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Peruvian entry tops global rum test
Posted on April 3, 2009 by William M. Dowd
YBOR CITY, FL — A Peruvian rum can claim the title of world’s best for at least the next year after winning the inaugural “ best-in-show award” at the 4th annual Polished Palate International Rum Competition held in this historic Tampa neighborhood.
Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial received a score of 90 or better from each of the judges to win the first-ever designation.
Dori Bryant, president of The Polished Palate, which organizes a variety of spirits competitions and events, said, “It is obvious that rum’s star has already risen. The amazing quality and the significant number of new producers joining the competition including those from Peru, Mexico, Africa, Panama and the U.S. bodes well for the industry. This year’s events were a great success, and I look forward to 2010.”
The competition featured an international panel of judges — including yours truly — who sampled, evaluated and compared 53 (51 of them sugar cane based) of the finest rums, rhums and other spirits to select this year’s honor roll.
The competition was part of the three-day International Rum Festival that included a variety of public events, podcasts, seminars and live entertainment venues. A silent auction benefitted The Sky Ranch Foundation, which has been helping troubled teens for 40 years.
This year’s event featured 12 categories. The medalists (bold type denotes “Best of Category.” Not all categories received such an award):
The medalists:
• WHITE RUM
Gold: Carta Vieja Extra Claro Rum (Panama)
New Grove Plantation Rum (Mauritius)
Silver: Diplomatico White Rum (Venezuela)
Sunset Light Rum (St. Vincent & The Grenadines)
Bronze: Bacardi Superior (Puerto Rico)
Maui Platinum (Hawaii)
Sergeant Classick Silver Rum (Hawaii)
Tommy Bahama White Sand (Barbados)
• DARK RUM
Gold: Khukri Rum (Nepal)
Maui Dark (Hawaii)
Silver: One Barrel Rum (Belize)
Tommy Bahama Golden Sun (Barbados)
Bronze: Rogue Dark Rum (Oregon, USA)
• GOLD RUM
Gold: Sunset Captain Bligh Rum (St. Vincent & The Grenadines)
Silver: Bacardi Gold (Puerto Rico)
Sergeant Classick Gold Rum (Hawaii)
Bronze: Carta Viejo Claro (Panama)
The Old Mill Gold Rum (US Virgin Islands)
• RUM AGED UP TO 8 YEARS
Gold: Ron Peruano 8 Year Old
Diplomatico Reserva (Venezuela)
Ron Barcelo Grand Anejo (Dominican Republic)
Silver: Bacardi Select (Puerto Rico)
Carta Viejo Anejo (Panama)
Mount Gay Eclipse (Barbados)
Prichard’s Private Stock (Tennessee)
Ron Barcelo Imperial (Dominican Republic)
Ron Botran 8 Year Old (Guatemala)
Ron Medellín 3 Year Old (Colombia)
Ron Viejo de Caldas 3 Year Old (Colombia)
Ron Viejo de Caldas 8 Year Old (Colombia)
Bronze: Ron Barcelo Anejo (Dominican Republic)
Ron Medellín 8 Year Old (Colombia)
• RUM AGED 9-15 YEARS
Gold: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum
Mount Gay Extra Old (Bahamas)
Ron Botran 12 Year Old (Guatemala)
Silver: Ron Medellín 12 Year Old (Colombia)
• RUM AGED 15+ YEARS
Gold: Ron Millonario Solera 15 Reserva Especial
• OVERPROOOF RUM
Gold:
Bronze: Sunset Very Strong (St. Vincent & The Grenadines)
• AGUADIENTE
Gold:
Silver: Cristal (Colombia)
• FLAVORED RUM
Gold:
Silver: New Grove Orange Bliss (Mauritius)
Bronze: New Grove Lime (Mauritius)
• RUM LIQUEURS
Gold: Mauricia Tamarind Liqueur
Silver: Empire Limonela (Florida, USA)
Bronze: Empire Lemonela (Florida)
• SPICED RUM
Gold:
Silver: Kilo Kai Spiced Rum (Curacao, Netherland Antilles)
Bronze: Horne Spiced Rum (US Virgin Islands)
Rogue Hazelnut Spice Rum (Oregon)
• OTHER SPIRITS
Gold:
T&W Grappa Di Muscatto (Florida)
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