Stop Massive Rum Subsidies in the USVI and Puerto Rico

This is the main discussion section. Grab yer cups! All hands on deck!

Do you support or reject subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico?

I completely reject them.
2
18%
I will join in the fight to reverse them.
1
9%
I will boycott Barcardi and Captain Morgan.
2
18%
I reject them , I will fight them, and I will boycott.
6
55%
 
Total votes: 11

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Capn Jimbo
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Stop Massive Rum Subsidies in the USVI and Puerto Rico

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Stop Massive Rum Subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico


By now regular readers are aware of these are aware of both massive rum taxes and also massive rum subsidies that managed to sneak into - are you sitting down? - the recent Fiscal Cliff bill passed just a few days ago on January 1st. Happy fucking New Year!

So who gets the massive subsidies? The USVI (U.S. Virgin Islands) and Puerto Rico, who in turn pass hundreds of millions of benefits to who? Yup, Diageo (Captain Morgan), Fortune Brands (Cruzan) and Bacardi. In the case of Diageo the benefits include a free distillery and are reported to be double the cost of making the rum. Cruzan gets to buy molasses at 16 cents/gallon instead of the $2.00/gallon everyone else has to pay.

If these few huge companies got the gold mine, then who got the shaft?

In addition to the shafted American public whose revenues are redirected back to these two islands, who are the other big losers? Answer: everybody else. CARICOM who represents 26 Caribbean countries that include every single one of your favorite distilleries is furious, as these subsidies not only tilt the playing field against them, these subsidies actually threaten the continued existence of the finest Caribbean rums.

Worse hit and most at risk are distilleries in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana. If this sounds like the heart, soul and history of rum as we know it... it is! Thus CARICOM is now on a war footing and has lawyered up. They are convinced that these subsidies are in blatant violation of the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules.

The DR and Barbados are particularly incensed and reportedly are ready to file. Our butt kissing U.S. Trade Representative is expected to play a predictable game of denial and delay in the hopes that their dastardly deed will become too well entrenched to be reversed.

If this is correct my friends, we - and our favored fine Caribbean rums - are to put it bluntly, fucked. That is unacceptatble. Unlike the Shillery and other commercial or faux commericial sites who have been dead silent for months, and who still are avoiding the issue, this website remains completely free of commercial influence.

Thus we can and will speak out and we will not stop until this travesty is completely reversed. This post will become a sticky for your constant reference and developing news on the battle we face, and which we can win...

Stay tuned...


*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:20 am, edited 7 times in total.
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Boycott the massive rum subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Ric

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Step Number One: Sign the Petition


Step One: Sign the petition to stop the massive subsidies (here). This is a legally valid petition that as it grows, will be repeatedly submitted to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Trade Representative, the EU, the WTO and last to CARICOM in a show of support.
Special Note: at this time do nothing more. Next up: a brief review of the issues as seen by CARICOM for your reading pleasure (Step Two), and followed by a sample post with links that will inspired you for Step Three.
Kindly await these steps, to be posted later today...


Cordially,
CJ and with the thanks of all our Caribbean friends...

*******
Capn's Log: Who will be the first readers to sign the petition? Sue Sea and I have decided to sign later, as we wish to give that honor to our valued members...

Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:56 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Stop the Massive Rum Subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Step Two: Understanding the Problem


For those who wish to understand the background in more detail, here it is. Please feel free to skip forward to Step Three, next post. The first factor is the massive subsidies provided to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that were heavily lobbied by, and directly and indirectly benefit giants Bacardi, Diageo, Capntain Morgan and Cruzan.

These subsidies amount to literally billions of dollars. In one case Diageo was rewarded to such an extent that the costs of their huge distillery were completely reimbursed! The bottom line is that these already profitable mega-corporations can produce rum at well below the cost of their Caribbean competitors.

It gets worse.

In the recent "fiscal cliff" legislation rushed through Congress on January 1st, these same big companies can be assumed to have lobbied the inclusion of yet another gift to them. According to the New York Times:
NYT: "Tuesday’s agreement to avert across-the-board tax hikes included a number of add-ons, including a provision extending a 1917 law that imposes a $13.50 tax on each gallon of rum produced in or imported into the United States. The revenue from the tax helps support the rum industries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands."
This means that in addition to the massive subsidies favoring Bacardi and Diageo in the USVI and Puerto Rico , their Caribbean competitors must pay an additional $13.50 per gallon of rum. The combination puts all of the rest of Caribbean distillers at serious risk. How serious?


