The First time I met Ron Barcardi

The First time I met Ron Barcardi

It seems so strange how my introduction to Ron Barcardi went down. Not really a dweller of the underworld I did get around the likes of Jim Beam and not yet introduced the likes of Jose Cuervo so pardon me if my introduction seems vague at times. It was a troubling moment in my life where I had difficulties distinguishing the difference between right and wrong and soberness and drunkenness. 

One thought I would like to convey and that was the fact that I was open to trying different things whether inside a bar, honky tonk, or elaborately decorated night clubs. The thoughts were all the same – testing and tasting the liquor handled, sold and served at these joint.

I always thought that rum was a drink for the intellectually snobs in society. Much like the other liquors that have names I can’t remember or pronounce. Obviously since I felt inferior to try and taste such superiority drinks I refrained from ordering them. That is until I met Ron Barcardi, a master blender of rums. 

I was looking to break up the stereotypes of liquors. I was searching for a drink that met my own expectations and personality and right up front I must confess, Barcardi rum took me away from the beer and other alcohol delights and put me on the road to addiction.

I could never be able to afford to score a bottle. Hell the best I could do was shot or two until my wealth improved or my desperation got worse. Either way, I was looking for a liquid that would solve all my problems and Barcardi gave me the wow sensation and flavor I was looking for. 

So in the glass I sipped the flavor. In the glass I watched the bartender pour the golden liquid into the container that would bless my lips and swirl around my tongue. The taste was most pleasant and the aroma was gentle so it all worked good to calm my mind. Taking the glass to my lips was most inviting. I did it more often than I should have but temptation was with me the night I met Ron Barcardi. 

I swirled it, I sniffed it, and I touched it before the swallow. Not wanting to contaminate it with the crudeness of a beer, I drank it solo and kept all other contaminants away from it while it was there in front of me. I was in heaven.

This is not rum tasting like honey. This is not rum that tasted like apricot brandy or wine. This was a man’s drink filled with a delicate sweetness that tempted the lips, the tongue and the mouth with ever so more. It slide down my throat so ever lightly with a slight burn a little stronger than I expected. I believe I was becoming crazy for the flavor as I tested it over and over. 

The aftertaste is remarkable and addictive in nature and warming up to it I could enjoy a few more or so. It gained strength with me as I chose it over others whenever I went to go visit a bar or two. It must have seduced me away from the whiskey and beer as it was the rum I kept near. 

This was no discounted flavor. It was not the cheapest around. I was glad I found the rum selection as it opened up a whole new world for me as I thank Barcardi for the try. There is no Captain Morgan, there are no more red or white wines. The beer is for outdoor picnics but the rum was for going in style.