When a company like Mount Gay releases a new rum, there’s a lot riding on it.

For the self-styled birthplace of rum, the epicenter of rum-making in the English-speaking Caribbean, a new rum has to honor, celebrate and, ultimately, transcend its pedigree to be judged a success.

That’s why it was such a delight to see Mount Gay’s flagship 1703 rum take home the Rum of the Year crown in last year’s Rum Awards.

But the company’s latest release takes things to a different level — the new 2017 edition of 1703.

It’s now been rebranded as the 1703 Master Select blend (it was formerly 1703 Old Cask Selection), still a blend of copper column and pot still rums from reserves ranging between 10 and 30 year-old rums.

Mount Gay Master Blender Allen Smith is the man behind this blend, which is released in just one batch each year with only 12,000 bottles distributed worldwide and sets the standard for rums in the English-speaking Caribbean and the wider region.

So what’s it like?

The color is the classic Mount Gay amber, with a light, sweet aroma.

The flavor profile is marked by almond, vanilla and caramel, nut and even a hint of marzipan.

But what sets this rum apart even from last year’s release is its exceptional lightness.

Last year’s edition was a bit more robust, a bit bolder, a bit, dare we say, rougher around the edges.

This one is exquisitely smooth, harmoniously balanced and almost impossibly delicate.

It’s the latter that’s remarkable for a rum — it achieves transcendence through its delicacy, melding flavor and texture into a new kind of dimensionality for rum.

It’s an impressive feat.

In short, the newest 1703 is a masterwork — and it lives up to the legacy of Sir John Gay Alleyne.

— CJ

The post Rum Journal: Mount Gay 1703 Master Select appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Viceroy Hotel Group today announced the segmentation of its portfolio into three tiers: The Viceroy Icon Collection, The Viceroy Lifestyle Series and Urban Retreat Collection.

The group says the new structure is a natural evolution for the modern luxury brand, and that it will help guests find what they are looking for more easily.

“We celebrate the differences in our portfolio and know that our guests love diversity, authenticity and personality,” said Kelly Kang, AVP of Brand Management at VHG. “The introduction of our new brand architecture offers an intuitive way to choose a Viceroy destination that fits the unique personality of our guests and their vibe.”

The Icon Collection features properties with a dramatic flair set in breathtaking destinations, including Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in St. Lucia, Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai.

The Lifestyle Series hotels revolve around the “needs and desires of the modern traveler.”

Locations include Viceroy Santa Monica and Viceroy Central Park New York.

The Urban Retreat Collection is made up of boutique hotels, each with their own identity.

Locations included Hotel Zelos San Francisco, Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco, and Cassa Hotel New York.

The post Viceroy Launches New Brand Tiers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Air carrier Allegiant has named a new executive vice president and chief marketing officer: Ponder Harrison.

The travel industry veteran has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry.

“Ponder is one of only a handful of people who have founded or helped start multiple successful low-cost carriers,” said Allegiant President John Redmond. “He is a well-known airline industry veteran and a proven business innovator – and as one of Allegiant’s original founders has a deep understanding of our company. His broad leadership skills, entrepreneurial experience and technology background are an ideal fit for the business at this particular time in our life cycle.”

Allegiant, which is based in Las Vegas, is focused on connecting smaller cities to popular leisure destinations.

It has been expanding in the Caribbean, most recently with flights to Puerto Rico out of three airports.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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The cruise industry isn’t slowing down — whether it’s a host of small-ship lines ramping up stops to Cuba or the entry of new players like Virgin Voyages. But what’s next for the Caribbean, a market where, by recent estimates, the cruise industry generated almost $3.2 billion in direct expenditures annually?

To learn more, Caribbean Journal Editor in Chief Alexander Britell caught up with cruise industry thought leader Dylan Wills of Wilson Associates, who addressed the state of the industry, the potential impact of Virgin Voyages and the state of Caribbean cruising.

What’s the state of the Caribbean cruise industry?

