Rum Connoisseur Interview of the Week AUSTIN HARTMAN Cane spirit enthusiast & educator Cane Club Co. Ready Player Rum

Rum Connoisseur

Interview Of the Week

 

AUSTIN HARTMAN

Cane spirit enthusiast & educator Cane Club Co. Ready Player Rum

 

1. Who is Austin Hartman?

I was born in Logan’s Square, Chicago and moved to Santa Cruz, California when I was six. I was raised in a beach town surrounded by the best surf, red wood forests and the most relaxed vibes. Moved to New York in 2010 and got a job at Hotel Delmano out the gates. Started traveling the Caribbean in 2011, starting with Puerto Rico, and fell in absolute love with it. Culture, peoples, R(H)UM! I have since visited, multiple times, Barbados, Haiti, Guyana, Trinidad/Tabago and Martinique with the inspiration of visiting rum distilleries and Caribbean spirit. In 2017, I formed the Cane Club Collective with Dani De Luna and Shannon Mustipher which focuses on advanced cane spirit educational courses. In 2017 I had the humbling experience of doing extensive Hurricane Maria relief work and in 2018 opened Paradise Lounge, in Ridgewood Queens. A rum bar focused on ‘island traditional’ cocktails, great food and a tropical mental attitude.

 

2. Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplished for the rum industry.

While I’m extremely grateful for all the cane related opportunities I’ve experienced and accomplished, there are definitely a few that stand out! In 2015, I was accepted into WIRSPA’s first ACR (Authentic Caribbean Rum) program. Ten cane enthusiasts were selected from around the globe to visit Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana to truly immerse ourselves in a thorough Caribbean experience. I made friends for life, visited amazing places and distilleries – not to mention the amazing rum. Since then, it was love for all the islands and trying to visit as many as I can, when I can. And I kept to it! Which included traveling, and creating, the Cane Club Collective with Dani Deluna & Shannon Mustipher. A group focused on advanced cane spirit education, fundraising, rum community building and events. And obviously, the opening of Paradise Lounge! My bar in Ridgewood, Queens. A rum bar focused on island classics, radical food and a positive attitude. While we can do it well, we’re not a Tiki bar, but focuses on the spirit – which is both the juice and the Caribbean vibe. Really, it’s been a freakin’ dream! (Can I swear in my responses?). It’s all about that ‘Tropical Mental Attitude’.

 

3. What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?

It happens all the time. Every time I try a new r(h)um, order a Daiquiri or Ti’ Punch. There is so much excitement and love! Is there a particular moment? Probably my first trip in 2011 to Culebra, off the coast of Puerto Rico. Well, actually it was on Culebrita (a smaller isle off Culebra). We paid a bartender from The Dinghy Dock bar to take us out there for the day. It’s an uninhabited sliver of an island. You bring a cooler; they drop you off and come pick you up a few hours later. I was literally stranded on an island with a full bottle of Ron Barrilito and a turkey sandwich. It was a perfect feeling and attributed rum with it. I left Culebrita with a turkey sandwich. Nonetheless, from that time on I wanted to know about all the Caribbean islands and the juice they produce.

 

4. What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?

It’s the most diverse and beautiful spirit – when done correctly. And there are still many islands and distilleries I need to visit.

 

5. Favorite Drink + Recipe

There’s nothing better than your morning Ti’ Punch, your lunch daiquiri-time-out or your evening Mai Tai. However, since 2015 and my trips back to Barbados, my favorite drink is the ‘Bajan Rum Punch’. When on the island, it’s the first thing I’ll order. One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak. It varies so much. I’ve had some great ones; I’ve had some bad ones. But back at my bar I’ve honed in on a recipe attempting to celebrate my favorite version of the cocktail:

 

2oz aged Barbados rum

1oz ginger syrup

.75 lime juice

2 dashes angostura bitters

2 grates fresh nutmeg

Shake. Add 1.25oz seltzer water to tin. Pour into Collins glass over fresh ice.

Garnish grated fresh nutmeg.

 

6. Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?

The past five years of being a cane spirit devotee have already impressed and excited me. Hoping the next five will continue to impress. Aside from that, hope that negative stigmas on rums will deteriorate and further transparency on production is more common language.

 

7. What do you think needs to happen to grow the premium category of rum?

Transparency, from fermentation, distillation, age statements and additives.

 

8. Which rum would you recommend a person that?

• Likes Scotch whisky

Aged English Style/Blended. I would suggest the Criterion line from Foursquare Distillery.

• Likes Bourbon

I would suggest an El Dorado 8, 12 or 15, as well, Pusser’s Rum. However, it’s always fun to take new rum lovers thru the El Dorado aged statements and see which they favor the most. In the rum community there is great debate among their favorite.

• Likes Gin or Vodka

Clean and dry – definitely a blank Spanish style. In that category I would suggest Don Q, Brugal or Barbancourt.

• Likes Cognac

Aged agricole! Terroir Terroir Terroir! What grows together goes together.

 

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

Definitely going to be more than 2-3! I’ve had the honor to meet so many amazing rum makers, shakers and enthusiasts over the past several years. First and foremost is Dani De Luna and Shannon Mustipher – it was in 2017 while traveling through Haiti & loving rhum with a group of bartenders. A great bond was forged that would create the Cane Club Collective, along with an everlasting a friendship & pursuit of cane spirit related history and knowledge. Richard Seale is a producer & works within the discourse of the category. Josh Miller (https://inuakena.com/) has dedicated and honest opinion. And the most charismatic Neil Morris, former WIRSPA board member and initiate of the ACR program. Really, if you’ve not met Neil Morris… You want to meet him.

 

10. What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 month?

Looks like I may be going to Tales of the Cocktail this year, which should be fun and chaos all rolled into one. My rum-loving partner in crime, Jane Danger, and I are hoping to take a trip to the Caribbean this fall/winter. We haven’t settled on where yet, but it will be fun. And most definitely involve a few distillery tours.

 

11. Any last words?

I think it’s time for a Daiquiri. Dealer’s choice, just not Bacardi.

 

12. How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page?

You can find me on the internet!

Personal – @partyfartman

Paradise Lounge – @paradiseloungenyc

Cane Club Collective – @caneclubco