The 12th German Rum Festival – thrilling time with great rum

Germany is one of the European rum hubs, so it’s no surprise that Berlin hosts one of the biggest rum festivals – The German Rum Festival. Last weekend I attended the 12th edition of the festival (it my first time at such an event). What can I say? Well, I spent every minute in the Station Berlin pavilion entertaining myself with tastings, masterclasses, and discussions. 

Rum festival – an overview

Having a festival ticket, you can visit almost 100 stands of various rum brands, importers, and bottlers. Rum festival is a unique opportunity to taste the newest rum releases and try some old and rare ones. You can stroll between stalls with a glass of tasty rum and chat with other rum enthusiasts and experts. It is a perfect event to get first-hand information and broaden your rum horizons. 

The festival, held on July 8–9, featured a two-day ticket for 30 EUR and a VIP ticket for 95 EUR. Mini-tasting sessions and masterclasses were available at 7 EUR each (excluding VIP ticket holders who already had access to a VIP tasting).

German Rum Festival events

In addition to the opportunity to just walk among the stands, there was a series of mini-tastings and masterclasses. I attended five:

VIP tasting

The VIP ticket was a spectacular waste of money. It was 65 EUR more expensive than the regular ticket. Its only exclusive feature was access to the tasting session. However, to my dismay, the entire session was in German, leaving me unable to understand anything. Furthermore, the selection of rums presented during the tasting was underwhelming, particularly when considering the steep price of the VIP ticket.

Rums Of New Frontiers from LMDW (La Maison Du Whisky)

It was a noteworthy tasting of rums from either new or little-known distilleries. It showcased rums from distilleries such as Isautier from Reunion, Amrut from India, and Mhoba from South Africa. The tasting concluded with Rum Arrangée, fruits macerated in rum. The lineup presented a refreshing change, as I had never tried such rums before.

The evolution of different styles in rum

It was a lecture (without tasting) by Matt Pietrek, a renowned rum author and blogger. He provided a condensed overview of the history of rum, its origins, and its evolution. While the lecture was enjoyable to listen to, it didn’t offer any new information for me.

Masterclass Colors Of Rum 

The CoR (Colors of Rum) series has never failed to impress me, and their masterclass at the festival was no exception. While their products are typically associated with steep price tags, the 7 EUR investment for this masterclass proved to be the best value of the entire event. The lineup featured a selection of six rums from various Caribbean distilleries, each offering its distinct character. It is fair to say that each glass presented during the masterclass was outstanding.

Rum vs. Whisky

The Rum vs. Whisky class was a big disappointment. It was entirely in German, so it provided no educational value for non-German speakers like myself. Moreover, the lineup of rums and whiskies was underwhelming, featuring basic options and mainstream choices. Overall, this aspect of the rum festival failed to deliver the informative and comparative experience I had anticipated, leaving me dissatisfied.

Best of rums 

Among the multitude of captivating rums at the festival, three particularly stood out to me as the most intriguing:

• RDL TECC Long Pond: Among the tigers and wolves of the Rom De Luxe “Wild series”, the seemingly harmless marabou takes the spotlight. This extremely-high-ester TECC was bottled at a stunning 85.3 % after only a two-month aging period in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Surprisingly, this combination of extremes results in a delicious and remarkably drinkable rum.

• Mhoba LMDW Antipodes: This festival introduced me to Mhoba rum, which skillfully combines the funkiness of Jamaican rum with the grassy notes of Agricole. Its distinct style creates a category of its own, offering a truly unique tasting experience.

• Bristol Classic Caroni 1974: This rum was a delightful surprise, as I never expected to have the opportunity to try it. Although slightly diluted, it showcased complexity, fruity flavors, a subtle dusty character, and hints of industrial notes and raw molasses. I found this style of Caroni more appealing than the excessively “dirty” rums from the late ’90s.

Other highlights

While there were many great events and stands, a few stood out as particularly noteworthy:

• Colors of Rum tasting and stand: Fantastic rums that demonstrated a balance often lacking in many of the current extreme-oriented bottlings.

• Takamaka stand: It appeared to me as an innovative modern distillery. Despite limited time for aging rums, they adopted a unique method of accelerating wood extraction by shredding the barrels and soaking them with rum. The texture was still a bit harsh, but they came up with a great solution – they designed their rum to be drunk with a cube of ice – a fantastic combination.

• Diplomatico Ambassador: As someone who began their rum journey with Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, I remember dreaming of the Diplomatico Ambassador. While I am now grateful that I didn’t purchase a bottle, the opportunity to sample it was too enticing to miss. Although it stands apart from the Diplomatico family, the Ambassador’s expression lacked the depth and complexity I had hoped for.

Other lowlights

While the rum festival had many highlights, there were a few notable disappointments:

• VIP Ticket: The VIP ticket experience fell short of expectations. Despite the premium price, there were no real VIP perks or freebies. Instead, VIP ticket holders had access to a masterclass, which turned out mediocre. The overall value for the high cost of the ticket was underwhelming

• Language barrier: The language became a significant obstacle in enjoying some sessions. The fact that they were conducted solely in German made them difficult for non-German speakers to understand and fully engage.

• Overlaps: There were many mini-tastings and masterclasses in two days and some overlapped. I really regret not being able to participate in both Matt Pietrek’s lecture and Velier’s masterclass.

German Rum Festival – was it worth it?

Attending the 12th German Rum Festival gave me a fresh perspective on my favorite spirit. It was a platform to connect with fellow rum enthusiasts and to sample various exceptional rums. Despite initial concerns about pricing, I was pleasantly surprised that the costs associated with tastings, samples, and full bottles were either bargains or reasonably priced. The GRF has ignited a passion within me to seek out and participate in other rum festivals in the future.