The Caribbean has always been a very successful and amazingly popular location, but recently has seen an increase in competition as more exotic destinations become increasingly accessible. As cruise ships themselves develop and transform, their land-based counterparts need to follow suit. It is important for a cruise destination such as the Caribbean to look at new ways to attract visitors and prominently display its culture and heritage. As a designer, I take inspiration from the local culture and beautiful landscape of the cruise’s destinations, and do my best to incorporate that  into my ship designs, allowing the traveler to experience the destination on a deeper level.

How are cruise companies looking at the Caribbean differently?

The Caribbean has always been seen as an accessible luxury cruise location. One does not have to take large amounts holiday time to have an amazing Caribbean cruise. Due to its proximity to South America, travelers can easily visit the region’s beautiful destinations and amazing environments from the Caribbean. As people travel farther  for their holidays, they expect more from their experience. Cruise operators are investing in local infrastructure to encourage travel, and the environment globally to ensure that these stunning destination are maintained for generations to come.

Dylan Wills.

With the entry of cruise lines like Fathom, are cruise lines looking for different kinds of travelers or will that remain a niche market?

The cruise industry is creating new and innovative ways in which to encourage new guests. Of course, the best thing about introducing new guests, is that it gives you an opportunity to retain them as loyal customers, who will visit many destinations and have many different experiences with different brands within the same group of companies. Fathom presents  an amazing approach to cruising, in  that it immerses its guests into a real world cultural experience. Guests can visit local schools and help teach, visit villages and contribute to daily activities all while learning directly from local residents about their culture. This is a truly immersive experience, which allows you to see any destination in a very different way.

Are there any Caribbean terminals that need work?

Every global cruise terminal should grow and develop during its life. Terminals should not be viewed as a location for transiting, but should instead be considered part of the overall guest experience. They should be designed to function efficiently while conveying a sense of excitement and adventure to travelers, evoking a feeling of adventure and curiosity. Cruise terminals should also display a high level of local cultural influence.

Terminals should not be viewed as a location for transiting, but should instead be considered part of the overall guest experience.”

What do guests expect from a Caribbean cruise today that they didn’t five years ago?

The ships themselves have changed enormously over the past five years and will continue to evolve in the years to come. The shape of the ship, the way it operates, the guest experience, and the activities aboard have all seen significant improvement.

Wilson Associates has always believed that design should be an experience and an adventure within a larger story. Our designs are created from stories to provide a more fluid and enjoyable experience. We concentrate on the local environment, drawing inspiration from geography as well as cultures. As the functionality of cruise ships progresses , so do  the designs and the incorporation  of local cultural elements allowing guests to engage with and  learn about the Caribbean.

Luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas continue to show growth.

The Caribbean has always been seen a luxury destination and an area of outstanding natural beauty. As the cruise industry expands, so does the luxury experience. Shore trips and local entertainment pay a large role with the Caribbean cruise, whilst providing an equal balance of new and innovative ship based activities.

How do you think Virgin will impact the cruise market?

Virgin Voyages introduced itself into the industry as an innovative solution to bridge a gap in the market –  Millennials. This strategy will benefit the entire industry, drawing younger guests to cruise and allowing them to grow with age into more varied experiences. Each sector of the cruise industry has its unique approach: family cruises, expedition cruises, world explorer cruises, etc. Virgin Voyages will bring in a new age of travel consumers who may not have taken a cruise otherwise.

The post The State of the Caribbean Cruise Industry appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s no secret that Caribbean hotels struggled last year, due to a number of factors from the growth of Cuba to the threat of Zika.

Indeed, hotel occupancy in the region fell by 2.2 percent last year, with negative growth in hotel occupancy in every month but September.

That trend has continued into 2017, with a 2.4 percent year-over-year decline in hotel occupancy last month and a 0.9 percent decline last month, according to data from STR, a data and analytics specialist.

But the latter number could herald improvement — that was actually the smallest monthly decline since last August.

And average daily rates and revenue per available rooms also saw their smallest declines since August, meaning either the decline is slowing or the trend is actually reversing.

Here’s hoping it’s the latter.

— Alexander Britell

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