Rum Connoisseur
Interview of The Week

CARLOS GARCIA

Embajador del Ron in Venezuela

 

1. Who is Carlos García?

I am an industrial engineer; I was born in Zulia, Venezuela. My heritage is nationally accentuated because of my great-great grandfather Rafael María Baralt; one of the most brilliant Zulian writers. In addition to my grandfather, Gastón Montiel Villasmil, interim governor of the Zulia state in 1958. The love for my country was born upon that inheritance along with all the things that were passed on from generation to generation.

I consider myself a Rum collector and this, along with my curiosity and interest for the Rum, has made me truly admire each bottle as a book. Visiting distilleries and the states where rum is made has made my love and passion grow. It wasn’t only bottles now, they were books filled with Pirates stories, processes, tasting phases and a mythical world involving the cane distillation called Rum.

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

Waken this passion for what it is ours, for our own Venezuelan rums, for the history behind them, which was forgotten and not appreciated by our own people. With time people started to pay attention and showing interest on every publication for the bottles and their processes, which makes me happy. It is a positive contribution to my country; it is a hobby that fulfills the soul and that with time has become a lifestyle.

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

On the first place, the love for my country and the fact of it being a mystic drink, full of pirates and corsair stories, and its organoleptic characteristic. This started at a young age. I was 18 years old when I tried it for the first time. Back then, I would drink it with Coke. Then, I started my rum collection at age of 26, and on December 31^st I decided to create an Instagram account dedicated to share my passion and hobby with people all over the world. The username I choose for it was “El Embajador del Ron” (Rum Ambassador), since it is my dream to represent my country and share our rums all over the world, so that everyone could get to know them.

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

The happiness and emotion that I feel when sharing what I know about this liquor, the curiosity that awakens in me because most things aren’t written in the books and others are kept secret. Thanks to the support of my family, friends and my followers in my social networks, I am still inspired to praise the best of Venezuelan rum.

5. Favorite drink + Recipe.

I like Venezuelan rum directly, but if I had to choose a specific drink, it should have rum as an ingredient. I would choose the famous “Cuba Libre” as my favorite drink, which I prepare in the following way:

– 1 1/2 oz of standard rum from Venezuela

– 1/6 oz lemon juice

– 2 drops of Angostura Sour.

– 4 ice cubes

– Tall glass 3/4 full of Coca-Cola.

Note: I always recommend drinking responsibly. We must remember that every drink depends on the moment, the place or person.

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

Despite the fact that Venezuela is going through a difficult political and economic crisis, the rum industry does everything in their power to continue to distribute this product around the country and the world. I hope that in five years things will get better, I envision this industry in a much better position regionally and globally. Statistics show an increase in annual rum consumption. It is our job to continue to do what we like and share with the world out knowledge on Venezuelan Rum, not just because of its popularity but also to keep delight the world.

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

It is important that there is support for the distillery and brands, academic education for multiple people, and that this information can be distributed to different bars. Build rum museums around the world; promote its commercialization, for conferences, talks and catering. Educate people about the premium products and the quality of the rums that are being prepared.

8. Which rum would you recommend a person that?

a) Sipping premium rum for the 1st time: I would recommend industrial rum of “Melaza” or honey, 4 to 8 years of age, appreciating its color, flavors and scent.

b) Likes Scotch whisky: If your favorite drink is whisky, I would recommend rums that when mixed with ice or water their flavors and scents are better appreciated.

c) Likes Bourbon: For the Bourbon Lover. I would recommend rums with aromatic sweet scents.

d) Likes Gin or Vodka: If you were a Gin or Vodka fan, I would recommend white young rums, with not many years of aging. Because they tend to have more of a neutral flavor, and they are visually alike.

e) Likes Cognac: If you Love “Coñac” I would recommend rums of old age (8 to 25 years of aging) because they tend to be more complex. Also, heating the glass a bit with your hands before you drink it.

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

My first professors were my parents and family members, who taught me values, traditions and love for our country. My friends have also been of much support. In addition, of course after creating “El Embajador del Ron” I have had the pleasure to meet people that work with different brands and distilleries, managers, rum professors, multiple brands ambassadors and D.O.C, friends that share the same passion and curiosity for rum, bartenders, rummeliers, sommeliers, chefs, designers, bakers, lawyers and others. I could not thank them enough for all the support and help I have got. First as a person and inside the rum world.

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

1. Visit distilleries all over Venezuela.
2. Meet Master Blenders.
3. Rum catering and speeches nationally and worldwide.
4. Create a group along with friends called “Amantes del Ron en Venezuela” on social media since we share the same passion.
5. Keep up the rum collection and keep communicating updated and the best rum information through social media.

11. Any last words?

Thank you to “The Rum Lab” for this opportunity of this interview and I’d like to invite all of your followers to this web portal. I’d love to invite them to visit Venezuela and to meet our distilleries, try our rums, enjoy our beaches and mountains, feel the perfect weather, which is one of the reasons why we have one of the best rums in the world.

 

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

Contact me in instagram or twitter as @embajadordelron. Find me on Facebook as Embajador del Ron or my personal email embajadordelronvzla@gmail.com. I would gladly take care of any questions you may have. Kind hug for all of you and remember my phrase “Follow me on my journey”