The combination threatens their very existence...

CARICOM is an organization of 26 Caribbean states including every one of our beloved Caribbean rums. Through their united voice - CARIFORUM - the group has expressed serious concern:
Sir Ronald Sanders
Friday 2 November 2012

"Bacardi and Captain Morgan - subsidies will help them crowd-out other Caribbean rums from the US market"

Caricom countries continue to have serious concerns about the threat to the competitiveness of Caribbean rum in the United States market resulting from the massive subsidies provided by the governments of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico to multinational rum producers in those territories”.

CARIFORUM countries stand to lose US$700 million in foreign exchange annually, the jobs of 15,000 workers directly employed in the rum industry, and another 60,000 jobs that benefit from it. Governments will lose over US$250 million in annual tax revenues.

"Earnings and employment generated by the rum industry in 14 CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic (collectively CARIFORUM) are under siege and the entire industry could be severely diminished in a few years unless the governments of these countries take swift action."
Although all Caribbean distillers outside of the USVI and Puerto Rico will be affected, the hardest hit - and threatened -are the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana. These alone represent the heart, soul and history of rum as we know it. The results of this horrible situation are these:

1. The big boys on the USVI and Puerto Rico will dominate rum sales. This is already happening. At a large retailer here out of 180 feet of display (five shelves) Bacardi, Captain Morgan, and Cruzan (plus bulk from from the same region) control 90% of the space, and 100% of the prime, eye-level shelf space.

2. Fine and once competitive rums from the rest of the Caribbean will be squeezed, or even destroyed. We will see fewer rums, and at much higher prices. Already we are aware of diminishing choices of fine sipping rums, which have been forced completely off of prime shelf space to a few feet of high, hard-to-see and reach space.

3. Rum is a very important industry on these islands. Not only do these changes threaten the very existence of smaller distillers, but they mayl severely damage their economies.

4. The few mega-conglomerates who benefit are already quite profitable and hardly need these subsidies and import advantages, short of simple greed and lust for unbridled profit.

CARICOM is not taking this sitting down. They believe that this legislation and advantages are in clear violation of at least three WTO rules, and they have lawyered up. They are fighting for their very existence insofar as producing their fine rums.

For more detail click here and here.


We can and must help our Caribbean friends

At The Rum Project we love the wide variety of fine Caribbean rums. We love and respect the history and tradition of rum, from its beginnings in Barbados, and wending its way throughout the region to Jamaica, Guyana Haiti, and Cuba, not to mention the rest of the islands and countries we call Caribbean.

These are good and honest people producing a traditional and beloved product developed over several hundred years. That Diageo, Bacardi, Captain Morgan and Cruzan can literally damage and/or destroy these realtively small but valued competitors is despicable.

All they want is a level playing field. They are our valued friends and their wonderful offerings occupy our homes and are enjoyed by people everywhere. They are now being attacked by four huge companies, their lobbyists and a few key Congressmen that they have been able to influence.

It is a tragedy that is happening now. All lovers of real Caribbean rum must join their fight and do anything we can to support them and to reverse this madness.


*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:17 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Stop Massive Rum Subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Step Three: Post, post, post!


If you are reading these words you are a lover of Caribbean rum, which is under attack. What can you do - indeed - what must you do?

First, if you have not already, refer to Step One above and sign the petition here). An effective petition must be valid and verifiable, and this one is a formal petition, as you will see. Please note that it is possible to do so anonymously and to add personal comments. Sign it.

Next, and this is Step Three: Spread the Word! The world of rum is really pretty small, at least insofar as the number of rum websites. It only takes a relatively small number of posts and posters to establish a critical mass of change.

An example: for quite some years "rum" was dominated by single commercial, "...it's all good" website. Criticism was almost unknown and Zacapa 23 was accepted as "The World's Best Rum". and sold for nearly $50. I was among the very first to criticize Z-23 and to be fair the early reaction was one of disbelief, denial and outright insults. Within months however, these posts encouraged many others (who felt the same way but feared the response) to come out of the closet and also speak out. The same occured with Angostura 1919, Diplomatico Reserva and a few others.

