Amphibian Dept: Whistling, frogs and rum...

[Capn Jimbo]

About the Whistling Frog logo...


Of course the look and feel of a forum or webstie can get tired, but then again there's something to be said for history and tradition. Perhaps the greatest mistake of this nature (pun intended) was when Mount Gay, whose 300 year tradition was exemplified by their bottles and label which had not changed much for over 100 years. Their new bottle and label is sterile, modern and in the end, didn't work. Of course the goal was to justify a massive price increase - from $32 to nearly $50, which almost as quickly returned to the old level and lower. It is now $29.95. They blew it.

That will not happen here. In our case the Frog has simply been spiffed up to closer depict the original vibrant colors, and to add "Click" for "Main Website" as many visitors had no idea there even was a main website, nor that the froggie was a link. The main site is a tremendous resource, and it too was improved (not changed). If you haven't been there...

Click on the Whistling Frog... and read on: a special quiz for only the most clever and observant readers follows.

[Capn Jimbo]

A few froggie factoids and filosophies frankly forwarded... and a question!!

Note: this lovely poss ends with a question that a good observer can answer. Only the most clever among you will succeed. Who will it be?

Just on the remote possiblity that you are interested in whistiling froggiedom, here is information absolutely essential for a complete understanding of all things rum.

First, and foremost, the froggie label is not faux, but factual. Whistling Frog Barbados Rum was a real rum, conceived by a Barbadian gent by the name of John Flann who owned a floating bar in Bridgetown, Barbados in the early 1990's. It was his dream to create and bottle a lfine white rum to be featured of course at his bar - Da Ark - and also for sale. It was bottled at a proper 86 proof.

The rum was developed and it met his goals of uniqueness. It was named after untold millions of tiny frogs from common to the eastern Caribbean islands, and whose nighttime whistling serenade joins that of the chorus crickets for a uniquely Caribbean lull to sleep. Accordingly you'll find the name "Whistling Frog" is included in the names of a goodly number of bars, cafes and restaurants.

The real whistling frog and its actual size...




Here's the complete label...


' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '


The label was certainly uniquely Caribbean and of high quality, with a metallicized blue edge, and raised dimensional bumps on the Whistling Frog, true to life. However, there were a couple of minor errors...

1. These frog do not wear red glasses. Honest.

2. The whistiling frog, though amphibian, spends most of its time out of the water, and gives birth via miniiscule eggs which hatch super tiny baby frogs, passing by the tadpole stage.

The closure was equally unique and features a built-in plastic frog whistle. The rums was labeled "authentic Caribbean" (because it was), and was sold by his "Deja VooDoo Trading Company". The product was launched and just about then...

John Flann died, well before his time. Accordingly - and I mean this - I respectfully ask our loyal readers and posters to join me now and pour a dram of a good Barbadian rum, preferably one of Richard Seales...

To John! God bless you and keep you our distant friend. We knew you naught, but we do know you anyway!

A Question for the Clever Observer: There is one more secret about Whistling Frog Barbadian Rum that I did not relate, but that an especially astute observer will find.

Who is clever and observant enough to tell me what very important factoid I left out?

[Capn Jimbo]

....bump.


In the post above I posed a question that a clever reader/observer should be able to answer. Now I know The Rum Project - moi excepted - is frequented by some of the most verbal, observant and clever posters on the net.

I challenge you!

[sleepy]

...the only thing not mentioned, but obvious on the label, is that this well-labelled (and I know these frogs - try to find one with a flashlight!) and probably short-lived rum was produced by the inimitable RL Seale distillery.

Beyond that, great choice of logos Jimbo, but I've never met a white rum I liked- Mezcal, that's something else!

[Capn Jimbo]

A toast to Sleepy!


Our good member Sleepy revealed what was on the edge of the label all the time: made by the great Richard Seale which means one thing - a good, pure rum of quality, purity and honest age.

Congratulations Sleepy!

[Dai]

There is nothing like a long stiff frog in your hand. Sounds like a fore runner to Ron De Jeremy.

[Capn Jimbo]

Spoken like a man who knows his, uh, frogs...