Komal Samaroo has played a pivotal role in the extraordinary changes in the rum industry over the fifty years he’s been a part of it, starting with Booker’s Rum Company in 1969. Today, he’s the Executive Chairman of Demerara Distillers…
Tag: rum
Bourbon vs Rum: Technical Head to Head
To my great delight, interest in rum from bourbon enthusiasts has gathered steam recently. As a writer I’m keenly aware that many topics in the bourbon world are well-tread ground, while rum has far more undeveloped land, so to speak.…
Guava Coconut Daiquiri
DAIQUIRI The Daiquiri is the perfect cocktail. A careful balance of ingredients and technique that produce a sweet, tart, and bright cocktail that is happily gulped in a few sips, leaving you wanting more. If it’s doing it’s job, it…
Inside the Uitvlugt Sugar Factory
Without sugar cane, there is no rum. While some rums are made directly from fresh pressed sugar cane juice, the overwhelming majority of rum comes from molasses, one of the outputs of sugar cane processing. An extremely simplified description of…
Demerara Distillers Ltd – Part Two
This is part two of a series about Demerara Distillers Ltd. In part one I covered the history of Guyana’s rum industry, how Demerara Distillers came to be, and their operations today. Much of it is necessary background for what…
Demerara Distillers Ltd – Part One
In Roald Dahl’s classic book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the plot hinges upon a handful of golden tickets tucked into chocolate bars, granting undreamed-of access to a mysteriously magical candy factory. That story came to mind one day as…
Don Q Deep Dive
In the annals of rum history, Puerto Rico often gets short shrift. While the stories of Barbados, Jamaica, and Martinique rums are well trod ground for writers, Puerto Rico’s rum story is far less known despite being the largest producer…
Talking Rum with DDL’s Sharon Sue-Hang
In September 2019, Demerara Distillers Ltd (aka DDL) brought me to Guyana to tour their facilities and meet key members of their staff. I came away with many things to share, and which I’ll share over several stories. While there,…
Alexandre Gabriel – On the Record
One of my favorite things about writing Cocktail Wonk is the opportunity to sit down with key people in the rum industry and go deep with geeky questions of interest to rum enthusiasts. Without any space constraints, I can let…
Great Cringe-Free Gifts for Rum Enthusiasts
Picking out a gift for a friend or family member who loves rum, but you’re not a rum expert yourself? This short guide has your dilemma in mind! In what follows, you’ll find concrete recommendations for readily available rums that…