Why malign rum??

[HavanaClub]

Why does rum seem to have fallen so far out of favour in drinking circles in the western world? Its popularity in its glorious Caribbean home has never waned but methinks the "Rum n' coke" (properly referred to as a Cuba Libra) has attracted some kind of stigma. Any other rum drinkers out there?

[kurogane]

Why does rum seem to have fallen so far out of favour in drinking circles in the western world? Its popularity in its glorious Caribbean home has never waned but methinks the "Rum n' coke" (properly referred to as a Cuba Libra) has attracted some kind of stigma. Any other rum drinkers out there?

While I am a staunch supporter of all forms of Cuba Libra, whether in its current imperfect form, or a future more cooperative form, hopefully one that excludes ruthlessly all those parasitic fascist bastards in Miami, I have to declare without fear of duplicity that I HATE RUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But that's only because it was the first liquor I ever got stinking drunk on, and the smell of it still makes me nauseous. Shame, really, but such is memory and olfactory.

I do, however, support unconditionally the right of all to choose their own poison, and will defend that right, well, maybe not to the utmost, but, well, you know..............................

[HavanaClub]

Have too been reeking trolleyed on the golden nectar but haven't let that disuade. The adaptability friends!! Cocktails, straight, culinary applications, white, dark, gold, the Spanish islands, the English islands, Martinique....this song is my soul..the soul of rum.
As far as principle goes however, personal choice remains the soul of drinking. What Sir shady coins be yours? Argggg....(conjure stock pirate images)

[canadamanada]

You know anything about Newfie Screech, son?

[HavanaClub]

Is that what Newfs do when molested by sweaty-palmed mainlanders? Actually have heard of it....stuff of legend that. Does it actually qualify as rum?

[canadamanada]

Is that what Newfs do when molested by sweaty-palmed mainlanders? Actually have heard of it....stuff of legend that. Does it actually qualify as rum?

Most certainly does! It's a pure Jamaican Black Rum. Sweet and warm. Like a Newf lassie on a cold winter's night in her father's wood shed with her pants round 'er hankles!

Me? I'm the stuff of legend.

Here's a history lesson:
Screech In History
Long before any liquor board was created to take alcohol under its benevolent wing, Demerara rum was a mainstay of the Newfoundland diet, with salt fish traded to the West Indies in exchange for rum. When the Government took control of the traditional liquor business in the early 20th century, it began selling the rum in an unlabelled bottle. The product might have remained permanently nameless except for the influx of American servicemen to the Island during World War II.

As the story goes, the commanding officer of the original detachment was having his first taste of Newfoundland hospitality and, imitating the custom of his host, downed his drink in one gulp. The American's blood-curdling howl, when he regained his breath, brought the sympathetic and curious from miles around rushing to the house to find out what was going on.

The first to arrive was a garrulous old American sergeant who pounded on the door and demanded, "What the cripes was that ungodly screech?"

The taciturn Newfoundlander who had answered the door replied simply, "The Screech? Tis the rum, me son."

Thus was born a legend. As word of the incident spread, the soldiers, determined to try this mysterious "Screech" and finding its effects as devastating as the name implies, adopted it as their favourite.

The opportunistic liquor board pounced on the name and reputation and began labeling Newfoundland Screech, the most popular brand on the Island, even today (nowadays they use Jamaican rum).

[HavanaClub]

Excellent!! Have you ever actually tried it?

[edinjapan]

Excellent!! Have you ever actually tried it?

If he hasn't they'll never allow him back to Port au Basques.

[HavanaClub]

If he hasn't they'll never allow him back to Port au Basques.

The ole' screech being part of some disturbing, Newf initiation rites I suppose; "Aye there's nay a bay's ner ad the screech t'be sure".

[canadamanada]

Tried it?
HAHA! I might be the only man in Japan with a bottle of it!!! I was raised on that! Me mudder used ta put it in me boddle ta get me ta sleep!
My son, I'm some tuff!

