Join Vizcaya At Old Westbury Gardens for “A Night In Old Havana”

If you’re a Vizcaya fan who lives on the East Coast, mark your calendars now for May 19, 2012. That’s the date of “Rum & Rumba: A Night In Old Havana,” which is the theme for this year’s Old Westbury Gardens annual Gardeners’ Fair.

Vizcaya is proud to sponsor this event, which is attended each year by hundreds of high-profile attendees from New York’s philanthropic, social and business communities, and to be the only brand of rum that is poured throughout the evening. Vizcaya Cristal and Vizcaya Cask 12 will provide a smooth, delicious basis for signature Cuban cocktails, while Vizcaya VXOP, the ultimate sipping rum, will be on hand for those guests who prefer to savor their rum straight up or on the rocks.

Additionally, a case of Vizcaya VXOP will be one of the featured auction items. Come place your bid for 12 bottles of the very best rum around, with proceeds to benefit a fantastic charity!

Old Westbury Gardens boasts 60,000 annual visitors. Located on Long Island’s North Shore, the 200-acre estate is home to many events, including children’s programs, concerts and festivals, horticultural classes, tours and talks. The Gardeners’ Fair is a much-anticipated annual extravaganza, and the funds raised on the evening of May 19th will help Old Westbury Gardens achieve its goals of providing environmental education and ensuring that beautiful green spaces are available to all.

Vizcaya is a natural partner for the 2012 “Rum & Rumba: A Night In Old Havana” event, since its family of Cuban-style rums, distilled using premium sugar cane and traditional methods, are rich with flavor and character. Anyone who appreciates the sophisticated nuances of a premium sipping spirit will enjoy the taste of Vizcaya VXOP, its smoothness embued with notes of spice, brown sugar and smoke. For fans of classic Cuban-inspired cocktails like mojitos, El Presidentes and daiquiris, Vizcaya Cristal and Vizcaya Cask 21 fit the bill. These, the newest addition to the Vizcaya line, offer the same high quality as Vizcaya VXOP, while maintaining a more subtle flavor profile. This allows them to be made into top-notch cocktails.

Come hobnob with some of New York’s elite society, drink fabulous cocktails inspired by 1950s Havana, bid on auction items like a case of the ultimate sipping rum, Vizcaya VXOP, and dance in the gardens. It’s “Rum & Rumba: A Night In Old Havana” at the Old Westbury Gardens, and it wouldn’t be the same without you!

For more information, please visit www.oldwestburygardens.org.

Vizcaya VXOP Wins Exclusive Double Gold Medal in the New York International Spiris Competition

Vizcaya Wins Double Gold Medal!

We’ve done it again!

We’re proud to announce that Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum has been honored with a Double Gold Medal in the first-annual 2010 New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

Several factors distinguish this competition from others in the spirits industry. The New York International Spirits Competition is the first major international spirits competition with judges who actually work in the spirits trade—from importers and distributors, to buyers at the nation’s leading liquor stores, to restaurant and bar owners. As you can imagine, the fact that these judges have substantial influence in their industry, and therefore can directly impact the sales of a brand, only adds to the prestige of winning an award and the NYISC.

Secondly, the spirits are categorized not only by product category but by price point as well. Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum, for example, competed in the category of “Rum Dark $26-40.”

Of the 187 submissions, from 28 countries, there were 13 Gold, 36 Silver and 45 Bronze Medals awarded, and one only award of Double Gold—to Vizcaya VXOP.

The ultimate sipping rum, Vizcaya is distilled, blended and bottled with craftsmanship and care, following the traditions of the Cuban rum-making process. This results in a caramel-colored, warm and spicy rum with notes of cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, butterscotch and brown sugar. Try it neat or on the rocks to best enjoy the fulness of its flavor profile—or pair it with your favorite cigar in order to complement the smoky sweetness of Vizcaya.

Held at the Brandy Library, one of the top spirits destinations in New York, the New York International Spirits Competition took place in late November, 2010. It was established by Adam Levy, a spirits writer and authority, and the president of All Spirits Events, which hosts educational spirits tastings at events both private and public.