In the present case however, there should be no conflict. We all wish to preserve and promote the greatest possible selection of fine Caribbean rums, and available freely at fair prices. I am sure that all of us - from all websites - stand against domination by three greedy large corporations.


What should you say?


1. Briefly state the problem
2. Promote and link the petition
3. Encourage all to post all over the net
4. Forward to your mailing list, Facebook, etc.
5. Set a goal to make at least one post every day

Spread the word! Support our good Caribbean friends! Do it now!


*******
Capn's Log: Our fine Caribbean distillers and friends need you and thank you. Together we can and will make a difference. Last, this is now an open thread - please post your thinking, your accomplishments, and your ideas.

Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
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This is now an open thread...

Post by Capn Jimbo »

This is now an open thread...


The following was posted over at Chowhound...

"Moi:
"Caribbean Rum Under Attack


"On January 1st, our dear Congress passed legislation avoiding the "fiscal cliff". But one "add-on" to the bill gives a huge gift to two mega-distilling conglomerates - Bacardi and Diageo - in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico."

"The effects of this are immediate and threaten the continued existence and availbility of Caribbean rum! Here's how:

1. The USVI and Puerto Rico receive nearly a billion dollars in subsidies, much of which is simply passed along to the mega-distillers.

2. The US also gave Diageo $2.7 Billion - yes billions - to move and build a huge distillery in the USVI

3. The new fiscal cliff law also imposes a huge penalty - $13.50 per gallon - for all other Caribbean rum.

Friends, this is a huge crisis. CARICOM - which represents the rest of the Caribbean countries and distillers - are furious, as this self-dealing move threatens their continued existence as rum producers, and a devastating blow to their economies, which are largely rum based.

Especially affected are the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana who are highly dependent on the now protected US Market. They face failure and going out of business. Accordingly, the CARIFORUM is now lawyering up and plan to challenge this insult, dirty dealling and what they cite as a direct and clear violation of the WTO regulations on free trade.

They are right. All rum lovers who hope to continue to enjoy a wide diversity of rum from all over the Caribbean must band together and protest this horrible giveaway to the already hugely profitable mega-companies, and who seem to operating from nothing beyond greed and profit, even if it destroys their smaller but honest competition.

There is a a petition against these unfair subsidies and taxes:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html

Personally, I am appalled at what has happened, especially in the dark of night and slipped into the fiscal cliff bill. To favor a very few - two politically powerful conglomerates - to seriously harm the many serves no one. I sincerely hope this action can be reversed as the idea that we may lose access to our favorite Caribbean rums is simply unthinkable."

*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by jankdc »

Ok, so I've been doing my reading on this and my understanding is that all rum produced in and out of the United States is taxed at 13.50/gallon. See Here. All of this money is then sent to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands based on the amount of rum that they produce. Some of those funds are then given back to rum industry in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Historically, Puerto Rico was putting 10% of these funds back into the rum industry. The move by Diego to the USVI, means the distiller gets basically half of the revenue. See more here.

What I get from this is that the tax is not new, it is for all rum made inside of and outside of the United States, and that the money was originally raised to help the economies of USVI and PR. My problem with it is that Diego is getting more money than it takes to produce the rum.


*******
Capn's Log: Keeping in mind the laws and regulations are quite voluminous, and while true in part, this summary does not go justice to the full extent of the benefits to Diageo, Bacardi and Cruzan - many of which are not addressed here, but which amount to literal billions in advantages. One tiny example: these arrangements allow one distller to buy molasses at 16 cents/gallon, whereas otherwise it would have cost $2.00/per gallon or at 1/12 of the market price.

And that is but one example. When CARICOM states this threatens their ability to continue to produce and sell rum they are not lying. This is an extreme situation.



*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Rum Reviews Rankings and Cheat Sheet
References: MGXO, R Mat. GR, Scar Ibis, Apple 12, Barb 5, Pusser's, Wray and Neph, ED 15, 10Cn, West Plant, R Barc Imp.
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Post by jankdc »

So I think that the tax is 13.50 per proof gallon.
A proof gallon is a gallon of liquid that is 100 proof, or 50% alcohol. The tax is adjusted, depending on the percentage of alcohol of the product.
So it comes to $2.14 for a bottle of 750 ml spirits at 40 proof.

And I believe that the proof/gallon tax is for all liquor, not just rum.

