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Rum can be ‘sophisticated’
Angostura rum’s master distiller, John Georges, has said that rum has the potential to be just as “sophisticated” as Scotch whisky and Cognac.
Georges said: “We are capable of being sophisticated. People should know that, in their drinks cabinets, alongside a good Scotch and a good brandy they need a fine rum.”
He was speaking at the launch and tasting of Angostura’s “Legacy” at Mosimann’s restaurant in central London yesterday (3 April).
The rum, a blend of seven rums at least 17 years old, is the most expensive in the world, each of the 20 crystal decanters costing US$25,000 apiece.
Only one is available in the UK through Burn Stewart Distilleries. A limited amount is also available at Salvatore Calabrese’s bar at the Playboy Club.
Each decanter is packaged in a box designed by Asprey of London, the jewellers to the Prince of Wales and comes with a sterling silver stopper in the shape of a butterfly alighting on a sugar cane.
Georges said that, in honour of Trinidad & Tobago’s 50th anniversary of independence and the Queen’s diamond jubilee (the islands are part of the British Commonwealth), “we set out to create the greatest sipping rum ever produced.”
During a tasting for members of the trade he added that while he might usually suggest chocolate or a cigar to accompany other rums, Legacy should be enjoyed on its own.
“Don’t add anything to this rum. No chocolate, no cigars. Play some music if you have to, maybe.”
Although the price tag and limited number of bottles may prohibit Legacy from becoming the rum of choice for everyone’s drinks cabinet, Georges was sure that it was only “a matter of time” before rum comes to be seen in a more serious light.