Interview with Paul Artrip – The Rum Daddy
The Rum Daddy
1) Who is Paul Artrip?
Paul Artrip “The Rum Daddy” is an enthusiastic student of cane spirits, distillery brand ambassador, writer, educator, and “edu-tainer”. Paul has been a cane spirits judge in the USA, UK, and Caribbean. Paul conducts numerous tastings, seminars, hospitality training, and brand ambassador product events throughout the USA, and contributes frequently to Chilled Magazine with product reviews and feature articles. Paul also performs cane spirits products and market demographic analyses for distilleries.
Paul combines his training in science and education with his love of teaching and his desire to support the cane spirits industry. “I continue to be a student and a sharer of knowledge, constantly striving to learn and to enjoy this journey. Rums are the ultimate alchemy of fermentation, and I continue to seek out and appreciate what I don’t know”.
2) What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?
I was one of the few members of my mother’s Italian side of the family who didn’t go into the restaurant business, but I was fortunate to have inherited a decent palate and nose. When I started comparing quality rums to to my then-beloved bourbons, I was immediately hooked!”
3) What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?
At the inaugural UK Rum Experience in London, I performed a seminar on American rums. Brits, Russians, Germans, and a few of us Yanks attended. Fantastic experience.
4) Favorite Rum Drink + Recipe?I have two:
a. The rum in my glass (to steal a phrase from Ian Burrell)
b. Old Fashioned Blonde
2 oz gold rum with pronounced barrel notes
3/4 oz Cointreau
1/4 ox Oloroso Sherry
3 to 5 drops orange bitters
Add all ingredients to a shaker glass filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with toasted orange peel.
5) Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?
Rum is slowly but steadily growing on the global scene. As the USA’s demographics slowly change, millennials are now seeking spirits alternatives to vodkas with an eye towards artisan spirits and distilleries, especially those with an environmental or socioeconomic ethic. Add in the immigration from the Caribbean, Central and South America, and you have an optimistic situation for cane spirits.
6) Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have help you.
Too many mentors to list! I learn from everybody, and I make sure I share with everybody.
7) What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 months?
Expanding my cane spirits events to include more industry education opportunities.
Learning more about rums!
Expanding my network of trustworthy people for mutual support.
8) Any last words?
As soon as you think you know everything, you’re screwed.
If everything is life and death, you die a lot.
Be intolerant of intolerance; life is too short to put up with anger, hate, or agendas.
