in helping convert more drinkers from other spirits to rum — something that should not be ignored.

But Ron Diplomatico has been quietly expanding its portfolio, perhaps in a nod to these same critics.

The latest result is this: the Distillery collection, a range of rums made with specific stills that produce decidedly different expressions.

We recently tried the Diplomatico No. 2 Barbet, a rum made from the company’s Barbet copper column still that was brought to Diplomatico’s distillery in Venezuela in 1959, with the rum aged (although the aging duration is not provided) in American oak.

So what is it like?

The Diplomatico Barbet has a robust aroma of tangerine, spice and apricot, with a flavor profile marked by anise, orange peel and vanilla, with a hint of smokiness.

This isn’t as full-bodied as the brand’s most popular Reserva Exclusiva; it’s better balanced, with a rounder, velvety finish and even a hint of smokiness.

Yes, it’s still sweet, but decidedly less so. What it does have is Diplomatico’s trademark drinkability.

Diplomatico is an important rum brand, and sweetness is still very much a matter of taste. Let’s not forget that all of us who love rum began our journey with something we may not be drinking today. And some of us are still drinking it. Because everyone’s taste is different.

And if you’re at a bar in a city where rum is an unknown thing, and there’s Diplomatico at the bar, you’d take a Diplomatico every time. I know I would.

And as for the Diplomatico Barbet, this is a very good rum.

No matter where you are on your rum journey.

Rum Journal Rating: 90 Points

The post Rum Journal: The Newest Ron Diplomatico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Luxury hotel brand Rosewood is set to unveil the results of a dramatic reimagination of the former Rosewood Tucker’s Point.

The relaunched property, now known as Rosewood Bermuda, is in the final stages of a $25 million renovation project that includes a complete redesign of the hotel’s guest rooms.

The renovation is also upgrading Rosewood Bermuda’s beach club, golf clubhouse and Sense spa, along with an enhanced meeting space and new food and beverage concepts.

The property is slated to reopen in April, according to the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Rosewood Bermuda has long been one of the top hotels in Bermuda.

— CJ

The post Rosewood Set to Relaunch in Bermuda appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the coolest spots in Jamaica is getting even cooler.

The Skylark Negril Beach Resort, the sister property to Negril’s nearby Rockhouse Hotel, is slated to open soon on Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach.

The quirky, colorful hotel will have a similar vibe to that of the beloved Rockhouse, with a collection of 28 rooms designed in a playful, bright style.

Every room will have air conditioning, a king-sized bed, a fully-stocked mini-bar and free Wi-Fi.

And then there are the dining concepts, ranging from a jerk BBQ grilling station to a bar filled with rums from around the Caribbean.

There will also be a spa helmed by international spa consultant Linda Hall, with treatments that can also be expanded with a day trip to the Rockhouse Spa.

For more information, visit Skylark.

— CJ

The post A Cool New Resort Is Coming to Negril: Skylark appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport is seeing a passenger boom, according to new data.

The airport has seen a record-breaking December and January, with arrivals higher than pre-recession levels.

That amounted to 151,454 passengers in December and 140,314 in January, with preliminary numbers for March showing a 24 percent increase in arrivals compared to 2017.

“The strong increase in air travel to LPIA is excellent news,” said Vernice Walkine, CEO of the Nassau Airport Development Company, which manages Lynden Pindling Airport. “While we are handling more passengers than ever before, we are also pleased that enhanced systems including pre-clearance check-in kiosks have made the LPIA experience smooth, efficient and enjoyable for passengers from around the world.”

Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas.

Officials pointed to several factors to explain the uptick, from the return of Sunwing Airlines to the destination to an overall increase in airlift from carriers like Southwest Airlines.

As for the impact of the new Baha Mar resort, NAD officials said the “Baha Mar factor has yet to be quantified,” but that nearly every US airline has added seats in anticipation of the project’s ramped up marketing blitz.

The post Nassau’s Airport Is Setting New Passenger Records appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Alexander Britell

One of the hippest corners of the Caribbean has a serious new addition: the Serafina Beach Hotel, a 96-room stunner in the heart of the Condado neighborhood in San Juan.

Puerto Rico’s first new hotel opening of 2018 is the first-ever hotel by the popular Serafina Restaurant Group, best known for its New York-area Italian eateries.

The Serafina has a mix of rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of either the Condado Lagoon or the Atlantic.

Dining options range from the aMare restaurant to the “By the Pool,” a beachfront poolside lounge and the PiñaCo bar, offering everything from coffee to rum.

“Expanding the Serafina brand into a lifestyle hotel experience is a natural fit and next step for my partner Fabio Granato and I. San Juan is a city close to our hearts and we could think of no better place to bring to life the essence of Serafina in a hotel experience. We look forward to welcoming guests to our beautiful island, which is open for business,” said Vittorio Assaf, Serafina Restaurant Group Co-Owner. “Serafina Beach Hotel really captures the energy of the Condado district with stylish lounges, sleek guestrooms and signature Serafina hospitality.”

Condado has quietly become one of the Caribbean’s capitals of cool, thanks in large part to the existing O:live Boutique Hotel, which is working on a new project of its own called O:LV 55, slated to debut this summer.

That property, along with the luxe Condado Vanderbilt, an impressive slate of high-level restaurants and a broad portfolio of luxury shopping boutiques, have helped turn Condado into Puerto Rico’s destination-within-a-destination.

The post Serafina Beach Hotel Opens in San Juan, Puerto Rico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico