A rum tasting is an event where people sample different flavors and styles of rum, enjoy special cocktails made with rum, and learn about the rums history and production. While they vary in format most tastings are organized as rum distillery tours.
Educational rum tastings enhance the travel experience as they provide insight into a country’s culture and historical background. These events do this in a way that many other festive events do not provide. Here are ways in which rum tastings enhance your travel experience and carnival atmosphere.
Cultural Awareness
While you are tasting the difference rums made available, you will be educated on the cultural heritage of the country. The significance of rum production in the country as well as the history. You will get to see how rum has shaped and been a part of the country’s culture. This will give you a deeper appreciation for the alcohol and its origins.
Social Interaction
Rum tastings are designed with an element of social interaction amongst the people participating. Guests are asked to share their taste description and experience which creates a fun atmosphere and reproduces the festive vibe of carnival. Many social gatherings in the Caribbean revolve around food and drinks, this creates a sense of community.
Promotes Local Brands and Businesses
Rum tastings will feature rum from local distilleries as well as incorporate local businesses from the country. This will be through the offering of souvenirs, small snacks and food items offered along with the rum tasting. This all depends on the tour you choose. This will give you a chance to learn about other brands within the country and local businesses that are worth checking out while on your stay.
Themed Events
Many rum tastings are usually based around particular themes or circumstances. Rum tastings include special cocktails that would reflect the country or special events depending on what time of year you are travelling. For example around carnival time in the Caribbean cocktails will reflect the culture of the island and have vibrant colors and be based around the festival.
Engaging Ambience
Rum tastings create an atmosphere that compliments the country you have travelled to and its celebrations. In the islands they would incorporate soca music and decorate the location to reflect the culture. Together the music and atmosphere create an enjoyable experience.
Rum Tastings Provide Variety
As stated earlier in this post rum tastings are usually organized as tours of a rum distillery. While this is fantastic you will be limited to only the rum that particular distillery offers. If you book a rum tasting tour you can visit different distilleries in the same day and get to taste a wide variety of rum all for an affordable price.
Rum tastings are a good way to get a better understanding of the traditions in the country you are visiting especially the Caribbean. It is a good way to experience the culture and taste some of the best rum the country has to offer. Have you ever been to a rum tasting in the Caribbean, let us know of your experiences in the comments below.