If you are a rum connoisseur, you would have been in awe of the variety that the guests experienced at The Calcutta Malts & Spirits Club’s annual spirits bash - Rum Vida, at Hyatt Regency Kolkata. The afternoon of November 26 was spent sipping on rare and aged rum from the Bacardi Reserve. While the guests at the event were contemplating whether the four-year-old would mix well with ginger ale or would pineapple juice complement the eight-year-old, t2 had its favourites. The four-year-old should be experienced in the form of daiquiri topped with a mint leaf, while the eight-year-old paired excellently with apple juice and ice. The exquisite 10-year-old goes best when consumed “on the rocks”.
The day was themed around Latin America where rum was born. So, there was a Latin American-themed brunch and a Caribbean casual dress code. Unlimited specially curated alcohols and a diverse menu that included the cuisines of Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Cuba and Jamaica, were thoroughly enjoyed by guests.
"A daiquiri please!" was a line you always heard at the open bar at Rum Vida. This elegant and simplistic cocktail was a massive hit that afternoon. It was made using the four-year-old Bacardi Anejo Cuatro, lime juice and pineapple juice. A mint leaf further accentuated the sips.
The Bacardi Reserva Ocho Treacle was a modern classic cocktail that was made with Bacardi Reserva that was aged over eight years. Apple juice and aromatic bitters were mixed along with the rum to result in this outstanding drink.
Bacardi Trade Ambassador of East, Ashitosh Narayanan said: "This is a one-of-a-kind event and we are very glad that we collaborated with The Calcutta Malts & Spirits Club. These are all imported rums that we want the guests to experience today. India is one among the handful of countries in the world where Bacardi manufactures rum. Moreover, events like these break the myth of lack of good quality rums in India."
The president of The Calcutta Malts & Spirits Club, Subhasis Ganguli has travelled the world in the quest of the best drinks. “The 10-year-old rum is my most preferred choice today. It must not be mixed with anything apart from a couple of ice cubes for the ideal taste,” said Ganguly. He added, “At the club, we celebrate and scrutinise our drinks simultaneously. We want the alcohol enthusiasts of Calcutta to experience rum outside of Old Monk. Every year we have base our annual bash around a different kind of alcohol. Rum was undoubtedly the perfect one for this November.