Miami Rum Renaissance Festival

Annual Miami Rum Fest

Schedule:

12:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m: Miami Rum Fest Seminar Day at Marriott Courtyard Coral Gables
The annual Rum Renaissance Festival is the place to learn about rum with outstanding Rum Seminars. In addition to copious opportunities to taste, discern and discover the best rums, attendees of the world’s most interesting rum festival are invited to sign up for informative, entertaining and illuminating rum seminars and expert classes taught by some of the leading experts in the world.

12:30 p.m - 1:30 p.m: The Cave Above The Clouds: Production and Aging Techniques of Guatemala’s Legendary Cane Spirits with Laura Vasquez
An update on the legendary rums of Guatemala, produced by the Botran Family’s Licores de Guatemala under the direction of Master Blender Lorena Vásquez. The iconic Zacapa brand of rum, produced from sugar cane honey in the Tululá region near the Pacific ocean is fermented, distilled and aged high above the clouds in the volcanic region of Quetzaltenango. Since it’s debut in 1976, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the town of Zacapa, (the name refers to the Aztec words "on the river of grass") this world-renowned spirit has captured the attention of rum enthusiasts around the globe. Today, more than 700 female weavers produce the distinguished petate weave of palm leaves that symbolizes the ancient culture of this tropical region. An overview of all the expressions and notes on their production techniques will be revealed.

2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m: Tiki Evolution: The Historic Rums and Iconic Cocktails of The Mai-Kai with Kern Mattei and Jim "Hurricane" Hayward
Established in 1956, The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale is not only the last of the great mid-century Polynesian supper clubs, it’s a living history of tropical cocktails and rum, with many of its secret recipes dating back to Don the Beachcomber in the 1930s. Manager Kern Mattei and journalist Jim "Hurricane" Hayward explore how the bar’s rums and drinks have evolved yet remain timeless and classic. Along with a multi-year, multimillion-dollar restoration, the restaurant is unveiling a new signature spirit, Mai-Kai Rum No. 1. Learn about this groundbreaking new blend sourced from historic stills in Barbados and Jamaica, a throwback to the rums of yore.

About the presenters: Kern Mattei was born into The Mai-Kai family and has worked there since his youth, from barback and bartender to the past three decades as manager. His father was the GM before him, and his mother performed in the stage show. His unique position makes him intimately familiar with the restaurant’s famous cocktails, their history and the secret recipes. Writer and cocktail enthusiast Jim "Hurricane" Hayward has covered The Mai-Kai for more than a decade, documenting and recreating the cocktail recipes in exacting detail on The Atomic Grog blog.

3:30 p.m - 4:30 p.m: Mister Fogg - The Re-Birth of An Authentic Navy Rum With Adrienne Stoner, Planteray Rums
Maison Ferrand has just released Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum, a meticulously crafted rum blend that pays homage to the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Navy Rum. We learn the story of its inception and development, then taste this remarkable spirit that sets a new standard in the Navy Rum category. Drawing from four of the main rum-producing Caribbean islands historically used in navy blends - Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica - Mister Fogg is a spirit of unparalleled depth and complexity. Available as a limited edition, the rum launch is accompanied by the in-depth co-authored book "Exploring 300 Years of Royal Navy Rum and Its Technique" by Maison Ferrand owner and master blender Alexandre Gabriel and rum historian Matt Pietrek.

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