2009 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition

Miami Beach, Florida May 14-15, 2009


The 2009 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition was held at the Florida Room at the Delano Hotel on Miami Beach May 14 - 15th, just before Rum Renaissance. This is an opportunity for sugar cane spirits to be judged in a format which has been refined since Edward Hamilton conducted the first International Sugar Cane Spirits Tasting Competition in Ybor City in 2006.
Flavored Rum - Bronze Medal
Bacardi Dragonberry
Don Q Mojito
White Rum - Bronze Medal
Aguardiente Cristal
Gold Rum - Bronze Medal
Bacardi Gold Rum
Dark Rum - Bronze Medal
San Miguel Rum
Flavored Rum - Silver Medal
Bacardi Limón
Don Q Coco
Don Q Limón
Don Q Pasión
Steele Rum
White Rum - Silver Medal
Cruzan Light Aged Rum
Don Q Cristal
Dark Rum - Silver Medal
Maui Dark Rum
Gold Rum - Silver Medal
Don Q Gold
Montanya Oro
Aged Rum - Silver Medal
Don Q Añejo
Ron Viejo de Caldas 3 Yrs
Tommy Bahama Golden Sun
Flor de Cana Rum 7 year old
Premium Rum - Silver Medal
Chairman's Reserve
Flavored Rum - Gold Medal
Castries Rum Cream
Rogue Hazelnut Spiced Rum
Hacienda Saruro
MaDoudou Vanille
Rum Jumbie
Rum Jumbie Coconut Splash
Seven Tiki Spiced Rum
White Rum - Gold Medal
Bacardi Superior
Diplomatico Blanco
El Dorado 3 Year Old Cask Aged White Rum
Montanya Platino
Temptryst Applewood Light
Temptryst Hickory Light
Temptryst Peachwood Light
Tommy Bahama White Sand
Agricole - Gold Medal
Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
Cachaça - Gold Medal
Boca Loca Cachaça
Cabana Cachaça
D J Cachaça
Dark Rum - Gold Medal
Bacardi Select Rum
Cruzan Aged Dark Rum
Rogue Dark Rum
Aged Rum - Gold Medal
Abuelo 7 year old
El Dorado 5 Year Old Cask Aged Rum
Flor de Cana Rum Gold 4 year old
Castro Rum
Cubaney 8 Años Solera Reserva
Premium Rum - Gold Medal
Abuelo 12 year old
Admiral Rodney
Bacardi 8
Barceló Gran Añejo Rum
Barceló Imperial Rum
Don Q Gran Añejo
Ron Viejo de Caldas 8 Yrs
Bacardi Reserva Limitada
Cubaney 15 Años Solera Reserva
Cruzan Single Barrel
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva
Dos Maderas PX
Mount Gay Extra Old Barbados Rum
Opthimus 25 Años Summa Cum Laude
St. Nicholas Abbey 10 Years Old
Vizcaya Cask 21 Rum
Zaya

Here is a list of the 2009 judges.

While there are other respected tasting competitions in the US and Europe, this is an opportunity for Sugar Cane Spirits to be judged on their own merit and in classes recognized by the Sugar Cane Spirits industry.

Sugar Cane Spirits were judged for their aroma, initial taste, body and finish on a scale of 1 - 25 for each attribute. Judges then added their scores for these attributes and gave a final rating which was used to calculate awards.

In order to limit palate fatigue the tasting competition is divided into four sessions with one break during each session. During the breaks the judges are encouraged to discuss anything other than the spirits they are tasting during that session. At least 20 judges at each tasting session ensures that no one or two judges can influence the results and that each spirit is judged on its own merit.

None of the judges are compensated for their travel or accommodation expenses during the competition. There are no corporate sponsors for this competition. Edward Hamilton and the Ministry of Rum are solely responsible for the competition and the results.

2008 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition - New Orleans results

2007 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition - New Orleans results

2006 International Cane Spirits Tasting Competition - Ybor City results

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