[edinjapan]

Tried it?
HAHA! I might be the only man in Japan with a bottle of it!!! I was raised on that! Me mudder used ta put it in me boddle ta get me ta sleep!
My son, I'm some tuff!

Ya best be bay!

[HavanaClub]

Nothing to say 'tall. Five Pina Coladas and about an equal number of straights later. Though, this fine stuff out a teat might be somethin then again! Aye t'ya Newfs!

[canadamanada]

Ya best be bay!

My son! Round ere, you besss know oo da respeck, ann oo da look down awn. Chinpira punks, dey knows oo I is. Shinjo-pussy wannabeIs.
Dey hall wants ta be HI. HI'm hawsome!
One o' dese days, hi'll come down Tokyo way, han we'll hall get pissed. HI'll punh de heach o' yuz in da face, han you'll hall luv me fer it.
Hawsome, hi hiz!

[HavanaClub]

Indeed, why malign rum? A drink of exceptional teste and fregrance, rum moost certainly share a plece alongside the feenest brandies or whiskeys of the werld. Boot aye, den dere's da screech...'ts noot w'oot a cless aw 'ts oown bet aye.... de goot moor'n a few gud men he went...ggg ssss baye nheg jhukj kjhkjy khjkgkuiy aye t'be sure jhjkghbnbng

[in.between]

so havana club you will be happy to know i drank a shot of bacardi ocho anos last night.


it was tastey. i rarely drink shots of rum. that may have been my first straight shot of rum in a long time if ever.

[HavanaClub]

Good one in.between. Tasty stuff innit? For what it's worth (probably not much but..) there was apparently some wine and spirits tasting competition in France some years ago that included some fine, Jamaican and Martiniquan rums being tasted alongside some of the best Cognacs and Armagnacs. The story goes that some professional tasting chap mistook the rum for some top-shelf Cognac. There you have it. Rum for thought eh?

[Ed Ob]

My wife is a big fan of Rum and Coke (has to be dark rum) but I prefer it neat.
I used to like Amaretto and Coke when I was about 20 but these days I don't really like Coke/Cola as a mixer with anything.
The result is like wearing white socks with a sharp suit.

[HavanaClub]

Ed. Agreed. I don't use a lot of cola-the occasional Cuba Libra being the exception. Juice-based cocktails or, as you mentioned, neat are much preferred.

[swordfishtrombone]

Pampero's my poison. On the rocks, please.


HC, what's yours?

[HavanaClub]

Havana Club Anejo 7 year-old, Barbancourt, Bacardi ochos anos, and any of the older Appleton Estates rums. A few beers are usually a part of any drinking session and I have something of a wine collection as well.

[in.between]

yeah get a hold of that bacardi 8 anos if at all possible. i have never seen it before but it was as smooth as diamonds.


looked quite similar to bacardi gold reserve or solera bottles i previously mentioned.

furthermore...

when i was in college my roommate and i used to take bacardi anejo and put in our chocolate chip milkshakes, suprisingly it was really good.

[HavanaClub]

Makes sense when you remember how often rum is used in the preparation of deserts. I don't (on principle anyway) drink on work nights which means I've got two more days before my next drops of the delicious cane nectar....ah...so long to wait.

[ptyk]

It's hard to beat the national drink of Bermuda: dark rum, ginger ale, and lime--a.k.a. the "Dark 'n' Stormy."

[HavanaClub]

PTYK, thanks for the recipe. I've never heard of that one but will be sure to give it a go when I get my next bottle. Sadly, am out of rum at the moment....

[eku]

if you wanna cut down on your drinking
try bananas fried in butter... add dark brown sugar to taste... let it caramelize a leedle.. add rum... flambe.......... and POOOOOOF... yummy dish.

[HavanaClub]

[QUOTE=eku]if you wanna cut down on your drinking


No. And why would I? Do you?

But really, I've tried that and it's rummy-in-the-tummy good. Rum, interestingly, found its way into both the stuffing and the sauce that accompanied my Christmas turkey! Lots of culinary applications to be tried.