The big thing is that the rum tax takes all of the money from the spirit tax that is raised for rum and sends it to PR and USVI.


*******
Capn's Log: Great links thanks. In reading them I noted that the advantages given to the USVI and Puerto Rico are so great that the megadistillers feel drawn to also produce other spirits there including blended whisky, gin, et al.

Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Rum Reviews Rankings and Cheat Sheet
References: MGXO, R Mat. GR, Scar Ibis, Apple 12, Barb 5, Pusser's, Wray and Neph, ED 15, 10Cn, West Plant, R Barc Imp.
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Follow the money...

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Follow the money...


One of the points of denial that has come up elsewhere (Shillery, Chowhound) is a focus on simply the length of time the taxation on rum imports has been in place.

They state correctly that the law has been in place since 1917, and the recent re-inclusion of the tax in the "fiscal cliff" bill is well, no big deal, and therefore, so what! Is that fair? Of course not, because the problem is so much bigger than that. Unfortunately, publishing Sir Ronald Sanders' competent and compelling analysis uses multiple syllablic words and - gulp - even paragraphs of data and monkey-proof explanations, so their 1917 claim is indeed wrong, but difficult to counter simply.

Another easier counter is needed.


Follow the Money!

1. Although the law has been in place since 1917, the financial gift to the USVI and Puerto Rico - and largely passed through to Diageo, Barcardi and Cruzan - has been increasing exponentially in the last ten years, and particularly lately.

The reason is simple: as these mega-conglomerates continue to build massive momentum and in some cases free facilities there, the amount of rum produced is skyrocketing. More rum = more taxes = more taxes returned into the pockets of these three huge disillters.

Total just last year: $547,000,000 (over half a billion dollars).
Total since 1994: $6,129,000,000 ($6.2 Billion)
Total returned to Caribbean distillers: Zero.

2. That's bad enough. Let's now consider special gifts, subsidies and other advantages given by or in the USVI or Puerto Rico:

Diageo (Captain Morgan): $2,700,000,000 from the USVI ($2.7 Billion)
Fortune (Cruzan): $150,000,000 ($150 Million) for distillery improvement. Also received a free wastewater treatment plant and the right to buy molasses for just 16 cents/gallon, less than 1/12th of the market cost of $2.00 per gallon.

Total "Special" Benefits: $2,800,000,000 ($2.8 Billion)
Total all benefits since 1994: $8,929,000,000 (at least $9 Billion, if you include free waste treatment and 16 cent molasses).
Total to Caribbean Rums: Zero

3. Getting interesting yet? We left out changes with the EU. Some denialists have tried to present that CARICOM wasn't complaining when they were receiving EU funds, but are complaining now over the USVI/Puerto Rican benefits (as if these just started). The truth is very different. Unlike the USVI and Puerto Rico, the EU benefits were really rather small, temporary and time limited. The intent was to give the Caribbean producers a fair time to adjust and become competitive.

These were NOT permanent OR massive, but temporary and small. The sum total of transitional help was a pittance - just $90 million to which the affected Caribbean producers contributed - listen up Diageo - contributed another $84 million of their own money! The four year transition began in 2003 and ended years ago in 2007. Now although true that these small Caribbean producers did sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU - which did provide limited rum tariff advantages, even these advantages - tiny in comparison with the truly massive, multi-billion dollar support of Diageo and friends - were destroyed.

Destroyed? Yup, and also by the EU which has issued FTA's (Free Trade Agreements) with much larger producers from Brazil and other Mercosur countries as well as Colombia, and Peru.

Who will suffer: ALL the Caribbean producers (except Columbia), but especially the producers who make up the heart, soul and history of rum:
Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas are all especially hard hit:

Total losses to key Caribbean distillers: $190,000,000 ($190 Million Dollars) just this last year.


The Grand Total:


Benefits to Diageo, Bacardi & Cruzan: net gain of $9,000,000,000 ($9 Billion Dollars)
Benefits to Caribbean distilllers: $90,000,000 (temporary EU) less ($190,000,000), or a net loss of at least ($100,000,000), $100 million dollars.

For Diageo and friends that's at least a GAIN of $9 Billion dollars. For the Carribean over the same period, it's at the least a LOSS of $100 million dollars.


What's at stake?

