Business
Drew’s Spicing Things Up
The finalists were selected based on their initial online recipes to create a spiced rum recipe.
The island’s very own Drew Fleming has reached the UK final of a worldwide rum competition.
Yes we know the island isn’t in the UK, we didn’t name it, stop emailing in.
The Chairman’s Spice Lab challenges bartenders to draw inspiration from their own cultures in the spirit of its Caribbean heritage.
The finalists were selected based on their initial online recipes to create a spiced rum recipe of their own.
Drew’s blend included lemon verbena extract, honey, Alexander seed and wood avens to create Island Blend Suffering Bastard.
He said: ‘It’s a celebration of three islands, combining the tradition of St Lucia and their spiced rum heritage, Barbados falernum and recreating the flavours using Manx botanicals.’
For the next round, the finalists will receive a spit kit including four pre-set spices (nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and dried orange peels) and a bottle of Chairman’s Reserve Original Rum. They will then be able to add up to four additional spices from their submission and submit their receipt for judging.
On reaching the final 10, Drew said: ‘I like the brand, they do some really cool stuff and they’re also from an island. I just want to keep being an ambassador for the island’s hospitality sector and to keep improving.’
If Drew was to win the worldwide competition, he will go on to Saint Lucia to create his rum blend for international release.
Drew has previously conquered the cocktail world after he beat more than 700 applicants in the 50 Best Bars ‘Blend Scholarship’ comp and has gone on to well and truly fly the Manx flag on the international bar scene.
