It’s October so that means one thing! No, not Halloween! It means it’s Rumfest once again.
Taking place on 19th & 20th October, Rumfest returns to Earl’s Court famous ILEC Conference Centre for one weekend only bringing together some of the best rum brands under one roof for rum enthusiasts to sample and find out about.
The weekend-long festival, this year sponsored by Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, will offer over 400 of the rarest, most diverse and delicious rums from around the world, for guests to sip and savour their way through on a journey of flavour discovery.
Expect exciting rum launches, an exclusive rum auction, intimate speaker sessions and masterclasses from world-renowned Master Blenders, while cocktails will be flowing from two of London’s award-winning rum bars, Laki Kane and Trailer Happiness, mixing show-stopping drinks all weekend.
On top of discovering new rums, guests can expand their rum knowledge and join seminars from the most prestigious makers around the world, including:
• Trudiann Baker – the first-ever female Master Blender.
• Grasp Jamaican’s rum history and landscape with Worthy Park – the oldest currently operating Estate in Jamaica.
• Visit the Don Q Experiential Suite
• Workshops from Mount Gay, Velier, Ron Malecon, Plantation and Foursquare Distillery.
We’ve been Rumfest visitors since 2009 and every year the festival goes above and beyond to beat the year before. Born from the genius mind of Global Rum Ambassador (and friend to Cut The Cap) Ian Burrell, he said:
“The popularity of this incredible spirit in the UK has seen a rise in recent years, with sales topping £1 billion in 2018! Now in our 14th year, we’re incredibly proud to have played a part in this rise, helping people understand the value and quality of this spirit, and indulging rum lovers over the years. We cannot wait to continue educating rum lovers from the UK and around the world at RumFest 2019.”
Back again for 2019, the Rum Auction will see guests bidding for premium rums priced from £150 right up to £3500. Also confirmed for the weekend are Tiki cocktail author Jeff ‘Beachbum’ Berry, who’ll be doing a talk on the main stage, and Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell will host a premium rum tasting featuring six rums with an accumulated value of £1500.
With barrel-loads of rum keeping guests entertained all weekend, Caribbean-inspired restaurant, Heart & Soul, will be serving up delicious dishes, perfectly paired with a single tot or two, while enjoying the festival’s Carnival Hour.
But the fun doesn’t just start on Saturday as the week leading up to Rumfest is London Rum Week, an annual celebration comprised of tastings, competitions and events in various venues across the capital.
London Rum Week highlights include the Angostura 10th Anniversary Cocktail Competition and the Monymusk Rum Sponsored Rum & Jazz party and the RumWeek Hukilau, taking place at Trader Vic on Friday 18th October.
Tickets are available but are selling out quick so be sure to get your tickets here.