Simply, survival. The denialists can argue parsed pieces of history, but the truth is that our beloved Caribbean rums are in danger of failing. According to Sir Ronald (Sanders):
"Worryingly, the report points out that the poverty rate in CARIFORUM countries is about 19%, (about 5 million people) and if the rum market in CARIFORUM collapsed, “the drop in GDP per capita deriving from direct effects would increase the number of poor people by 40,000”.
Needless to say, rum making is a historically very important part of Caribbean life, families and economic activity. They are suffering and the big boyz and their lobbyists are just pouring fuel on this economic fire.

Even smaller American distillers are worried. Listen to what Phil Prichard has to say about Cruzan in the USVI:
"If our own federal government is also letting its taxes subsidize foreign corporations and offshore producers, it makes it harder to survive,” said Philip E. Prichard, whose independent distillery in Tennessee makes rum and bourbon. “It flies in the face of entrepreneurship.”


Bottom Line:

1. This should provide plenty of great material to fight back against the denialists and the commercial commentators who dare not offend the table-buying, product providing giants.

2. Fight back and always, always link the petition in your post:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html

3. Use Facebook and Twitter, as well as your own mailing lists as you can.

Friends and lovers of rum, it takes less than you think to succeed. That a few condescending denialists have posted is normal and expected. By fighting back and overwhelming them with the pesky and awful facts, it will not be long before many other posters and supporters will appear. This has already happened at a new thread at the Shillery.

Surprisingly we achieved 13 signers the first day in fight that will probably take a few months. I was especially surprised by signers from around the world and that I know two of them to be rum site webmasters.

Keep the faith and keep up the fight! Our Caribbean friends and extended families depend on us...


*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Rum Victoria

Post by Capn Jimbo »

A post at Rum Victoria...


The following was posted by moi at Rum Victoria. This gentleman has posted my comments before, so it will be interesting to see if this one will be:
Moi: "Top Ten lists can be such fun, and this one is no exception. I would not be a honest broker if we did not comment on your very interesting selections. BTW, this post ends with a plea to help save these fine Caribbean rums, which are currently under attack…”

#1 Bacardi 8 Year – an interesting choice. Bacardi has become the whipping boy for most rum sites as little more than a mass produced Walmart of party hearty rum. As you have discovered the 8 year is quite a good and classic Cuban style rum. Not great mind you, but an economical example of the Cuban Style. We recently conducted a Bacardi Smackdown of the Gold, Anejo, Select and 8 Year (the Solera cannot be found). Even the Gold sips very well, light and pleasant. The Anejo is terrific and has been completely ignored by reviewers. The Select is simply awful, and as for the 8 Year – a modest thumbs up.

2. Cruzan Single Barrel: years ago Cruzan’s Estate Diamond was a real diamond among rums, and widely praised at the MOR and elsewhere. Unfortunately as Cruzan grew by leaps and bounds this fine issue was d/c’d, and all their rums were cheapened, including the “single barrel”. Cruzan is the recipient of massive subsidies and is part of the problem insofar as the attack on the Caribbean producers outside of the USVI and Puerto Rico.

3. Diplomatico Reserva: this is yet another of the heavily altered rums that joins the Zee sweetie crowd of what would be better labeled as full strength rum liqueurs. They all are very tasty but are they pure rum? You decide. The future of this company is also at issue.

4. Panama Red OP: Yes it’s overproof, yes it’s hard to get, yes, it’s yet another of the made-up new marketing brands, and yes, why bother? All mixers of fine drinks should start with Wray & Nephews or Smith & Cross. They have no equals and in the case of W&N is so affordable, it’s a no-brainer. Also threatened.

5. Ron Abuelo 12 Year: lush, lovely, affordable and wonderful. Also threatened by the massive subsidies.

6. Ron Matusalem Classico: a wonderful gold rum to accompany an equally wonderful white – both top mixers in the smooth Cuban style. As far as the Gold goes, and following our Bacardi Smackdown, the Bacardi Gold at not quite half the price of Matusalem is pretty hard to ignore. Still, we have a real soft spot for Matusalem, particularly the Solera 15, which really has no equal. Very much threatened.

7. Appleton Extra 12 Year: one of the world’s best rums, and a tip top example of the Jamaican style. Affordable for now, but perhaps not for long.

