Main Stage & Masterclass Line Up For 2023

Main stage SATURDAY

13.00 – 14.00
Santiago de Cuba Daiquiri Challenge

14.30 – 15.00
Charity Auction – again this year we raise money for those who need it most.

This year it is Anti Slavery International

15.00 – 16.00
Barbados Tourism invites St. Nicholas Abbey to take to the stage with them.

16.15 – 17.00
Carnival Hour – Calle Latino Staged by Calle Hosts ( callehosts@gmail.com)

Main stage SUNDAY

14.00 – 15.00
Rum Étiquette: How to appreciate Rum as a Premium Spirit & The House of Angostura takes you on a global journey of exploring cultures, traditions and modern techniques of how to enjoy your favourite rums.

15.00 – 15.30
Barbados Tourism invites Foursquare Rum to take to the stage with them.

16.00 – 17.00
Carnival Hour – Calle Latino Staged by Calle Hosts (callehosts@gmail.com)

Seminar Room 1 – Ground Floor

SATURDAY:

Sat 14th Oct 2023
12:30 – 13:15

Ian Burrell’s £1500 Rum Tasting.
Unless you’re using £50 notes to light your cigar, you probably haven’t sampled £1500
worth of rum on a Saturday afternoon. Here’s your chance.

Sat 14th Oct 2023
13.45 – 14.30

La Maison & Velier Masterclasses – Hosted by Daniele Biondi
One of the most influential companies within the rum industry, La Maison & Velier are back at the RumFest to showcase amazing rums from Luca Garganos company Velier (Italy) and his partnership in France (Maison du Velier Rums). If you are a rum connoisseur then these private tastings are not to be missed as some of the rums may never be tasted again. Ticket entry only.

Sat 14th Oct 2023

15:00 – 15.45
Rhum Barbancourt: 160 years of Rum Culture and beyond.
Delphine Gardere (Owner and CEO of Rhum Barbancourt)
Vladimir De Delva (Master Distiller and COO of Rhum Barbancourt)
Rhum Barbancourt: 160 years of Rum Culture and beyond.
Established in Haiti in 1862, this legendary spirit set a new standard for
Caribbean rhum production. Now in the fifth generation of leadership, the
company continues to thrive under the direction of Delphine Gardère,
daughter of master producer Thierry Gardere. Delphine will take us through
over 160 years of family history and cultural impact of the brand,
while Barbancourt’s master distiller Vladimir De Delva will present the
brand’s core line of award winning rums and walk us through the process of
creating the one true Haitian rum.

Seminar Room 2– Ground Floor

SATURDAY:
Sat 14th Oct 2023
12:45 – 13:30

Ron Diplomatico –
Welcome to the Heart of Rum:

Join Javier Garcia, the Diplomatico Global Brand Ambassador as you explore the fine rums from both the Tradition and Prestige range. Discover how Diplomático combines its passion for rum-making with an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity, and care.

Sat 14th Oct 2023
14:00 – 14:45

“The world of Vintage agricole rhum with Saint James and J. Bally”
Around the world of vintage rhum, trying some old vintage from St James and also the
presentation of the J. BALLY 100 anniversary – a very fancy blend from 1929 to this day.

Sat 14th Oct 2023
15:15 – 16:00

IWSC – Learn to be a judge –
Taste the gold medal trophy winners with 4 IWSC judges

Hyde Park Suite – ^2nd Floor

Sat 14th Oct 2023
12.30 – 13:15

The art of Caribbean Rum & British Cheese Pairing
Hosted by Christian Esser –
A Connoisseur from the Tropics
Where the warm waves of the Caribbean meet the rich tradition of the British Isles.
Pairing rum with cheese is an experience that redefines the senses. While wine and cheese have long shared the spotlight, rum and cheese stand as an innovative and exotic duo waiting to be explored. The sweet, complex notes of rum juxtapose beautifully with the creamy, savory essence of cheese, creating a gastronomic experience like no other.

Sat 14th Oct 2023
13.45 – 14.30

Gayle Seale – Truth verses perception – The colours of rum
An interesting look at comparing rums side by side to gain a better understanding of what you are drinking and how they are similar and yet so different.

Sat 14th Oct 2023
14:00 – 14:45

“The world of Vintage agricole rhum with Saint James and J. Bally”
Around the world of vintage rhum, trying some old vintage from St James and also the presentation of the J. BALLY 100 anniversary – a very fancy blend from 1929 to this day.

Sat 14th Oct 2023
15:15 – 16:00

IWSC – Learn to be a judge –
Taste the gold medal trophy winners with 4 IWSC judges

Sat 14th Oct 2023
15.00 – 15.45

Rum & Chocolate Pairing
Rum enthusiast and owner of Exotic Tramp, Sian Petter joins us again at Rumfest to host a tasting of her exceptional rum chocolates and will be on stand 52 throughout the event.

