Link: Visiting Demerara Distillers Limited →
"The double wooden still hails from the Port Mourant (PM) Estate, which was founded in 1732."
DDL has quite the collection of working stills.
Link: Rhum agricole from Louisiana →
"You have 15 feet of alluvial soil, and it's arguably the best soil on the planet, the most fertile. Look at some of the Caribbean nations, and they are four feet deep in alluvial soil. So we're looking for something really unique, a little more grassy, a little more indicative of the actual cane."
Link: Rhum Barbancourt Distillery and Port-au-Prince →
"Barbancourt is a national icon in Haiti, because it’s a good product that everybody likes," says Duret, echoing Gardère's sentiments. "But also because it’s one of the only Haitian products that’s internationally recognized and acclaimed. Haitians are very proud of Barbancourt and they consider it a national treasure."
Link: How to Use Batavia Arrack →
"Batavia arrack remains, undoubtedly, a more divisive spirit than others that are simply misunderstood, forgotten or pigeonholed. But used strategically—whether in punches, as a rum replacement or as an unexpected seasoner akin to aromatic bitters—it can be a powerful tool in the cocktail-maker’s arsenal, albeit one with repercussions."
No need to be scared. Arrack is good stuff.
"Heroes"
“And you, you can be mean
And I, I’ll drink all the time”