8. Mount Gay XO: Couldn’t agree more, this is heaven. Only a handful of classic rums have earned “10′s” at the Rum Project, including the Mount Gay XO. It has been my go-to rum for the last 8 years. Can it be eclipsed (pun intended)? Yes – but only by the 1703 which exceeds our rating scale and would be the first and only rum to garner an “11″ if that were actually possible. Barbados is especially at risk/

9. Diplomatico Hacienda: a rum we don’t know, but I can assure you it will be chock full of sugar and spices of unknown origin. It, whatever “it” is, will be tasty. Under threat.

10. The Lash: an unusual, but terrific choice. We know the creator and he has gone to incredible length to find and use a fine 4 year old base, and actual, real spices (not “artificial”, “natural” or “extracts”. Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely real and wonderful. Only the source of bulk rum is threatened.

Now how about that threat? Your best move is to go to and read the petition to save Caribbean rum as we know it. They are under incredible two pronged attack by the US and its favored US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico – and – the European Union (mostly the first). Diageo, Bacardi and Cruzan benefit from over $9 Billion dollars in subsidies, while our favorite Caribbean rums, especially from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Guyana are facing ruin and may be unable to compete.

The Petition we should all sign is linked above, and also here:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html

The petition preamble gives all the relevent considerations. We should all put our petty differences aside and work together to save our Caribbean friends, families and distillers from possible financial ruin and loss of their fine products, many of which were honored here today.”
It just went up and may or may not have been approved (here).
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Stop Massive Rum Subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Update:


Friends we are enjoying an early positive response. Three notable and famous rum websites, and one importer have signed the petition, which has grown to 21 signatures in about a day and a half, and we are only beginning to get the word out.

The preamble to the petition is now updated, informative and impressive. Simply promoting the petition and including the link in every post you make will help:
Save Caribbean Rum: Sign the Petition!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
I am told that some journalists are looking at this, and hopefully will write their own articles.


Another Tactic:

You can respond to reviews or comments about a "great rum" from the Caribbean by adding your own comments about the rum, and pointing out that it is now threatened, and refer to the petition. Example:
Mount Gay XO: Couldn’t agree more, this is heaven. Only a handful of classic rums have earned “10′s” at the Rum Project, including the Mount Gay XO. It has been my go-to rum for the last 8 years. Can it be eclipsed (pun intended)? Yes – but only by the 1703 which exceeds our rating scale and would be the first and only rum to garner an “11″ if that were actually possible.

Unfortunately these great rums are under great threat from multi-billion dollar subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico and we may lose them! Please sign the official petition to Save Caribbean Rums:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Thanks to all. Please feel free to post your accomplishments and links to any posts you may have made. BTW, there is a dandy post over at the MOR on this matter (here). It appears the word is getting out to others. It is time we all ignore what are really petty differences and band together to save our beloved and worthy Caribbean rums.

These are all hard working families: the Seales, Tobias, Gosling and so many more, representing all of CARICOM's 26 countries, but especially the hardest hit on Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. I daresay Haiti is also badly affected.

Personally, I cannot imagine a world without them. We MUST fight, and fight hard for them. Muchas gracias, mi amigos!
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:57 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Stop Massive Rum Subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Update:


Friends we are enjoying an early positive response. Three notable and famous rum websites, and one importer have signed the petition, which has grown to 21 signatures in about a day and a half, and we are only beginning to get the word out.

The preamble to the petition is now updated, informative and impressive. Simply promoting the petition and including the link in every post you make will help:
Save Caribbean Rum: Sign the Petition!
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
I am told that some journalists are looking at this, and hopefully will write their own articles.


Another Tactic:

You can respond to reviews or comments about a "great rum" from the Caribbean by adding your own comments about the rum, and pointing out that it is now threatened, and refer to the petition. Example:

Mount Gay XO: Couldn’t agree more, this is heaven. Only a handful of classic rums have earned “10′s” at the Rum Project, including the Mount Gay XO. It has been my go-to rum for the last 8 years. Can it be eclipsed (pun intended)? Yes – but only by the 1703 which exceeds our rating scale and would be the first and only rum to garner an “11″ if that were actually possible.
Unfortunately these great rums are under great threat from multi-billion dollar subsidies to the USVI and Puerto Rico and we may lose them! Please sign the official petition to Save Caribbean Rums:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Thanks to all. Please feel free to post your accomplishments and links to any posts you may have made. BTW, there is a dandy post over at the MOR on this matter (here). It appears the word is getting out to others. It is time we all ignore what are really petty differences and band together to save our beloved and worthy Caribbean rums.

