Message 28890 of 39188 in General Discussion

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I read an interesting article this evening at drinktrader
http://www.drinktrader.com/?q=node/120

"Bacardi bought the recipe and the Havana Club name from the Arechabala family 
in 1994, and the rum was offered in the U.S. for three years. It was 
eventually pulled from shelves, though, after a legal battle began over who 
had the right to distribute a product under the Havana Club label in the U.S."

"Bacardi's version of Havana Club, which is made in Puerto Rico, starts with 
black-strap molasses that goes through a fermentation process the company says 
is three times slower than traditional methods. It is distilled five times and 
aged in oak barrels."

In short, the 'original' distillers of Havana Club fled to the US after Castro 
took over Cuba. Bacardi bought the rights to the name and original recipe in 
the United States, and after winning a legal stoush with the Cuban Havana Club 
and Pernod Ricard, Bacardi are selling THEIR version of HC in the US.

Anyone else think this is complete and utter bullshit? The world knows Havana 
Club as the rum being produced out of Cuba; what are the ramifications of 
Bacardi coming along and saying "Hey, try this, it's Havana Club!" Um, sorry 
fellas, but that ISN'T the Havana Club that everyone is expecting. Just 
because it's not available in the US (wait a few months people) doesn't mean 
you can slap down a product and call it HC. And what happens when Castro dies, 
McDonalds and Coke set up shop in Cuba, and the embargo is dropped? What kind 
of legal dramas will unfold then about the rights to the name Havana Club?

I haven't tried the rum so I can't comment on the quality, tho they are 
selling it in Florida. Miss Charming, if you'd be so kind as to pick up a 
bottle and give us all a heads up on what it's like? :P

I'd love to hear some opinions on the matter.

Adam