Rum Connoisseur

Interview Of the Week

MARCOS NORIEGA

Founder of Ron Club Caracas

 

 

1. Who is Marcos Noriega?

I am Marcos Noriega Benatuil, a 33 year old with over 9 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. I have been brand manager of well renowned brands such as Jagermeister. Currently, I am finishing a Master’s degree in Wine & Spirits. I am also an enthusiast, someone who loves learning and exploring new products and trends, who always shares my passion with others in easy and entertaining ways.

Because I love rum and I didn’t have any brand of rum in my portfolio, I felt the need to dive more into this spirit by founding @ronclubcaracas. Ron Club Caracas is a space where people find meaningful experiences through rum, promoting its culture and development.

 

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

Beginning to educate consumers. Many people have bad perceptions about rum. They see it as a product for young people, for making cocktails or for parties only. But the truth is that rum has craft production methodologies that are just fascinating. In Venezuela for example, we have a controlled appellation of origin: a rum cannot be called rum unless it’s been aged in barrels for at least 2 years. Unfortunately, many consumers are not aware of this data. And this is information is what brings us closer to rum, and what helps us justify the quality and price behind premium rums.

 

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

As a Venezuelan, rum has always been inside me. I am proud of my country’s rum and ever since I was 18 years old I have been a faithful consumer.

However, since I founded @ronclubcaracas in 2017 I have learned its history, production processes, methodologies and types. Through all this knowledge is how I became a loyal promoter of run.

 

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

I love seeing how much the industry is growing worldwide, seeing new competitive brands in the market and new consumers enjoying rum with respect, just as they do with whiskey. Rum is living its moment and will remain being a premium product for a long time.

But what drives me to keep working in the industry is seeing bottles of Venezuelan rum in bars worldwide, seeing how they win competitions and especially how they make us, people from Venezuela, proud of our land and heritage.

 

5. Favorite Drink Recipe?

A nice glass of premium rum on the rocks with an orange twist.

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

With higher levels of control during production. Just as it happens with wine and scotch, rum needs to have an appellation of origin that controls and regulates the processes of production and aging. I believe this is something that will eventually happen. I also believe this will build respect and growth around the industry

 

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

We need to give more identity to the category. We can see how whiskey is symbol of elegance and class, and vodka represents aspiration. Unfortunately, rum struggles to find it’s own personality. And we will only find, share and enjoy the true identity of this product by going into its deepest roots.

 

8. Which rum would you recommend a person that:

– Sipping a premium rum for the 1^st time: Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

– Likes Scotch Whisky: Ron Santa Teresa 1796

– Likes Bourbon: Ron Carúpano 21

– Likes Gin or Vodka: Zacapa

– Likes Cognac: Cacique Antiguo

 

9. Share some of your mentors and how they have help you?

@adrianagibbs, who is a professor in the Master’s of Wine and Spirits and also a successful gastronomy journalist in Venezuela. She also works with us at @ronclubcaracas. She has shared with me her love and commitment for the industry, especially for the rum. A lot of the passion and respect I now have towards rum is thanks to her.

 

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

We are in the process of planning many projects with @ronclubcaracas this year. Among them we are coordinating visits to production distilleries and cellars, talks with rum makers, master classes and mixology workshops. Everything related to this world, the rum world.

 

11. Any last words?

This industry needs more people full of passion and pride. People seeking to create more than a product, people aiming for high standards of quality. And this is something we will spot in the bottles, the shelves, the bars, the press and of course, the consumers.

 

12. How can people learn more about you

Instagram:

@marcosnb

@ronclubacaracas