These are all hard working families: the Seales, Tobias, Gosling and so many more, representing all of CARICOM's 26 countries, but especially the hardest hit on Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. I daresay Haiti is also badly affected.

Personally, I cannot imagine a world without them. We MUST fight, and fight hard for them. Muchas gracias, mi amigos!
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Capn Jimbo
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Post by Capn Jimbo »

It's been an amazing two days....


We have 28 signatures and closing in quickly on 30. This is really quite amazing since this has barely begun to be publicized. Better yet, most of the signers have promoted the petition on Facebook. Three rum webmasters have signed: Tiare, Scotte and Rum Club Italiano (two of these are major websites). Two other distilling professionals have signed.

I have the feeling this may take off, and damn it, it should. This is not about any one of us, it is about the love of Caribbean rum, its history, and the wonderful people who made it for the last 300 years.

We owe it to them to keep up the fight, and prevent their ruin by uncaring mega-conglomerates who don't give a rats ass about anything but profit at any price. Thanks to all and let's keep it up!

To the death!


*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Stephen Colbert support Save Caribbean Rum!

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Yup - the actual Stephen Colbert highlights the attack on rum...


I was recently informed - and shocked - to find out that none other than Steven Colbert, on The Colbert Report, highlighted our issue. Be SURE to check this out, right now...

Link to to Colbert on Rum Subsidies

It's not a long clip, so watch from the beginning... it's an absolute hoot, very supportive and shows Colbert's close attention to the real issues. Thank you Steven! Let's all raise a dram with "Captain Colbert's Original Pond Rum"!


*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
Last edited by Capn Jimbo on Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Sir Ronald Sanders: Commentator Supreme

Post by Capn Jimbo »

Sir Ronald commentaries on rum...


First of all, just who is Sir Ronald Sanders?
From his CV:

Sir Ronald Sanders is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London in the UK. He is an International Consultant, Writer and former senior Caribbean Ambassador.

At the invitation of former US President Jimmy Carter, he became a member of "The Friends of the Democratic Charter" in October 2011. In addition to President Carter, the "Friends" include the Rt Hon Joe Clarke, former Head of Government of Canada, and several other heads of Government, Foreign Ministers and a few senior officials from nations of the Western Hemisphere,

In July 2010 Sir Ronald was appointed as one of 10 members of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) which was requested by Commonwealth Heads of Government to recommend options for reform that will sharpen the impact of the 53-nation Commonwealth, strengthen its networks and raise its profile. The report of the Group, to which Sanders was also Rapporteur, was submitted to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in 2011 where it dominated the Conference.

He is also a member of International Advisory Board of the Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs which is a scholarly journal published six times a year. Founded in 1910, The Round Table is Britain's oldest international affairs journal, providing analysis and commentary on all aspects of international affairs.

In the private sector he has served on the Board of Directors of Financial Institutions, Telecom Companies, Media Companies and a Sustainable Forestry Company in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Barbados, Guyana, and the US Virgin Islands.

In the public sector he has served as the elected Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force against drug trafficking and money laundering (2003-2004). He also served on the Board of the International Programme for the Development of Communication at UNESCO (1983-1985) and as an elected member of the Executive Board of UNESCO (1985-1987).

His diplomatic career spanned two periods between 1982 to 1987 and 1996 to 2004. He was twice High Commissioner to the United Kingdom for Antigua and Barbuda and Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He had special responsibilities for negotiations on financial and trade matters in the WTO and with the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He attended Commonwealth and CARICOM Foreign Ministers and Heads of Governments Conferences throughout his diplomatic career.

He served on numerous committees, task forces and advisory boards to formulate and implement policy for the Caribbean and the Commonwealth. He also has experience of dealing with regulatory bodies such as the FCC in the US, and he has led a successful complaint to an arbitration panel of the World Trade Organisation. He has negotiated Tax Information Exchange Agreements and Double Taxation Agreements with Britain, the US and Australia and loan and investment agreements with Britain and China.

His consultancies include work in public affairs for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Foundation for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and UNESCO, as well as private companies where he has negotiated acquisitions and financing and advised on corporate policy and public affairs.

