Rum was born in Barbados, not Cuba
As a former high commissioner for Barbados to the United Kingdom, I need to address the assertion in your article that 'rum as we know it was invented in Cuba in 1862' (Over a barrel: lack of sugar throws Cuba's rum industry into crisis, 30 May). There are many things I commend Cuba for: its public health system and medical technologies, a strong sports culture, cigars and an overall resilience and innovativeness, as exemplified in the vintage American cars that cruise the streets of Havana.
However, while Cuba, along with Barbados, Guatemala, Guyana and Haiti are the few countries where I imbibe 'Nelson's blood' due to a discerning palate, Barbados singularly deserves credit as the birthplace of rum. This tiny, most-easterly island in the Caribbean is the home of rum, made from molasses, the sweet, tar-like byproduct of sugar cane production, which was initially considered waste. A document from 1651 identifies 'rumbullion' as a pre-eminently Bajan product. Mount Gay rum, established in 1703 by Sir John Gay Alleyne, is the world's oldest continuously operating rum distillery.
It is noteworthy that the smooth, velvety texture for which good rum is renowned is part of an evolutionary process. Before double distillation became standard, it had a harsh taste and carried the name 'Kill-devil' as its high alcohol content was considered devilish, able to easily overwhelm the drinker. That remains a possibility for the unwise or unsuspecting.
As well as being the home of the oldest rum, Barbados also produces some of the best. The International Wine and Spirit Competition honoured the Barbados-brand RL Seale Distilling's Foursquare 14-year-old Equipoise rum with the 2024 rum trophy, recognising it as the world's finest rum. Guy HewittBrixton, London
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The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Rum was born in Barbados, not Cuba
As a former high commissioner for Barbados to the United Kingdom, I need to address the assertion in your article that 'rum as we know it was invented in Cuba in 1862' (Over a barrel: lack of sugar throws Cuba's rum industry into crisis, 30 May). There are many things I commend Cuba for: its public health system and medical technologies, a strong sports culture, cigars and an overall resilience and innovativeness, as exemplified in the vintage American cars that cruise the streets of Havana. However, while Cuba, along with Barbados, Guatemala, Guyana and Haiti are the few countries where I imbibe 'Nelson's blood' due to a discerning palate, Barbados singularly deserves credit as the birthplace of rum. This tiny, most-easterly island in the Caribbean is the home of rum, made from molasses, the sweet, tar-like byproduct of sugar cane production, which was initially considered waste. A document from 1651 identifies 'rumbullion' as a pre-eminently Bajan product. Mount Gay rum, established in 1703 by Sir John Gay Alleyne, is the world's oldest continuously operating rum distillery. It is noteworthy that the smooth, velvety texture for which good rum is renowned is part of an evolutionary process. Before double distillation became standard, it had a harsh taste and carried the name 'Kill-devil' as its high alcohol content was considered devilish, able to easily overwhelm the drinker. That remains a possibility for the unwise or unsuspecting. As well as being the home of the oldest rum, Barbados also produces some of the best. The International Wine and Spirit Competition honoured the Barbados-brand RL Seale Distilling's Foursquare 14-year-old Equipoise rum with the 2024 rum trophy, recognising it as the world's finest rum. Guy HewittBrixton, London Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Jay-Z accused of 'creepy' act with Rihanna in resurfaced footage following death of her father
Following the death of Rihanna's father Ronald Fenty at 70 on Saturday, Jay-Z is feeling the heat over his conduct during one of the most important moments of her career. Rihanna won her first Grammy in Los Angeles on February 10, 2008, and she mentioned her father first in her acceptance speech, saying, 'Dad? I know I promised you I'm gonna give you my first Grammy, but we might have to fight for this one!' But it seemed to rub Jay-Z, now 55, the wrong way that Rihanna, now, 37, didn't acknowledge his massive contributions to her surging stardom, as her first Grammy win was for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for their hit collaboration Umbrella, which launched her career into the stratosphere. The famed rapper–producer interrupted her speech, saying, 'She said she wanted to thank everybody for her first Grammy,' leading her to immediately thank him 'for being a part of this record with' her. He interrupted her flow again — and referred to himself by a nickname in the third person — saying, 'She'd like to thank Jigga Man for being the greatest in the world' has reached out to reps for Rihanna and Jay-Z for further comment on the backlash to the 2008 incident. After she thanked her father, Jay-Z interrupted her to say she was thanking him for their hit collaboration Umbrella. Rihanna handled the situation with grace, extending her arm so she could stay on task and complete the acceptance speech without further awkwardness The Barbados-born songstress handled the situation with grace, extending her arm at one point so she could stay on task and complete the acceptance speech without further awkwardness to spoil a moment marking a significant career milestone. But more than 17 years later, fans were far more critical of Jay-Z for what many said was a one-stop shop of arrogance, entitlement and toxic masculinity on display in how he spoke to his talented young protégé in front of an international audience. A post on Facebook titled 'Jay-Z humiliates Rihanna as she thanks her father' had more than 37,000 likes and nearly 2,000 comments as of Tuesday evening. 'What control do they have on these singers?' one user asked. Another said of the Empire State Of Mind artist: 'He makes my skin crawl.' Commenters also complained about the Big Pimpin' artist's behavior in a YouTube clip uploaded by the Recording Academy during a December 2020 fundraiser. 'Whos here after death of rihannas dad,' one user asked while another said, 'Arrogance is not Confidence.' Even before Ronald Fenty's death, people said Jay-Z was too full of himself in the exchange and should have ceded the limelight to Rihanna. 'The way he interrupted her while she acknowledged her dad yet bigs himself up when she acknowledged Him says alot,' said one commenter. Another added: 'He was so rude and undermined her with his attitude. Imagine how he treats her and others behind closed doors.' One person said of Jay-Z: 'You can see how He really is right here !!!' Also noteworthy is that one of the presenters was another surging star, Taylor Swift, who was seen in the background as Rihanna and Jay-Z accepted their award. Swift's body language appeared to suggest she was uncomfortable with Jay-Z's massive ego on display. She even seemed to cheer Rihanna when she kept the 99 Problems rapper at a literal arm's length. Ironically, Swift would be involved in a far more awkward award-show moment just a year later. As she attempted to give her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, she was rudely interrupted by one of Jay-Z's longtime associates, Kanye West, in what became an infamous moment and cemented Taylor and Kanye's years-long feud. Ironically, Swift would be involved in a far more awkward award-show moment just a year later when Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards; Kanye and Taylor pictured September 13, 2009, in NYC In the infamous exchange on September 13, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, West interrupted Swift during her victory speech for the Best Female Video award for You Belong With Me. Swift's winning video which had been nominated against Single Ladies, the enduring hit from Jay-Z's wife, Beyoncé, which included a phenomenal dance number in the video. West got on the stage and yanked the microphone away from Swift, telling her, 'Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'mma let you finish. But Beyonce had one of the best videos of all-time! One of the best videos of all-time!' In retrospect, one YouTube user said of Jay-Z's conduct at the 2008 Grammys: 'He is Having a Kanye West Moment.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Cuban families devise ingenious solutions to endure frequent power shortages
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