Last Friday I decided to check out Cushdy, one of Adelaide’s premier cocktail lounges owned and operated by Shaun Pattison on Hindley street since 2008. Cushdy is also the home of the Adelaide Rum Club that had its first rum tasting in 2009 with Flor de Caña rum.

This time the rum in question was a little bit closer home than Nicaragua and is an interesting blend of rums produced in Australia at the Beenleigh distillery and the other half coming from Fiji.

Originally Inner Circle Rum was produced by the Colonial Sugar Refinery for its employees, or for the so called Inner Circle, back in the 70s until 1986 when sadly the distillery closed down.

After a break of nearly two decades Stuart Gilbert, a former Olympic Yachtsman and 8 times World Champion Windsurfer and more importantly a rum enthusiast, acquired the trademark for the brand and in 2002 re-launched the iconic Inner Circle Rum in Australia with the help of CSR’s former Master Distiller Malcolm Campbell.

The International Rum Expert Panel announced a staff of notable experts will be on hand at the Miami Rum Festival to answer attendee's questions about rum.

The Miami Rum Festival takes place in mid-April with hundreds of fine rums on display in a 40,000 square foot exhibit hall at the Doubletree Miami Airport Hotel. It's also an annual gathering of major proportions -- now a tradition -- for many of the world's most experienced rum experts.

In addition to their blind tasting sessions in their RumXP competition, the judges of the International Rum Expert Panel today announced they will be on hand at the 2013 Miami Rum Fest Grand Tasting events on Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21 to field questions from consumers attending the event.

"Ask The Rum Expert" is a new feature of this annual cane spirit gathering. Participants will tap into the combined expertise of these notable rum hounds -- these world travelers and collectors of fine rums -- while browsing the isles to evaluate rum samples.

Participants are invited to visit the RumXPs at their "Ask The Rum Expert" exhibit. All questions are welcome, from the most basic to in-depth inquiries about specific products, distillers, brands or countries of origin. They might just have the answer to your rum-related question.

Five well known spirits professionals have come together to form the International Rum Council (IRC). Their mission is simple: Promote, advocate and champion the diverse and wonderful world of rum by engaging consumers through events, seminars and focus groups and by producing and distributing one-of-a-kind material on the topic.

The IRC founding members are Dave Russell (RumGallery.com), Bob Davies (Rumelier.com, OldBahamas.com), Mike Streeter (RumConnection.com, Bahama Street Promotions), Nicholas Feris (RumCollective.com) and Carlton Grooms (RumCuisine.com, Coastlines & Tan Lines).

IRC members have traveled the world touring rum distilleries, judging cane spirits tasting competitions, hosting rum-themed cruises and speaking at seminars. Most of all, they are known for their published material and have collectively built one of the largest and most loyal online networks of rum aficionados and fine spirits enthusiasts on the planet.

Their first adventure as the IRC takes place this week in Martinique where they will tour the island's famous distilleries as guests of the Martinique Promotion Bureau. In the coming months, the group will travel throughout the Caribbean, US and Europe researching and promoting rum.

Be sure to stay abreast of the IRC's work on their website (RumCouncil.com) and on Facebook and Twitter.

We first heard of Ian's plans to conquer Antarctica quite a while ago but it's not only recently until the plans were really locked in and confirmed and as a matter of fact Ian is almost ready to set sail towards Antarctica, after a few good drinks at his first port of call in Ushuaia - Tierra del Duego - Argentina. We should soon expect him to start making some super cold cocktails at what is to be the world's first Pop Up Rum Shack in Antarctica!

We look forward to seeing some amazing pictures and reading more about his expedition to the last great wilderness in the world.

Sunday 24th of March 2013 1-7pm

The Standard - 383 Bourke St - Surry Hills, NSW 2011

Sugarcane Sunday™ is an event for all rum enthusiasts to join together to experience the culture and flavours that makes rum so diverse!

On Sunday the 24th March join the members of Sydney Rum Club for a social afternoon to explore a popup rum market at The Standard in Surry Hills. Come listen to presentations about the nature of rum, and celebrate the evening with the passion that only these Caribbean spirits can inspire.

We will be having tastings and discussing all the different rums, rons, and rhums directly with the ambassadors defining the Australian rum market in 2013. Rum importers will be set up in stalls covering The Standard to discuss each individual rum’s flavour, history and culture with you and your friends in a great Caribbean Market theme.

When you collect your tickets you will be given 10 tokens on arrival to try your favourite rums from around the world.

2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival Expands

April 15-21 2013

MIAMI, FL -- The fifth annual Miami Rum Renaissance Festival -- the largest gathering of rum experts, professionals and enthusiasts in the world -- will span Monday, April 15 to Sunday, April 21, 2013 at the Doubletree by Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center.

Last year, more than 8,000 rum enthusiasts attended the festival with 20,000 square feet of exhibit space. The new space spans 40,000 square feet, twice the size of last year's event. Festival organizers are preparing for 15,000 attendees.

RumXPs

In addition to a week-long series of VIP parties, tasting sessions and celebrity seminars, the rum festival brings together members of the esteemed International Rum Expert Panel (RumXPs) for their annual tasting competition.

The Grand Tasting

Two full days of Grand Tasting events for the public will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21. More than 240 spirits from the Caribbean and beyond will be available for sampling, along with a selection of island-style cuisine.

Trade

Congratulations to Adam Richardson, the WINNER of the El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum of the Month Competition! We hope you enjoy the rum!

Many thanks to all who participated and a big thank you goes to the sponsors of the competition at Quittin' Time.

And remember you can always buy El Dorado 12 and other rums in the range direct from Quittin' Time!