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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.

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!

The nominations for this year's Golden Rum Barrel Awards have finally been revealed and we're absolutely thrilled to announce that Refined Vices has been nominated second time in a row for Rum Blogger of the Year!

It is truly an honour being recognized this way and being part of all the nominees.

The third annual Golden Rum Barrel Awards recognizes the achievements of individuals and brands working in the Rum industry and is the first award ceremony of its kind dedicated solely for the rum category.

Being part of the UK RumFest the dinner and awards ceremony is considered the Oscars of the rum industry and it is an absolutely amazing experience to get to sit in the same room with all the big names of the rum industry.

We're really looking forward to the Golden Rum Barrel Awards this year and seeing you all there!

Check out the Nominations for 2012 at www.goldenrumbarrel.co.uk and the video for last year below.

For tickets, dates and times follow this link.

Kingston, Jamaica. J. Wray & Nephew Limited, on Wednesday September 19, held the barrelling ceremony for the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Prime Ministers’ Reserve – a very special and unique rum blend which will be used to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence.

The Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Prime Ministers’ Reserve barrelling ceremony, held at J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s head office on Kingston’s Spanish Town Road, saw Independent Jamaica’s nine Prime Ministers or their representatives, led by current Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP, pour a 750 ml bottle of the Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Rum Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve, which is a minimum age 50 year old rum that was created to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, into a barrel containing rum from the 2012 crop year.

September 13, 2012; Kingston Jamaica. J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s Master Blender, Joy Spence OD, has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Loughborough University in England.

Joy, who has the distinction of being the first female master blender in the spirits industry, was awarded the honorary degree in recognition of her contribution to the distilled spirits industry and the advancement of women in the field.

The ceremony took place today, Thursday September 13, at a ceremony at Loughborough University, one of the United Kingdom’s leading universities. Joy graduated with a Masters Degree in Analytical Chemistry (with honours) from Loughborough in 1978.

Joy joined J. Wray & Nephew Limited as Chief Chemist in 1981, and held a series of key positions before she was appointed General Manager, Technical and Quality Services in 1996, a position she still holds along with the position of Master Blender, which she took up in 1997.