Join us in celebrating the distinction bestowed upon Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum—the only Double Gold Medal winner in the inaugural New York International Spirits Competition. Cheers!

Vizcaya VXOP–Proud To Participate In The Tasting Panel Tour 2010

If you’re a rum enthusiast and a member of the media or the spirits trade who lives in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami or New York, please join Vizcaya VXOP at The Tasting Panel’s 4th Annual Tasting Panel Tour.

The ultimate sipping rum, Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 had the honor of being chosen as one of the June 2010 “Publisher’s Picks” by The Tasting Panel’s publisher and executive editor, Meridith May. At the Tasting Panel Tour, you’ll be able can taste the sophisticated hints of maple, butterscotch and spice that make sipping a snifter of Vizcaya VXOP a truly luxurious experience.

Join Tasting Panel Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Anthony Dias Blue, in a walk-around tasting event featuring a selection of Double Gold Winners, including Vizcaya VXOP.

It won’t surprise fans of the smooth, amber-hued Vizcaya that this delectable sipping rum also took “Best Rum” at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This rhum agricole, which is distilled with pride in the old Cuban tradition, has won a host of awards, as well as the approbation of spirits lovers the world over. For more information about the upcoming events of the Tasting Panel Tour, including dates, times, venues and the opportunity to register, please click on the city in which you are interested:

Chicago

San Francisco

Los Angeles

Miami

New York

Calling All Rum Enthusiasts! Join Vizcaya in San Francisco

Miss Pearl's Jam House

This weekend marks one of the most anticipated events in the rum enthusiast’s yearly calendar: the San Francisco Bay Ministry of Rum Festival 2010. Hosted at Miss Pearl’s Jam House, located in the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, CA, this event gathers together rum lovers from around the around the globe to celebrate their favorite spirit.

This year’s festival marks the second appearance of Barrie Lynn, the Cheese Impresario. Barrie will show festival goers that the pairing of rum and artisanal cheeses, while unorthodox, can be absolutely delicious. This event proved very popular at last year’s festival, so you won’t want to miss Barrie’s return or any of her delectable pairings.

After partaking of cheese, taste sugar cane spirits from many different makers, including Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Cuban-Style rum. Also on hand will be some of the Bay area’s most respected and experienced mixologists, who will be whipping up rum-based cocktails, both classics and modern drinks.

Of course, you’ll also be able to wax enthusiastic about Vizcaya with fellow aficionados, including Edward Hamilton–considered the world’s top authority on all things rummy and the man behind the Ministry of Rum. All in all, the 2010 San Francisco Bay Ministry of Rum Festival promises to be a rollicking good time that will both educate and entertain all comers.

The festival will be held Sunday, August 8, 2010, beginning at 1:00pm for VIPs and press, then open to the general public from 2:00pm-5:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door on a cash-only basis, and are $50 per person.

We’ll see you there!

Stir Up Some Spicy-Sweet Vizcaya Grog For Black Tot Day

Tomorrow is Black Tot Day—the anniversary of a dark day on the seas, when the British Navy ceased issuance of a daily rum ration to its sailors—and in honor of those brave seafaring men for whom a glass of grog was a welcome interruption of the nautical routine, we’ve got a recipe for you.

Grog began as a way to make more palatable the watered-down rum that Naval bigwigs ordered as a preventative against drunkenness.  Because water on board ship was often foul, a mixture of citrus, sugar and spices was added to the drink. The use of lime or lemon not only helped flavor standard-issue rum drinks, it also helped stave off scurvy. Modern men and women who partake of grog, however, do so because it’s a tasty way to enjoy Vizcaya VXOP, as a novel change of pace from taking the ultimate sipping rum neat or on the rocks.

There are nearly as many recipes for grog as there are tales o’ the sea. We present to you a basic template, which we hope you’ll experiment with and make your own. The proportions of this recipe closely follow those of the original Naval grog, and acidic lime juice brightens all of its flavors. While the spices will help illuminate the underlying complexity of the Vizcaya, feel free to eliminate them or to experiment with other garnishes.

