It’s such a difficult question. Just like trying to narrow down your favourite rum, the drink preference is based on my mood and time of day. But… If anyone were to offer me a classic well balanced, hand shaken daiquiri then I’ll happily accept it pretty much any time. You’ll ask what rum now and the preferred specification now right? Well I’m a stickler for using a white rum in my daiquiri and I guess my current preference is Clairin Sajous, but believe me when a good bartender balances out a great Bacardi Carta Blanca daiquiri, I’m not going to turn one of those down either.

I guess I tend to use Doorly’s 3YO, Plantation 3 Stars, any one of a number of white agricoles like Clement (or JM or Trois Rivières or Neisson…), El Dorado 3YO, Botran Reserva or SLR from St Vincent. The benefits from having an extensive rum collection is standing in front of the shelves and seeing what I fancy at that moment in time.

I am something of a sucker for well-made tiki drinks – anything from a Mai Tai, to a Painkiller. That said right now it’s pretty chilly here in the UK and mostly I’m drinking warm cider (for the American’s – that means the alcoholic kind) fortified with a healthy splash of rum.

Did I tell you I’m a bit of a rum and coke fan? One part Appleton V/X (or Signature Blend as they now call it) with two parts full-fat coke – hold the ice, lime and straw – equals amazing!

Basically, I’ll pretty much drink anything put in front of me…

Here in the UK and I guess elsewhere in the world, the rum market has continued to grow steadily and I’m super happy that this is the case – I don’t want a boom/bust situation.

We see brands coming to market that are all smoke and mirrors (or all fur coat and no knickers as a friend of mine says), and they will appeal to those that like to be seen to be spending big money on well packaged vodka. For me to spend over £40-£50 on a bottle of rum, it needs to have something else about it – something tangible, something special. The options are increasing and I can see the next five years continuing to offer more and more.

With any expanding market, there will be more and more overpriced, under achievers-rum-wise on offer. I suspect a large number of these will do quite well, but the fact that there are more and more rum commentators out there means that the tricksters will get found out and those genuine superstars will get more coverage. This makes me happy.

I would like there to be some further descriptors to the category of rum – subcategories if you will. At the moment it seems to encompass such a diversity – I’d like people to have more confidence in what they are buying. The notion of pure pot still, through to light categorisation is as good a starting point. I’d also like enforced confirmation of anything other than straight aged, unadulterated distillate in the bottle, from the use of caramel upwards. It will help people justify laying out good money.

To sum up the next five years: exciting and challenging all at the same time.

Without a doubt, Mr Ian ‘Global Rum Ambassador’ Burrell has been a big influence. Without my visit to his 2008 RumFest, it’s highly unlikely that I would be in the position that I’m in now – he invited us (my wife – Pauline – the ‘other half’ of TheFloatingRumShack.com) to lots of other events, introduced us to a great many people and generally got us involved in the beginning. Ian’s a chap who I’ve seen work hard and tirelessly for so long – he is (and I hate saying this out loud), something of an inspiration. He’s a great public facing celebrity and really does take rum to the masses via media like TV, radio, mainstream print and, of course, his RumFest. Thank you Ian. Much respect.

Paul McFadyen was also pretty key to things going the way that they have. The regular Rum Clubs at Trailer Happiness; invariably hosted by Macca were a great source of education for us. Writing up the events were also key content for TheFloatingRumShack.com – he, it, and they were a key component to us getting noticed right back at the beginning and included in the rum world. The fact that he’s a lovely chap and a good friend is a wonderful bonus – thank you Macca.

If I’m mentioning influences, then back in 2008 when I was looking to put the website together, there were three key sites that influenced me: Refined Vices, RumDood and RumConnection. Their approach and the look of the sites really ticked all the boxes for me. Tatu, Matt and Mike have all become good friends and their expertise is something I really value. I have to admit though that Mike’s RumConnection website and his Key West life style have been ‘the’ key influence in my decision to try and carve out a full time career in Rum. Gentlemen – salut!

There are so many people that I would love to name check – so many people that helped to educate and inspire. I really could be at it all day. Perhaps the next gen TFRS website could have a wall of fame page. Actually – that’s a great idea – I really must make it happen.

7)Learn more about Peter Holland