Vizcaya Rum Named Best of the “Fifty Best”

For the second year in a row, Vizcaya VXOP–the ultimate sipping rum that continues to garner accolades from around the world–has been honored by the website TheFiftyBest.com. And this year, Vizcaya took first place, and a double-gold medal, in a blind tasting of premium aged rums.

A total of 21 journalists, spirits aficionados and bartenders were invited to the formal tasting, which took place at the NYC restaurant Riverpark. They tasted twenty-six different premium aged rums, awarding them points based on the nose, palate, finish and overall impression.

Those who have tasted Vizcaya VXOP will nod in agreement with the judges’ assessments of the rum’s characteristics: rich, sweet, robust, lovely, classy, flavorful, delicious, amazing, round, well-balanced, smooth. If you’re a newcomer to the pleasures that Vizcaya has to offer, you’ll soon discover for yourself its floral, spicy and sweet nose, as well as its tastes of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, butter. This rum starts out complex and intriguing, builds to a crescendo of delectable sensations, and finishes smoothly.

Many aficionados feel that, since it’s a premium aged rhum agricole with such a distinguished flavor profile, Vizcaya VXOP is best enjoyed on the rocks or neat. It’s also an ideal companion for your favorite cigar. If you like to experiment with mixology, why not try the newest additions to the Vizcaya line of rums, including Vizcaya Cristal and Vizcaya Cask 12, which is also an amber-hued, aged rum, but which has a slightly lighter body. Depending on the drink you favor, one of these varieties–both crafted with the same pride and attention to detail as the original VXOP rum–will become the perfect starting point for the perfect cocktail.

TheFiftyBest.com is an online guide to the finest drinks, food, cigars and other luxury lifestyle products. 

Please join us in celebrating the announcement that Vizcaya VXOP is TheFiftyBest.com’s number-one premium, aged rum! Cheers!

Introducing Vizcaya Cask 12

You’ve been enjoying Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 rum, the ultimate sipping rum, for years. As an aficionado of fine spirits, chances are that there’s a bottle of VXOP in your bar right now. Well, it’s time to make room for a new variety of Vizcaya—introducing Vizcaya Cask 12, a dark rum that possesses the same rich character and high quality as VXOP Cask 21, but with a slightly lighter body that makes it a mixologist’s dream.

Vizcaya Cask 12 is meticulously crafted with the same superb ingredients and traditional methods as Cask 21. After being distilled from the finest of sugar cane—unlike inferior rums, which are made from molasses—Cask 12 is aged for six years in premium oak barrels and then masterfully blended. The finished spirit sings with a rich, complex bouquet; subtle notes of vanilla, cocoa and maple; and a buttery finish.

Due to its slightly lighter body, Cask 12 is also an extraordinarily versatile rum, and can be enjoyed alone or as a component of delicious cocktails. Try it in all the classic rum drinks, or simply splash some over a few cubes of ice and savor the exquisite flavor.

Another way to enjoy Vizcaya Cask 12 dark rum is to pair it with a meal—think tropical tastes, like seafood, coconut and fruit. Of course, you can never go wrong with the classic combination of a fine cigar and a premium rum, and Vizcaya Cask 12 fits that bill to perfection. Relax, enjoy your cigar, and let the heady, spicy aroma of Vizcaya fill your senses.

It’s an exciting time for those who truly appreciate fine spirits. Versatile Vizcaya Cask 12 rum, a premium sipping rum that also works wonderfully in cocktails, will become an exemplary addition to your rum repertoire.

Vizcaya Voted “Most Likely To Succeed” By The Tasting Panel!

The Tasting Panel‘s 2010 Yearbook, which reviews the most outstanding wines and spirits of the year, has given high marks to Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum, naming it “Most Likely to Succeed.”

A print and online publication devoted to discovering, discussing and showcasing the best wines and spirits from around the world, the Tasting Panel is an influential magazine which organizes and hosts tastings in major U.S. cities in order to showcase brands, regional specialties, importers, or categories of wines and spirits.

The magazine also prints reviews, interviews, regular editorial features and articles devoted to the liquor industry. It has a subscription base of restaurateurs, mixologists, sommeliers, importers and distributors, hospitality experts, and other spirits industry professionals.

