I think the rum industry is going off!  Each year theres more and more rum festivals popping up and people are becoming really receptive to it. I just attended the inaugural California Rum Fest, and what huge success that was.

There is so many passionate people talking about rum now, that hopefully in 5 years, people will be walking into whiskey and tequila bars and asking for rum.

5) Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have helped you.

1. Alfonso Gonzales – Alfonso’s motivates me with his general passion for rum. He’s constantly sending me titles of books on rum to read, lending me books from his own collection, and he just inspires me with his knowledge and love of rum.
2. Jason Mikos (and Alfonso) for letting me run with my ideas for Rum Club and always backing me up. Plus, Jason and I have a common love for “Nanyo” or, El Dorado 12.
3. Hernan Cíntron – my brother in arms! We’ve tried every rum we can together…and we have many more to go.

Last words…thanks, Fed! This was fun and refreshing. To learn more about La Isla Cuisine and our La Isla Cuisine Rum Club at http://laislacuisine.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/laislarumbums/