Bernhard started his professional spirit career in an American Cocktail Bar back in 1985, during his studies of sociology and politics at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. The Shaker was his trade until 1999. From early 90ties he began giving lectures on different spirits, mainly Whisky. Where he got the highest accolades as he became a Keeper of the Quaich in 1996, and a Master in 2007. He is a co-founder of ENSE (European Network of Spirit Experts). Since 1997 Bernhard is a panel Member at different Spirit Competitions in Europe, and since 2010 in the US. He became a proud member of RumXP 2012. In 2016 he became the first German Member of the Gin Guild in London. He is a contributing editor to several German Special Interest Magazines and a columnist at the local Newspaper NZ in Nürnberg. His friends say of him,: “I would once like to pass holidays as what you are calling work” and  “why are you wearing Hawaiian Shirts all Summer”. His main work today is spreading the knowledge on spirits in different countries.

Difficult question, there are no “big” things, more constantly bringing the topic to people teaching them education sensory evaluation, encouraging people to strat enjoying rum.

The first sipping of Aniversario Pampero back in the 1990ties in my Bar.it was not official available in Germany at that time but a guest brought it from overseas. It was an eye-opener as until then Rum in Germany was either just a mixer or the German versions we used for tea or baking.

The Spirit of the people, I mean there are a lot of interesting spirits in the world, but some of the Rum people are just fun and gentle people. So Rum is fun! That’s what I like and no one looks strange at you when you are wearing a Hawaiian shirt 😉

Well privately I like Pink Gin (Beefeater and Angostura) when it comes to Rum nothing beats a fresh real Daiquiri, the strong version the way David A. Embury recommends (8-2-1) use Rum Fire!

Today, well I think we are in a transition phase, more and more we see good sipping rums, drifting away from the cheap stuff that just bangs. Emerging markets, more and more people haven interest in quality rums and in knowledge about Rum. We see Rum festivals now, that weren’t in existence some years ago! In the next years, I think this will go on and develop. I hope the rum industry finds a way to define common rules on production for that we will have reliable quality and understandable categories. We will see more brands and varieties also from non classic Rum regions. Rum will become more expensive probably the same development that Scottish Whisky has started some years ago.

EDUCATION of the consumer; honesty about production understandable labels and defined categories and production rules.

a. Sipping a premium rum for the 1st time
Hhm, it doesn’t matter. Your first time may hurt or can be fun, as long as you do not stop but go on and vary.
b. Likes Scotch Whisky
Pure Potstill from Barbados or old Demerara or some of the old stuff from Jamaica
c. Likes Bourbon
The sugary things form various countries will remind them most of vanilla
d. Likes Gin or Vodka
Someone who likes Vodka is helpless..but ordinary Bacardi wouldn’t worry such a person to much. Gin is different, use some spicy Rum and ask your local dealer!
e. Likes Cognac
Sugar again, so slightly sweet Rums go in the 5 to 10 year age group.

I had nice discussions with Richard Seale that sharpened my tooth for Rum. Besides that there was no “mentor” in Rum but more the kindness and Spirit of those in the “Rum community” that encouraged me to invest more time and effort in Rum.

Visiting Rum renaissance again in June, Berlin Rumfestival in October and the Rum and Whisky Show in my hometown Nuremberg (16.000 Visitors in 2 days). I would love to visit more Rum distilleries, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Martinique. Besides that a few things Whisky and Gin related.

Well a very nice drink, I like it occasionally 😉 Rum wise I recommend anyone to be open minded and taste as much as possible! Read, listen and learn!