Last night I was surprised to be told that the site had been nominated for an award.  The Golden Rum Barrel Awards are a celebration of 10 years of the London UK Rumfest, ran by Global Rum Ambassador Ian A V Burrell.

The Golden Rum Barrel Awards celebrates the stars of the rum industry with a 3 course rum dinner at the Kensington Crowne Plaza Hotel. It’s the UK RumFest’s 10th show so this year’s awards will focus on 10 years of rum achievers.

Crowne Plaza London – Kensington, London on Sunday 23 October 2016

sponsored by Green Engineering srl

Considering the site has only been in its current guise since December 2014 it is an achievement just to be nominated.  We certainly haven’t been around 10 years!  There are some very notable absentees from the list.  As I understand it nominees have been decided by UK rum drinkers.

Sadly I’m attending Rumfest on the Saturday and travelling back to the North East on the Sunday.  Had I known about the nomination I probably would have attended the dinner.  Though that may be for the best as I’m not a good loser and theres some pretty stiff competition including 2011 winner TheFloatingrumShack.  I’ll be on a charm offensive at the Rumfest though…..

Here is a list of all nominees we are nominated in the Best UK Rum web site category.

1. Most influential Rum Blender over the last 10 years
Joy Spence (Appleton Estate, Jamaica)
Juan Gavito Sanchez (Bacardi, México)
Tito Cordero (Diplomático, Venezuela)
Nestor Ortega (Ron Santa Teresa Venezuela)

2. Distillery Ambassador over past 10 years
John Georges (Angostura Rums, Trinidad)
Jose Sanchez Gavito (Bacardi,Mexico)
Joy Spence (Appleton Estate, Jamaica)
Richard Seale (Foursquare Distillery, Barbados)
Roberto Serralles (Serralles Distillery, Puerto Rico)

3. Most influential Rum bar in the UK over past 10 years
The Liars Club, Manchester
Mahiki (London)
MOJO (Leeds)
MOJO Manchester (Manchester)
Trailer Happiness (London)

4. International Rum Brand Ambassador 2016
Alexx Mouzouris (Don Q Rum)
Daniyel Jones (Angostura Rum)
Dickie Cullimore (Bacardi Rum)
Meimi Sanchez (Havana Club)
Miguel Smith (Mount Gay Rum)

5. UK Rum Brand Ambassador 2016
George Frost (Duppy Share)
Jon Lister (Diplomatico Rum)
Jonathan Almonte (Botran Rum)
Metinee Kongsrivilai (Bacardi Rum portfolio)
Sean Duprey Angostura (House of Angostura)

6. Rum Bar Team of the year 2016
Mahiki, London
Trailer Happiness, London
Merchant House, London
Rum & Sugar, London
The Liars Club, Manchester

7. Best UK Rum Web Site 2016
Rumbustioustimes.co.uk
Rum@Charlosa
Rum Diaries Blog
thefatrumpirate
Thefloatingrumshack.com

8. Best New Rum Brand in the UK 2016
Foursquare Rum Distillery 2006 Single Blended Rum
Don Q Signature release 2005
NINE LEAVES Rum Angel’s Half French Oak Cask
Velier Hampden Jamaica 2010
WILD TIGER RUM
Foursquare Rum Distillery 11 year Zinfandel Cask

9. Rum Influencer of the Year 2016
Federico Hernandez (Midwest & California Rum Fests)
Luca Ruruki Gargano (Velier Rums, and Ambassador of Pure rums)
Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove voted Best bar in USA)
Richard Seale (Foursquare Distillery)
Beachbum Jeffrey Berry(Tiki Historian, Author and Latitude 29 Bar owner)

10. Rum Menu of the Year 2016
Cubana Tapas Bar Sheffield (Sheffield)
Rum & Sugar (London)
The Rum Kitchen (London)
Merchant House (London)

There are also awards for the BOUTIQUE RUMFEST RUM OF THE YEAR, as voted by the trade that attends the BOUTIQUE RUMFEST on Friday 21st at the Ibis Hotel,

All the results will be announced at the Golden Rum Barrel Awards Dinner on 23rd October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kensington, London.

Tickets available here.