Angostura Presents – Ground Floor ( off main reception)

Angostura Presents
Sat 14th Oct 2023
12.30 – 14:00
&
15:00 – 16:30

Join the House of Angostura for an opportunity to shake, stir or swizzle your own cocktail. Choose your favourite Angostura rum, pair it with your choice of Angostura Bitters and select from a host of interesting ingredients. Our team of professional mixologists will guide you through the process as you create your own delicious serve. Will you spin a classic or perfect the punch? Learn some tricks of the trade, make a delicious cocktail, relax and enjoy yourself, the way we like to at the House of Angostura.

Seminar Room 1 – Ground Floor

Sunday:

Sun 15th Oct 2023
12:30 – 13:15

La Maison & Velier Masterclasses – Hosted by Daniele Biondi
One of the most influential companies within the rum industry, La Maison & Velier are back at the RumFest to showcase amazing rums from Luca Garganos company Velier (Italy) and his partnership in France (Maison du Velier Rums). If you are a rum connoisseur then these private tastings are not to be missed as some of the rums may never be tasted again. Ticket entry only.

Sun 15th Oct 2023
14.00 – 14.45

Equiano Rum with Ian Burrell & Dr Richard Drayton

Sun 15th Oct 2023

15:00 – 15.45

Rum vs Whisky with Spirit Expert Stef Holt
After spending nearly a decade working in each of the Rum and Whisky categories, Stef Holt will lead you in a tasting battle between Rum & Whisky. As Rum gets ever more popular, increasing numbers of Whisky drinkers are discovering that Rum can be equally suitable to enjoy during a range of life-moments. But does it work the other way round: will the Rum fans at Rum Fest appreciate the similarities between the two categories, or will the differences prove too divisive?

Seminar Room 2– Ground Floor

SUNDAY:

SUN 15th Oct 2023
15.15 – 14.00

Black Owned Brands
Celebrate Black History month with host, Rum expert Lissete Davis as she introduces 4 black owned rum brands with their founders.

SUN 15th Oct 2023
14.30 – 15.15

A Day in the Life at Jamaica’s Single Estate Rum Producer: Worthy Park Estate
Overview: have you ever wondered what goes on at a rum distillery? Have you ever wondered how a sugar factory makes sugar and molasses? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see sugar cane being harvested? Well wonder no longer and come join Zan Kong as he walks you through what it’s like to live on property at Jamaica’s last remaining Single Estate Producer. Proudly Jamaican Owned and Jamaican Operated, Worthy Park is found in central Jamaica in the parish of St. Catherine. It is nestled 400m above sea level surrounded by the mountains. In this location, the Vale of Lluidas, you’re surrounded by thousands of acres of cane and warmed by the hot sunny days and the cool, breezy nights.

SUN 15th Oct 2023
15:45 – 16.30

Destileria Carupano : Rum pioneers in Venezuela
Destileria Carupano was founded in 1762 in the Macarapana Valley, a couple of kilometers away from the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, on the North east part of the country. Philip Gillier, Ron Carupano’s European Export Director, will take you through the story and evolution of the oldest rum producer in Venezuela, celebrating the recent introduction of the brand within the UK market through the hands of Friarwood Wines & Spirits.

Tasting Suite- 1 st Floor

Sun 16 th Oct 2022
12.30 – 13.15

The art of Caribbean Rum & British Cheese Pairing
Hosted by Christian Esser – A Connoisseur from the Tropics

Where the warm waves of the Caribbean meet the rich tradition of the British Isles.
Pairing rum with cheese is an experience that redefines the senses. While wine and cheese have long shared the spotlight, rum and cheese stand as an innovative and exotic duo waiting to be explored. The sweet, complex notes of rum juxtapose beautifully with the creamy, savory essence of cheese, creating a gastronomic experience like no other.

Sun 15 th Oct 2023
13.45 – 14.30PM

Carsten E. Vlierboom
‘Rum blending for successful & sustainable Rum brands’
Carsten E. Vlierboom is CRO -Chief Rum Officer – of a group of companies comprising of E&A Scheer in Amsterdam, a dedicated and specialist operation blending bulk rum and The Main Rum Company in Liverpool, a company specialized in rare and old rums in cask. He is an experienced master Rum blender, blending Rums for many successful Rum brands and various other applications. He has many years of experience as a Rum Judge and chairman of the Rum panel at ISC, the International Spirits Challenge in London.

Sun 15 th Oct 2023
15.00 – 15.45

Rum & Chocolate Pairing
Rum enthusiast and owner of Exotic Tramp, Sian Petter joins us again at Rumfest to host a tasting of her exceptional rum chocolates and will be on stand 52 throughout the event.

Angostura Presents ( off the main reception)
Sun 15th Oct 2023
12.30 – 14.00
&
15.00 – 16.30

Join the House of Angostura for an opportunity to shake, stir or swizzle your own cocktail. Choose your favourite Angostura rum, pair it with your choice of Angostura Bitters and select from a host of interesting ingredients. Our team of professional mixologists will guide you through the process as you create your own delicious serve. Will you spin a classic or perfect the punch? Learn some tricks of the trade, make a delicious cocktail, relax and enjoy yourself, the way we like to at the House of Angostura.