Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/537687
july 2015 / the tasting panel / 121 Two of the things people most closely associate with author Ernest Hemingway might be his drink of choice, the classic Daiquiri, and his affinity for the sea—Old Man and the Sea ring any high school flashback bells? Combining these two in the form of one very special rum is Papa's Pilar Rum, named in honor of Hemingway's nickname "Papa" and beloved boat, Pilar, on which the avid fisherman caught everything from tuna to Mako sharks, even setting a deep –sea fishing world record in 1938 by catching seven marlin in one day. Today's Papa's Pilar tips its hat to Hemingway's love of the Caribbean by hand-selecting rums from throughout the region with additional molasses spirits from Florida and Central America. Papa's Pilar Dark 24 is pot- and column-distilled, resulting in a smooth spirit that is twice aged in bourbon barrels before moving to port casks, then the rum is blended before being finished in ex-Sherry casks. Papa's Pilar Rum is the first spirit to multi-source and solera age and blend. "I wanted to keep it simple," said Stephen Halpin, Bar Manager at Dallas's Parliament and creator of the Papa's Pilar Old Havana. "That's the key with quality spirits; allow- ing it to truly shine in a cocktail." The Panel Says: "Nose of maple and vanilla. Rich sweet- ness with a creamy texture that lingers well. Definitely a breakfast rum. The cocktail is refreshing with orange zest, vanilla honey and heather notes. Very simple, yet very enjoyable." —Israel Delgado "Vanilla, creamy, smooth; the Sherry notes shine through with subtle hints of dark fruit from the Port. The drink is very nicely balanced with orange and vanilla notes, but the rum shines through. All the components elevate the rum's best qualities." —Melody Bishop A True Classic: Papa's Pilar Rum Stephen Halpin is a Rum Runner for Papa's Pilar Rum. Old Havana ◗ 2 oz. Papa's Pilar 24 Year Old Rum ◗ 1 barspoon Demerara syrup ◗ 3 drops of Woodford Reserve Vanilla Tincture ◗ 3 drops chocolate mole bitters ◗ 1 orange peel