The 3rd Leeds Rum Festival will take place on Saturday October 27th at Leeds Corn Exchange from 7 p.m. until late.
It is set to be a hugely entertaining – and educational – night, as brand ambassadors will deliver masterclasses alongside three of Leeds’ best bartenders who will deliver rum. Put this together with music and general merriment and you have the recipe for success for this first time the event has been held in the evening.
Samantha Fish, Operations Manager for famed bar Mojo, is passionate about what she describes as the most diverse spirit in the world.
“The way it’s made varies massively from country to country resulting in many expressions. In 2016 we decided that its history and diversity deserved to be celebrated – it turned out that hundreds of people agreed with us!”
Joining her in person and with equal passion for the spirit are Dan Crowther (Hedonist Project, Brand Ambassador for Maverick Drinks)(feature pictured with Samantha) and Bruce Lerman (Hedonist Project) to celebrate the drink they are passionate about.
“All the rum samples and Masterclasses are free with a ticket,” Samantha continues. “Although we believe there is a rum out there for everyone, we also appreciate that not everyone wants to try and find it, so we have some whiskies, mescals and tequilas to sample too. With this and The Rum Shack Bar selling beer, Prosecco and cocktails, there really is something for everyone.”
Independent Leeds-based retailer Latitude Wine and Spirits will host The Bottle Shop stocking all the brands for ticket holders to purchase and take home.
European Brand Ambassador for Diplomatico Rums, Jon Lister, returns as a host.
“Last year Jon’s ‘Sensory Masterclasses’ were overwhelmingly popular. He’s so knowledgeable and passionate about his subject that his classes can’t help but be fascinating and fun. We’re excited to welcome him back.”
………….and here’s the updated line-up :
Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash with Dr Kate Lister of Whores of Yore: Where there are sailors, there is a sex trade and Port Royal’s harlots were every bit as infamous as her pirates and rum. Women like No-Conscience Nan and Buttock-de-Clink Jenny amassed huge fortunes supplying pirates with sex, rum and scandal. Dr Lister speaks about the history of rum, sex and pirates of Port Royal – once called “the wickedest city in the world”.
Moving Beyond Colour with Peter Holland, respected blogger – and ambassador of all things Rum – Peter looks at what language should be used to describe different Rums.
Gosling family member, Emily Gosling who has travelled from her home in Bermuda to speak about her family’s legacy.
Blend Your Own Spiced Rum: Daniel Crowther, co-founder of Leeds Rum Festival, co-owner of Leeds bar The Hedonist, and Brand Ambassador for Rumbullion shows how to blend Spiced Rum; visitors can take theirs home.
There will be a celebration of plantation rums from across the Caribbean and South America with Paul McFadyan, a talk on blending from Banks Rums Ambassador Alison Bartrop, a distilled history of rum in the Seychelles with Takamaka’s Jody Monteith, and a close look at the unique Jamaican Rums from Appleton.
Supporting the event with reggae, funk, soul and disco is world-renowned DJ Will Graney.
Read what Rosie O’Brien had to tell us about last year’s Festival here
Tickets are on sale now priced at £18 plus booking fee
Advance booking advisable – book online at
https://www.ticketarena.co.uk/events/Leeds-Rum-Festiv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leedsrumfest/