Of Vizcaya, the Tasting Panel says, “burnished copper-hued Vizcaya rum is dazzling. Several layers of aromas waft up from the glass, from salty sherry, oak and cocoa to maple syrup drenched walnuts. On the palate, sumptuous notes of vanilla extract and nougat take this Thoroughbred to the finish line with satin smooth chocolate and maple bliss generously coating the palate.”

High praise, indeed, for the ultimate sipping rum, which we invite you to enjoy with your favorite cigar, paired with elegant small plates for the holidays, or just on its own, either neat or with a splash of water, as you take a break from your hectic routine and relax to enjoy life’s finer pleasures.

On behalf of the entire Vizcaya family, we wish you the very merriest of holidays and a prosperous New Year—from the Tasting Panel’s “Most Likely to Succeed,” Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum.

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!

Where to Purchase Vizcaya VXOP Rum in New Jersey

Shop Rite Wines & Spirits
120 U.S. 206 South
Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-5352
www.shopritewines.com

Shoppers Vineyard
875 Bloomfield Ave
Clifton,NJ 07012
973-916-0707
www.shoppersvineyard.com

Wine O Land
4110 Route 9 South
Howell, NJ 07731
1-877-WINEOLAND
www.wineoland.com

Traino’s Wine & Spirits
100 Chruch Road
Marlton, NJ 08053
856-983-0056
www.trainoswine.com

Riverside Wine Merchants
9001 River Road
North Bergen, NJ 07047
www.riversidewinemerchants.com

Witty’s Fine Wine and Liquors
870 Saint Georges Avenue
Rahway, NJ 07065
732-381-6776
www.wittyswine.com

The Wine Shop at Short Hills
704 Morris Turnpike
Short Hills, NJ 07078
973-379-7135
www.shorthillswines.com

Beechwood Wine & Liquors
1 Beechwood Road
Summit, NJ 07901
908-277-0202
www.budgetbottle.com

Gary’s Wine & Marketplace
1308 Route 23 North
Wayne, NJ 07470
888-99-GARYS
www.garyswine.com

Savor the Culture of Vintage Cuba at Rumbar with Vizcaya VXOP

If you’re looking for a sophisticated, refined yet inviting space in which to enjoy Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 rum, look no further than Rumbar, located inside Key Biscayne’s Ritz-Carlton. The name of this storied hospitality company is synonymous with luxury and exemplary service, and Rumbar puts a decidedly Latin spin on the Ritz-Carlton’s elegance.

With deep, inviting leather couches and armchairs, crimson walls and rich mahogany woodwork, Rumbar looks every bit the gentleman’s club. The atmosphere is genteel and relaxed—perfect for kicking back to savor the spice and complexity of Vizcaya. Rumbar also has a humidor that boasts an extensive collection of cigars for your smoking pleasure.

Despite its decidedly vintage feel—Rumbar reminds patrons not just of Hemingway, as so many Cuban-inspired rum-friendly establishments do, but also, with its slowly turning wooden ceiling fans, of Bogey and Bacall—the small plates offered by Rumbar’s kitchen have a decidedly modern feel. Choose from short-rib sliders topped with goat cheese mousse and arugula, yuca fries with a creamy chimichurri dipping sauce, or a Caribbean pineapple pizza with cilantro. The classic Cuban sandwich composed of ham, pork, pickles and cheese, the Media Noche, is reworked as a panini. Key lime pie is topped with mango coulis in a delicious marriage of two tropical flavors.

As you would expect at a such a delightfully old-school bar, there is a comprehensive list of cocktails, ranging from time-honored standards like daiquiris, mojitos and caipirinhas, to innovative specialty martinis. The true rum lover, however, will probably bypass these in favor of a vertical rum flight—or possibly a tasting of his own devising. It’s also possible to rent one of Rumbar’s VIP rum lockers, in order to store your own personal bottle of Vizcaya VXOP.

Make sure to check out Rumbar on Saturday nights, when Grupo Nostalgia, a four-piece Latin music group, will truly transport you and your date to Old Havana. Any night of the week, however, is a perfect night to sit back and enjoy a cigar as the friendly bartender pours you a neat Vizcaya, at Key Biscayne’s upscale destination for the enjoyment of rum and Cuban culture.

Photograph courtesy of K. Hurley

What Cigar Do You Like To Pair Vizcaya VXOP With?

