UK RumFest
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| UK RumFest | |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
The UK RumFest is a festival promoting rum and related alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom.[1] The festival claims to be the largest exhibition of rum culture in the world.[2][3]
Background
[edit]The festival was founded by Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell in 2007, who was keen to promote rum as a drink.[4][5] Burrell had worked in the drinks trade as a bartender since 1990. In 1998, he had started working with the Jamaican rum distiller, blender and bottler J. Wray and Nephew Ltd.[5] The company initially employed Burrell on a part-time basis, leading to a full-time role in 2003. Burrell subsequently work for other drinks brands on an ad hoc basis and with organisations such as the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association, which represents several different Caribbean rums.[4][5] The UK Rumfest has led to the influence of rum festivals and fairs all over the world including The Miami Rum Renaissance festival, the Puerto Rico Rum Festival "Taste of Rum", the Berlin Rumfest, MidWest Rum Fest, California Rum Fest, Paris Rhum fest and the first rum festival in Mauritius.[6][7]
Current festival
[edit]The UK RumFest was initially launched in 2007.[8] It is held annually in London.[citation needed]
Over the past eight years, the festival has seen a growth in exhibitors,[9] and provides areas for both the general public and specialist / trade customers.[2][8] The festival showcases more than 400 rums produced by a variety of distilleries,[2] including Havana Club, Mount Gay and House of Angostura.[10] It also features a programme of rum focused workshops, seminars and classes.[11]
In October 2013, the UK RumFest also featured the Connoisseur’s Cove[8][12] – an exclusive area of the exhibition reserved for specific attendees.
Related events
[edit]The organisers of the festival, The Rum Experience have started a Rum Experience University[13] which provides students with information about the rum trade.[13][14][15] It covers rum and its production and advertising.[13][14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Going Out - Events & Attractions: UK RumFest". London Evening Standard (Online). Retrieved 12 September 2013. [failed verification]
- ^ a b c "What's on: UK RumFest". ExCeL London. Retrieved 12 September 2013. [failed verification]
- ^ Holland, Peter (6 June 2013). "RumFest 2013 Preview". The Floating Rum Shack. Retrieved 12 September 2013. [dead link]
- ^ a b "RumFest: Q&A with UK Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell". Spoonfed.co.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2013. [failed verification]
- ^ a b c Smith, Hamish (July 2007). "A man for all seasons". Drinks International. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Hopkins, Amy (7 August 2013). "IAN BURRELL LAUNCHES FIRST MAURITIAN RUM FESTIVAL". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Smith, Hamish (8 August 2013). "Mauritius Rum Festival dates announced". Drinks International. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ a b c Kearns, Emily (7 June 2013). "UK RumFest returns for seventh year". Harpers. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Creavalle, Dunstan (9 October 2012). "UK RUMFEST 2012 PREVIEW". Socanews. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Deighton, Katie (9 October 2014). "Earls Court to host Bacardi and Havana Club at Rumfest". Event Magazine.
- ^ "UK RumFest". Time Out. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Davis, Christian (6 June 2013). "UK RumFest returns". Drinks International. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ a b c Kaarlas, Tatu (11 July 2013). "Rum Experience University to launch in September". Refined Vices. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ a b Siddle, Richard (10 July 2013). "Rum Experience University offers intensive education". Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Rum university launched to offer diploma for trade". Bar Magazine. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.