Seminar Agenda
11:00 AM | Lets make RUM @ Wright & Brown Dist.
Brief: Enjoy a VIP experience at Wright & Brown Distillery in Oakland, where Co-Founder Earl Brown will personally guide you through the fascinating process of crafting rum.
1:30pm | Rum Expert Registration
2:30PM | Asia Pacific Gems | Fiji, Australia & Taiwan
Brief: Join Joris Linke of E&A Scheer. Ryn Gilbertie of Superlative Spirits – Importer for Renaissance Rum, and Alexandre Gabriel, Master Blender at Maison Ferrand, for a fascinating exploration of Asia-Pacific rum gems. From the rich, bold character of Fiji to the innovative spirits of Australia and the Philippines, discover how this diverse region is reshaping the rum world—long thought to be defined by the Caribbean.
2:00pm | Trade Session Registration
3:30PM | Legends of the Swizzle Stick
Brief: Supposedly, for something to be a true Caribbean swizzle stick used to prepare many rum cocktails, it must come from the Caribbean swizzle stick tree (Quararibea turbinata). Its star-shaped branches have been used for centuries to stir and aerate cocktails, acting as a natural, hand-spun blender. In this spirited seminar, bar expert Raymon Edwards of Angostura Rum and Adam Rains, Beverage Director & Principal Barman at The Golden Tiki, Las Vegas, will take you on a journey through the history, culture, and enduring magic of the swizzle stick in “Legends of the Swizzle Stick.”
3:00pm | Rum Enthusiastic Session Registration
4:30PM | American Rums
Brief: American rum is making a strong comeback. Before the Revolution, rum was the most consumed spirit in the colonies—New England not only crafted exceptional rums but also imported them from across the Caribbean. Today, two leading American distilleries step into the spotlight to showcase their distinctive styles and passion for rum. On the panel: Erin and Kevin Wright of Striped Lion Distillery on the East Coast, and Earl Brown of Wright & Brown, a celebrated Bay Area distillery.
4:00pm | Intro to Rum - General Admission Session Registration
5:30PM | Rum Revival: Exploring Agricole and Industrial Styles, Global History, and Cultural Significance
Brief: Delve into the dual worlds of agricole and industrial rums in “Rum Revival: Exploring Agricole and Industrial Styles, Global History, and Cultural Significance.” Join Daniel Tindal, General Manager of Crillon Importers, who has helped bring the storied Rhum Barbancourt from Haiti to the U.S.—a partnership that has been fueling American appreciation for this legendary agricole rum since at least the late 1990s
1:30PM | Check In
Brief: TBA
2:00PM | DUNDERSTRUCK: A Deep Dive into the Legendary Hampden Estate
Brief: Kate Perry of LM&V leads an in-depth tasting of Hampden Estate, one of Jamaica’s most storied distilleries. With centuries of history and singular production methods, Hampden crafts rums unlike any others—iconic, intensely aromatic, and truly unique in the world of spirits. Experience the magic and mystery of expressions like Trelawny Rum in this session.
3:00 PM | Spanish sherry cask: Manzanilla. Fino. Amontillado. Oloroso. Palo Cortado.
Brief: From the coastal freshness of Manzanilla to the deep complexity of Oloroso and the rare elegance of Palo Cortado, Spanish sherry casks bring an extraordinary range of character to the world of spirits. This session explores the unique styles—Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado—and reveals how their individual personalities shape the rums aged within them.
4:00 PM | A small town of Arecibo - Rums of Puerto Rico
Brief: The city and municipality of Arecibo at one point was one of the most important rum and sugar producers in Puerto Rico. Join Fede J. Hernández (author and rum aficionado) as he glance over Arecibo’s history.
5:00 PM | The Rum Never Sets: A Voyage into Navy Rum History and Production. Alexandre Gabriel Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum, Sail No.2"
Brief: Join us for a special presentation with Alexandre Gabriel, co-author of The Rum Never Sets alongside famed spirits writer and historian Matt Pietrek. Alexandre will be our captain, charting a course through the fascinating history and production of Navy rum. We’ll drop anchor and dive deep into the components of Mister Fogg’s Sail No. 2, tasting each one before we raise a glass of the final blend. “Splice the mainbrace!”
6:00 PM | Essential Rums for Tiki Cocktails
Brief: Just starting as a home bartender and looking to make tiki cocktails? It seems like you’d need to invest thousands of dollars in acquiring dozens of different rums, but most recipes can be made with just a few. We’ll discuss the essential rum styles and provide an approach for starting or expanding your collection.