As with any pairing—wine and cheese, rum and food, music and mood, even peanut butter and jelly—the pairing of spirits and cigars is largely a subjective matter. What appeals or seems ideal to one man could well be a total turn-off for another, although it’s likely that they would all agree that at least half the fun is in the pursuit of a classic combination. If you enjoy Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 rum, and if you are a cigar smoker, it’s likely that you will already have done some experimentation to find your favorite cigar to pair with the ultimate sipping rum. Nevertheless, we are pleased to present a basic guide to rum and cigar pairing.

Rum and cigars are a natural match, simply because they are both traditionally produced in the same regions of the world. Just as vegetables that ripen concurrently in a particular climate tend to go well together, so the spicy, smoky flavors of rum tend to complement the warm and complex notes of a good cigar. Of course, the fact that both promote relaxation is not to be ignored, and for many cigar and rum aficionados, the very act of pouring that glass of Vizcaya and lighting up might produce a Pavlovian effect, allowing you to kick back and savor the moment thoroughly.

The first rule of thumb when choosing a cigar to puff with your Vizcaya is to choose one with an equally robust flavor profile. Vizcaya VXOP, after all, has a depth and intensity that works well with  many cigars. Its weight of flavor, which comes from having been distilled with real sugar cane and then aged in oaken barrels, requires a cigar that is also substantial enough to create some balance between the two indulgences.

That said, there are times when contrast becomes harmonious. As long as the cigar won’t pale in comparison to your neat or on-the-rocks Vizcaya, or vice-versa, choosing a particularly smooth and sweet cigar will provide a tasteful counterpoint. The notes of brown sugar, butterscotch, vanilla and maple in Vizcaya will sing more prominently when echoed by a rum that exhibits characters of sweetness. moke loves sweetness. Think of the way barbecue sauces often incorporate an element of sweet, fruity flavor that is tempered and deepened by the smoke of the grill.

Yet even a drier, more savory cigar can complement Vizcaya VXOP nicely, by playing up the rum’s substantial spice elements. You might notice a new element—say, clove or black pepper, oak, raisin or molasses—when enjoying a medium-bodied cigar, which wasn’t apparent just moments ago, before you lit up.

Vizcaya’s refined, intricate taste profile can be enjoyed on its own merits, or amplified by your favorite cigar. We think that the attempt to find the perfect marriage of a cigar with Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 rum is a task well worth pursuing, and we invite you to share some of your favorite cigars in the comment.

Photo courtesy of Alex Brown

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!”

Vizcaya VXOP and Dominos At Philly’s Rum Bar

Let’s face it: when you think of rum, Philadelphia is not the first location to come to mind. The owner and mixologist behind Rum Bar, however, wants to change that.

Adam Kanter has painstakingly crafted a rum list and cocktail menu to showcase a variety of rums, including the ultimate sipping rum, Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21. Rum Bar, which is located conveniently just off Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square Park, is a cozy yet not overly intimate setting in which to sip a glass of Vizcaya and perhaps indulge in a small plate or two from the restaurant’s island-inspired menu. After all, who could resist an order of jerk chicken wings, Jamaican beef patties, or ahi tuna tacos with pineapple slaw, pico de gallo and sweet avocado sauce?

Don’t let the delectable food offerings fool you, however; this is a serious rum bar, with a collection of over 140 rums and a cocktail menu designed to showcase them. The knowledgeable bartenders at Rum Bar will mix you up something familiar—a mojito or Mai Tai made high-end by the addition of Vizcaya—or something a little more esoteric. How does a creole daiquiri or a cucumber-rum sour sound? And should your companion be less of a rum enthusiast than you, there’s also a unique selection of South American wines.

Rum Bar features live music, ranging from samba to calypso to rock, every Saturday night, as well as rum flights, and drink and food specials that differ each day. Perhaps most notable among their special events, however, are their Save the Daiquiri Wednesdays, in which the bartenders will craft authentic daiquiris for half price, while patrons can enjoy a spirited game of dominos and the laid-back sounds of live reggae music.

The ambiance at Rum Bar is lush, warm and inviting—much like the experience of sipping Vizcaya VXOP. So the next time you’re in Philly and want to talk rum or enjoy some good company while drinking great Cuban-style Vizcaya VXOP rum, stop in to the Rum Bar Lounge and Restaurant.