www.TheFloatingRumShack.com

Have We Just Walked Into A Rum Rave? 

We are fortunate enough to attend launch parties for new products – it’s a very cool benefit to writing about rum.  Some we are invited to and some we find out about and make sure we end up on the guest list – its normally the latter that we are particularly keen about; because it means that we are looking to meet up with someone or something new.

So it’s a (not so) quick whizz down to the Shoreditch area of London after the day jobs duties are complete, with the intention of looking up a place known only as Cordy House.  The man at the door with the guest list made us realise we were on the right track – but the venue (a bit derelict) was a little confusing.  The event was upstairs, which was a relief because I’m sure hard hats would have been compulsory downstairs.

Heading up a narrow staircase we reach our goal; I’m struck by the fact that it feels like we are heading to a rave.  A rum rave?  Now there’s a thing!  What with the graffiti and the ‘keep out’ area taped off, I really did wonder what I was heading into.  Then it struck me!  It’s meant to be cool...  Then a further thought struck me – by thinking that way, I’m obviously too old to appreciate ‘the cool’ and therefore will appear to the crowd like someone has brought their Granddad along.  Not cool!

I was less worried when we reach the main event – a large space, not overly busy at that time (due to a clash with the popular Imbibe Show which is a shame), a DJ playing some great tunes – a bar serving a selection of great cocktails and several displays that just scream out for the guests to get involved with the primary focus of the night – Pampero Blanco!

I’ve a strong desire to head out to Venezuela for a holiday – the rum is generally of a style to just suit me perfectly and the image of the people and their country seems to be effortless and chilled.  The previously mentioned music is hitting the spot and after trying the fabulous mojito and the dark and stormy and the daiquiri and the nestron – I’m feeling pretty good.

The main focus for us is to establish a contact point at the Reserve Brands arm of Diageo.  Diageo are huge and have several brands under their wing that TheFloatingRumShack.com would love to write in more detail about.  Meeting the rather cool Simon and his colleague Lisa tick the 'contact' boxes nicely, so I’m confident that we can start bringing Diageo rum news to website in the future.

What else?  Well the BBQ was ace – it was fun dodging the rain clouds on the roof terrace.  The DJ was wearing the maddest T-shirt ever (Luke Skywalkers X-wing spacesuit of all things) and great drinks.  So although we didn’t stay at the event for long due to the epic drive home, the night was well worth the effort.

What, what else?  Oh yes – the rum!  Pampero Blanco is a real winner – real easy to mix and has a lovely, lovely flavour!  Make sure you keep an eye out for it when you’re out and about – be warned, it is a new rum to the UK market really and although we tried it some months ago when visiting the über cool, Urban Reef bar in Southbourne, (near Bournemouth) it’s very new and so doesn’t have great market coverage yet. 

TheFloatingRumShack.com has tried three expressions of Pampero to date – the Blanco, the Añejo Especial and the Anniversario – all three have been just fantastic!  We will have to look at the rum separately though – as there has been far too much rambling for now.

P.S.  The granddad in me wants to add one thing – make sure you ‘go’ before to you get to Cordy House as the toilets are seriously grim...  You have been warned!  TTFN