miamirumfest

From April 15th thru 17th, Rum producers from all over the world came to the 2016 Miami Rum Festival & Trade Expo to introduce new products, meet with importers and distributers, buyers and retailers, as well as consultants on the distillation, packaging and marketing of rum worldwide. Presented by Rob’s Rum Guide, this event truly shows how rum is experiencing a Renaissance of appreciation. Savvy consumers come to the grand tasting events to discover a truly remarkable range of fine rums from the Caribbean region, as well as North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia — and from the furthest reaches of the world.

For consumers who know #RumIsFun, the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is one of the world’s premier international rum events, presenting a unique and exciting range of great rums to be sampled. For professionals, this is the world’s largest and most important trade exposition for rum. Attendees enjoyed a grand three-day exhibition of the best rum brands, the excitement of the Island Lifestyle Showcase, celebrity seminars, workshops and cocktail competitions, the annual RumXP competition and awards, an opportunity to rub shoulders with dignitaries and notable experts, and more! New this year was the VIP Tasting Bar where you can purchase tickets for rare, vintage, limited edition luxury rums from private collections.

Be sure to mark your calendar for April 22-23, 2017 and makes plans to celebrate the Renaissance of Rum! Enjoy my rum-loving photos from the 8th Miami Rum Festival & International Trade Expo!

Ran into 2 of my faves..James Echols and Annette Piekert from http://www.SoulofMiami.org and http://www.lifeisartfest.org

Also got to meet the trade expo host, Robert A. Burr inside the VIP tasting bar

This weekend SobeSavvy.com joined other Rum enthusiasts at the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival! At the Grand Tasting event, visitors sampled more than 200 fine rums produced in the Caribbean islands while participating in cocktail competitions, strolling through exhibits on the island lifestyle, and attending rum seminars.

As rum collector and enthusiast Robert Burr sensed what he termed the “awakening of rum” in 2005, he decided to direct his passion toward educating the community. Drawing from an earlier career in magazine publishing, he compiled a list of 100 of his favorite rums each year into a free guide, which he gave to local liquor stores. As he developed connections with other enthusiasts and tasting judges, he formed the International Rum Expert Panel, an organization of 36 cane-spirit lovers from around the world. He gathers the majority of these experts in Miami Beach each year for the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, a celebration of the libation’s international varieties.

Through the festival’s schedule of events, Robert aims to honor iconic spirits while also featuring lesser-known rum makers that guests might not otherwise find without finding and deciphering Blackbeard’s long-lost treasure-map pajamas.
Held at the opulent DoubleTree by Hilton, the annual event has grown to include hundreds of rums hailing from countries such as Jamaica, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. As they mingle in spacious convention halls, visitors navigate a labyrinth of bartenders and brand ambassadors proffering island apparel, art, and books. Industry experts expound on the history, origins, and childhood fears of the libation during weekend seminars and bartender competitions. Attendees also revel at a two-day tasting exhibition, late-night parties, and VIP events at various Miami venues.

Check out these mixology skills on display using Tanduay Asia Rum ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH_F3Gl9Z98&sns=em

For more details about this event, visit http://www.rumrenaissance.com/ .

Here is my photo recap of the Grand Tasting! Cheers !

‘Lovely’ Leslie Heigh ~ Freelance Photojournalist/Blogger ~ Follow @IJust_LoveThis #SobeSavvy