RUM OF THE MONTH

Someone once said that nobody knows how to party like the people of Trinidad.  Spirits expert Dave Broom is quoted as saying “Very few places in the world take such pleasure at just being alive”  

Being Puerto Rican and used to the joys of living, I'd take exception to this.  That is until I met my friend Vern.  Many of you may know him and if you do then you understand the quality and truth of the original statement.  If you do not, you should get to know him.  This may help you understand the Trinidadian lifestyle as well as give you a better perspective of the world overall.  Vern and company are like no one else in these parts (the Seattle area that is) and we are much better off knowing them.  Now, the main reason for that statement is I feel a good segue into the discussion and merits of Zaya rum.  Our featured rum of the month at La Isla.  

You see, Zaya used to be from Guatemala.  More importantly, the Zaya company would contract the rum out to be distilled and bottled at the Zacapa plant.  Unfortunately, (to a lot of fans of Zaya from Guatemala) when the Diageo company purchased the Zacapa company, Zaya (being the main competition) was left out in the cold.  They then turned to Angostura distillers in search of another place to continue their own production and thus the new Zaya was born.  It is somewhat similar to the older version and (I'm told) it in fact uses the same formula.  But since it is using a different type of aged rum from a different company and region, it has changed quite a bit.  Unfortunately we do not have an original bottle of the Guatemalan version to compare it with but that is besides the point.  The new rum is exquisite and stands very well on it’s own when compared to similar products.  The similarities between it and Zacapa are readily apparent.  Just take a look at the bottles side by side and see what I mean.  Someone at the last Rum Bums meeting described them as step brothers.  I'd like to think of them more like half brothers.  


In this blog we can debate similarities to no end, but the truth is that the rum is just terrific like so many other things Trinidadian.  This is one you should enjoy as you should life, one sip at a time.  Thanks for sharing this time with us and... SALUD!!!