Sweet and Spicy Vizcaya VXOP Grog

2 oz. Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum
1 T lime juice
1 T simple syrup or demerara sugar
6-8 oz water, depending on taste
pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon or black pepper

Stir all ingredients together in a highball glass. If you like, enjoy with the traditional Saturday toast of the Royal Navy: “Here’s to wives and sweethearts—may they never meet!”

Join Vizcaya VXOP for A Celebration of the Cocktail on May 18th

It’s no secret that cocktails are back in vogue—that is, if they ever truly went out. Vizcaya VXOP rum will be among the world-class distillers helping to celebrate both the art and science of the cocktail, during a five-day festival in Manhattan.

Billed as part fete, part festival, part conference and part cocktail party, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic offers a truly unique experience for connoisseurs of high-quality spirits. This event promises to be both entertaining and educational, with a variety of activities taking place at venues all around the New York metropolitan area—including the New York Public Library, the Astor Center and the Chelsea Piers.

So what can the curious cocktail lover expect from the Manhattan Cocktail Classic? Nothing less than an extravaganza. There will be an opening gala, rooftop parties, sunset cruises, numerous seminars, tastings and many opportunities to mingle with the world’s best bartenders and distillers, as well as fellow cocktail enthusiasts.

Vizcaya VXOP, the ultimate sipping rum, invites you to partake in a very special event, held on the final day of the Cocktail Classic. “From ‘Grass to Glass’ – The Rum Experience” will take place on Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. Held in The Study at Astor Center, this informative and enlightening seminar will be hosted by pre-eminent rum expert Ian Burrell, who is one of the United Kingdom’s top mixologists and the world’s only global Rum Ambassador. Ian will guide you through a tasting of superior rums, including Vizcaya VXOP, as well as cocktails that incorporate this noble spirit, while regaling you with stories of rum-related adventures from around the globe.

This exclusive glimpse into the fascinating culture of rum is limited to only 26 guests, so don’t hesitate. Join Ian Burrell and Vizcaya VXOP at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, the first-ever citywide celebration paying homage to the culture, heritage and craft of the cocktail. Cheers!

Vizcaya VXOP To Be Featured At Premium Rum & Cigar Event

Vizcaya VXOP rum, with its warm, spicy bouquet and robust character, has often been described as the perfect libation to sip while smoking a fine cigar. So it comes as no surprise that TheFiftyBest has named Vizcaya as one of the featured rums at its upcoming Premium Rum & Cigar Tasting event.

Held at Cipriani Wall Street—a landmark Greek revival venue that was once the home of the New York Stock Exchange and the United States Customs House—this tasting will showcase some of the world’s most captivating rums and cigars. A selection of delectable appetizers, provided by Cipriani’s renowned chefs, will further enhance the evening.

Relax on the terrace at Cipriani while enjoying the lush, captivating taste of Vizcaya. One sip and you’ll understand why Vizcaya VXOP recently won “Best in Show” in the rum category, as well as a Double Gold medal, at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Vizcaya’s distinctive complexity and sophistication have garnered it a number of other awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2009 Ministry of Rum Tasting.

The hints of smoke that mingle with the spice and brown sugar notes of Vizcaya VXOP are an outstanding counterpoint to highly rated cigars from Drew Estate, such as Acid, Chateau Real and Natural. Vizcaya’s soft finish, redolent of cloves, echoes the warmth of the cigar and leaves a lingering sweetness.

If you consider yourself an aficianado of premium cigars and high quality sipping rums—or even if you’re just beginning to learn about them—you need to mark your calendars and join us at Cipriani for an evening of refined pleasure.

The Premium Rum & Cigar Tasting is hosted by TheFiftyBest.com, an unbiased guide to fine living for those with epicurean tastes. The event will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person in advance, $65 at the door. Seats for this event are limited; reserve your place on the terrace now.

Miami Rum Renaissance Festival May 5-9 2010

Vizcaya VXOP rum will be competing in the Grand Tasting Event at the 2010 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival. The event will take place May 5th through 9th at the Raleigh Hotel in beautiful South Beach. The Rum Renaissance Festival features several exciting VIP parties, celebrity seminars, the Rum Tasting Competition, the Bartender’s Tiki Face-Off Competition, and the Big Bang Beach and Pool Party. Purchase tickets on their site. See you there!