NOLADrinks Show – 6-3-19 – Rum with Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Ben Mélin-Jones of Spiribam

On this edition of The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we’re talking rum! We’re joined by Tiki historian, author, and restauranteur, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Spiribam managing director, Benjamin Mélin-Jones, producers of Rhum Clement, Rhum JM, and others.

Pictured above from left – Jeff “Beachbum” Berry of Latitude 29, Ben Mélin-Jones of Spiribam, and Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show.

NOLADrinks Show – 6-3-19 – Rum with Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Ben Mélin-Jones of Spiribam

We start things off noting the passing of the legendary Leah Chase. We also let you know about how, moving forward, the podcast will be available on the day the show airs on radio, complete with our podcast-only segment, “Another Shot with NOLADrinks.” This will allow you to get the full version of the show a day or two earlier than it had been available before and hear it before anyone else!

Then, we’re over at Latitude 29, the fantastic Tiki bar and restaurant operated by the couple, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Annene Von Durchgerockt. Jeff joins us as does Ben Mélin-Jones of Spiribam. Spiribam produces numerous Caribbean rums (or rhums!), Rhum Clément, Rhum JM, Bounty Rum, Chairman’s Reserve Rum, and others.

We discuss this broad and varied spirits category. Our conversation includes different styles and production methods, molasses-based rum versus rhum agricole, the influence of terroir, and more. We also talk about traditional and geographic styles and how they vary (and how they’ve developed, too.)

Of course, we share some thoughts on the role various rums play in Tiki cocktails, too. We sample a couple of Ben’s expressions (agricole and molasses-based) and compare and contrast them. We have conversation on how certain rums produced in French departments are controlled, are products of appellation, and just what that means. Additionally, we cover concepts of ageing and ideas on how best to explore the wide variety of rums out there.

Pictured above – Tasting various Spiribam rum expressions at Latitude 29.

In our podcast-only portion of the show, “Another Shot with NOLADrinks,” we get further into various topics. We speak more about origin, production methodology, and how cachaça and some arracks fit into the broader world of spirits made from sugar cane.

We close things out with our “Parting Shot” where we share some thoughts on the iconic Leah Chase, who passed this last weekend.

The map below shows the location of Latitude 29 and Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. You can subscribe to, stream, and download The NOLADrinks Show podcast using the links and player at the top of the post.

Cheers, You All!

~ Bryan