A former Visiting Fellow at Oxford University, he holds a MA in International relations from the University of Sussex, and he is the author of several publications on small states in the international political economy including “Crumbled Small: The Commonwealth Caribbean in the Global Community” (London, 2005). He writes a weekly commentary in leading newspapers throughout the Caribbean and on several Internet News Websites including the BBC.

Sanders is frequently interviewed on Caribbean and Commonwealth matters by the BBC (UK), CANA (Caribbean) the Latin American Advisor (USA) and other international media. He has been invited by the Governments of Canada, the United Kingdom and CARICOM to participate in Think-Tanks and Seminars. He has been a guest lecturer at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, The Royal College of Defence Studies, Bristol University and London Metropolitan University.

In other words, he's not just another blogging schlump, but a widely known and respected expert on the Caribbean, CARICOM and Commonwealth matters. His opinions are credible, and they count.


As far as Caribbean Rum is concerned....

Heres a (link) to his commentaries on Rum, which include:

1. Rum, Rivalry and Resistance
2. Rum facing devastating double whammy
3. Rum threat loomin larger
4. Rum parting the ways between the US and the Caribbean
5. Caribbean Rum facing threat in the US
Hint: when you get to the linked page, you have to "Select by Topic". Topics are listed down the left side of the page, under "support" check off the box for "Rum issues with the US and EU" (near bottom left of page), then click on "Search", at the extreme bottom left of page. These five articles will then show up.
These articles are listed from most current to oldest, but all were written recently in 2012, leading up to the fiasco of the "fiscal cliff" legislation on Jan 1, 2013, which sealed the fate of Caribbean Rum, and pretty much insures the failure of many rums from Barbados, Jamaican, Guyana, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas (who are most at threat), but not excluding all non-US Caribbean Rums.

I was going to say you read only one, follow the link and read the "double whammy" commentary, but actually reading all five, beginning with the oldest will truly open your eyes. The threats are quite real, and not just political gamesmanship. They are happening now - 2012 was a pivotal years.

Anyone who claims to be a "rum lover" - and I'm talking to you Ed, Wolfie and Lance - and yet who doesn't actively support this cause is a cajone challenged fool, or so heavily influenced by Diageo, Fortune and Bacardi that they fear offending them, and would rather see Caribbean rums fail than to remove their lips from their megacorporate, table-buying rum butt buddies.

Please follow the link and educate yourselves...


*******
Sign the Petition to Save Caribbean Rum:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sto ... uerto.html
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American Rum Association

Post by Capn Jimbo »

American Rum Association notes the issue:


There is a newly formed association of small Americn distillers of rum:
http://www.americanrum.org/

They are clearly aware of the problem - please go to the site and click on the link to "NEWS". I'd also add that the Huffington Post has a series of articles that reference the issue of the rum subsidies in the "fiscal cliff" legislation. When you consider that this issue is far from invisible, you really have to wonder why there seems to be the outrage I would expect.


My speculations:

1. The commercial sites like Burr, The Rum Queen and of course the Shillery have too many ties and are dependent on the Big Three and their many distributors to buy tables and submit product to their rumfests.

2. Wannabees like Liquorature, Wolfie and Rum Victoria are alpha monkeys at the Shillery and tend to take their cues from the Preacher, and are reticent to complain too loudly. Wolfie's absense is especially notable.

3. I have been reliably informed by a very well connected industry insider that spirits publications are fearful of writing as they receive huge advertising dollars from the Big Three, and again the many distributors.

4. A goodly number of party hearty types really like the Big Three products and really don't care.

5. There are a significan number of monkeys who are not yet ready to participate, and who depend on their Master's Voice before reacting.

6. CARICOM itself suffers from family infighting.


That's the bad news. How about the good:

7. Three major rum webmaster have signed, and I have the interest of a well known fourth. The goal is for them to publicize the issue and petition.

8. We have had an initial rush of signers, and can hope for more. Early target: reaching our first hundred signers.

9. There has been lots of national coverage of the tax rebate, including Steven Colbert of The Colbert Report. Not covered though are the special, recent and truly massive special subsidies.

10. The newly formed American Rum Association has noted the problem.

11. I have noted that readers and a few emailers who actually "get" the real extent of the issue are equally horrified.

So we now enter the 2nd phase, which is the long slog part. This is where the issue and the petition can continue to be posted whereever we can. An obvious post is in response to a positive post about a fine rum, that agrees and notes that if you like it, you'd better buy a case, and soon.

Up and at em...
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