Interview of the week: Calbert Francis – Antigua Distillery

Published by
Jose Rafael Hoffmann

Antigua Distillery, opens its doors for the 1st time via a virtual distillery tour. On the following video, Calbert Francis, Sales and Marketing VP, shares some insights of English Harbour Rum. The video was filmed during the 2019 California Rum Festival. Mr. Francis speak about few attributes of the company.

Here’s a brief of Calbert Francis – Interview

1) Who is Calbert Francis?

Calbert Francis is a self taught bartender who moved through the ranks in the Hospitality Industry in Antigua. He graduated from Bartender to Mixologist, to Bar Supervisor then on to Bar Manager. Seeking a greater challenge he then moved into promotions for a local liquor distribution company (Premier Beverages) and just like his progression in the Hospitality Industry, his elevation continued as he moved from Promotions Coordinator into Sales, then Brand Management to his current position Sales and Marketing Manager for the Antigua Distillery Ltd with responsibility for the US Domestic and Duty Free markets.

 

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

Being from the islands, we have a culture of calling all spirits Rum. Therefore a negative stigma was being attached to rum itself that had nothing to do with the category. With multiple educational and training seminars for both bartenders and consumers, they resulted in us being able to separate the categories and changed the image of Rum and erased the negative stigma attached to the category locally.

Reed full interview here.

______________________________________
Published by: TheRumLab.com
Author: Jose Hoffmann
Phone: +1 513-426-8813
email us here

Jose Rafael Hoffmann

Creative Director and Concent Manager for EmpresasFH and Director of HOFFMANNdesign. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Mr. Hoffmann has been one of the most important designers for prestigious companies in South America, including Disney, Cartoon Network, Mattel among others.

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