Amazing closure of the 2023 New York Rum Festival and Congress

Published by

Camilo Cesarino

June 19, 2023

New York Rum Fest 2023

The New York Rum Festival and Congress, one of the most expected summer events in the rum industry, took place on Saturday, June 10th, and Monday, June 12th. Over these two days, food & beverage professionals, general consumers, and spirits experts gathered at the event to learn, taste and celebrate the diversity and excellence of Rum aka Rhum or Ron.

At the Rum Fest on Saturday, June 10th, the 500 attendees enjoyed over 10,000 tastings of premium rum. Over 170 expressions of rums from around the world took part in the festival, surprising attendees with their quality and variety. Among the brands that made a great impression were Ron Carta Vieja (Panama), Worthy Park Estate (Jamaica), Rhum J.M Terroir Volcanic (Martinique), Ron Botran (Guatemala), Isautier Rhum (Reunion Island) and Plantation Rum Fiji Islands 2009.

The wider variety of Spiced Rums was also a big highlight. A good handful of rum brands showcased the options they had, such as the Lemon Harts & Son Blackpool Spiced Rum, Tanduay Rum Especia, Chairman’s Reserve Original (Spiced), Canerock Jamaican Spiced Rum, Bayou Spiced Rum, and Bacardi Spiced Rum.

The event showcased prominent figures from the rum industry, including many festival newcomers. Notable attendees included Troy Arquiza (Global Master Rum Blender at Bacardi), Deny Duplessis (Master Blender at St. Lucia Distillers), Shaun Caleb (Master Distiller at Demerara Distillers Limited), Johann Jobello (Product Manager of Sugarcane Spirits at La Maison Isautier), and Ed Tiege (CEO of Copalli Rum Distillery).

The Ultimate Awards

Miguel Sequeira Torres from Ron Centenario received the prestigious title of Best Rum Ambassador 2023 at New York Rum Fest. After careful deliberation and thousands of votes, Torres earned an impressive total of 815 votes.

Miguel Sequeira Torres’s passion and dedication to representing Ron Centenario has made a lasting impact on the rum industry. With his knowledge and enthusiasm, he has won the hearts of rum enthusiasts, earning him the prestigious ambassador title.

The Ultimate Sipping Rum

At the rum festival, attendees voted for their favorite sipping rum in a competition with The Ultimate Awards. Ron Viejo de Caldas claimed the top spot, closely followed by Ron Barceló and Ron Dos Maderas.
Ron Viejo de Caldas delights Colombians with its sweet, caramelized, and fruity aroma, earning widespread recognition. The rum achieves its spirited taste through raw materials and aging in white oak barrels at high altitudes.

VIP Rum Congress

The VIP Rum Congress, held on June 12th at the iconic Astor Center, comprised two sessions. In the first session, titled “The Rum Lab New York Rum Congress Workshops,” participants enjoyed an exclusive event. La Maison & Velier’s first seminar showcased the 8 Mark Collection of Hampden Rum Estate, including visuals of the distillery.

The second seminar collaborated with Holmes Cay Rum, E&A Scheer, and The Main Rum Company, presenting super-premium rums. Maison Ferrand’s third seminar surprised attendees with impressive rums, particularly highlighting Longpond and Fiji rums.

In the second session, Spiribam USA hosted a “Blending Class with St Lucia Distillers,” teaching exceptional rum blending techniques.

The successful New York Rum Fest and VIP Rum Congress united enthusiasts, professionals, and industry experts in celebration and education. For more information about the New York Rum Fest and future events, please visit TheRumLab.com website.

Camilo Cesarino

Camilo is an audiovisual communicator with over 15 years of experience. He resides in Caracas, Venezuela, and has studied film and television, acquiring skills in writing film scripts. He currently works as a Digital Content Manager at TRL. If you would like to see his portfolio, you can visit his website at http://ccesarino.com.