What is it about Labor Day?

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Tue May 28, 2013 6:13 am

What is it about Labor Day?

I'm stumped but it's true. Over the last weekend or so, there has been a silence in the world of rum. I first noticed it here of course, but since I follow the other sites (I do this so you don't have to, lol), it is fair to say that for some reason, neither the webmasters nor the readers had much to say at all.

What typically happens over at the Shillery is that at a point, the Preacher gets nervous when the monkeys go silent - he prefers a low chatter. At that point the normally Reclusive One will post more in a day that he normally does in a couple or three weeks. Reassured, the simians rush in to scramble about his towering legs, each eager for contact.

That day was today, with the Preacher making not one, but four new pronouncements in a row, amazing! But I digress. Just what is it about this holiday that led to a silence in the wacky world of rum? Or could it be there's just not much to say anymore? Have the drinkers finally tired of the few new, but mostly made up products? Has the takeover by the Big Three left people (rightfully) dumbstruck? Has the Great Recession finally led to a sense of depression? Or are people simply bored?

I am. The truth - there comes a point where there's only just so much you can say about a spirit dominated by altered products. I simply cannot get nearly as excited about additives as I can about the relatively the few truly fine and pure rums known to us all. It is fair to say that the takeover of spirits by the mega-conglomerates has led to a certain homogenization as these corporations continue to try to whip up new products and new markets by downgrading whatever they touch.

This kind of manufactured excitement is simply not justified, and en masse, the unrelenting torrent of advertising and marketing simply overwhelms, tires and dulls the people. Your thoughts?

bearmark · Post by **bearmark** » Tue May 28, 2013 12:45 pm

Actually, it's Memorial Day

and I only know that because I just returned from a 2-week vacation to Sedona, AZ and Breckenridge, CO. I didn't find anything special in the way of rum, but I did land a few bottles of interesting whiskey (Argonaut Liquor in Denver is fantastic):

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey - $50 (92 on Wine Enthusiast, 88 on BTI)
Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon - $38 (91 on BTI)
St. George Single Malt (Lot 12) - $69 (Lot 10 is 9.2 on Sour Mash Manifesto)

I also acquired a few good beers, but alas they were mistakenly left behind in Sedona

:

Bell's Two-Hearted Ale (100 on RateBeer)
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout (100 on RateBeer)
O'dell IPA (98 on RateBeer)

Someone on the staff at the resort is enjoying some great beer.

Uisge · Post by **Uisge** » Tue May 28, 2013 2:17 pm

Bearmark, I'm surprised you didn't come back with a bottle of the excellent Breckenridge bourbon, since you were there.

Cap'n, I suspect that more people were otu in the real world, having bbq and such, rather than being tied to their computer, like some hermits were (as I would have been were I not pet sitting for a friend).

bearmark · Post by **bearmark** » Tue May 28, 2013 2:49 pm

I did have several tastes of Breckenridge Bourbon during our stay there (and it is quite good), but I can get it for a couple of dollars cheaper in Texas and in plentiful supply. I did get a bottle of their seasonal Breckenridge Bitters and toured their distillery where I was able to talk to their master distiller, Jordan, for about 20 minutes. The bitters are a liqueur with an excellent aroma and taste. I made a Sazerac with it last night using Buffalo Trace Bourbon that was quite good.