Lauren Coulman Rum is having a bit of a revival, though thatâs nothing Manchester hasnât known for a while now. With three dedicated rum bars in the shape of Keko Moku, Hula and The Liarâs Club, the latter being the most recent winner of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Bar of the Year, Mancunians have been paying homage to happy spirits for a good few years now.
Reflecting a nationwide trend, rum sales are on the rise, no doubt spurred by the big balls spirit brands putting top dollar behind new product development and marketing. 2011 saw the launch of Bacardiâs newest rum, Bacardi Oakheart, a boldly spiced rum to rival Captain Morgan (from Diageo), another rum brand which has benefitted from some serious advertising spend in the past few years.
Further helped by the revival of the classic mojito and its fruitier friend, the daiquiri, the heightened awareness surrounding the spirit has turned a new generation on to the tipple, with a keen interest in how the spirit can be enjoyed beyond their parentâs preference for clear white spirits with coke.
The interest in rum has led to an exploration of niche brands and new experiences, mirroring the more recent resurgence in the popularity of boutique gins.
The Liquorists rum trails, in particular, continue to entertain Manchester food and drink lovers, offering interesting twists on the classic cocktails and sipping liquors from lesser known rum distilleries. As with all things great, it was only a matter of time before the trend hit the high street, (discounting Bacardi Breezers of course), which is where Revolution, nationwide vodka touts and sanctuary for students, steps in.
Cue Revolucion De Cuba, the a rum-themed offering from the popular UK chain (which, incidentally started in Manchester not so very long ago) is not entirely as youâd expect. Though some of Revolutionâs gimmicks spill over, most noticeably in the form of flavoured rum shots for sharing, the new brand offers a collection of some of the worldâs finest premium rums and an impressive cocktail collection, appealing to a slightly more mature palate.
Aged Guyanese rum
My drinking compadre and I much enjoyed our beautifully executed Mojito Royale and Vanilla Swizzle, the former boasting a refreshing Havana Club 7 based rum topped off with cava, and the latter sweetly setting off a Guyanese 5-year old El Dorado with pineapple juice and vanilla.
While cocktails are masterfully executed, the food on offer is a little more hit-and-miss. Unlike the vodka concept, De Cuba offers up a comprehensive cantina menu with Latin-inspired tapas-style dishes to share, plus large plates offering everything from burritos to the way too ubiquitous burger.
The highlight was the tender pork belly, crisp with crackling and doused in a spicy rum sauce, closely followed by the red wine roasted chorizo. The bland pescado fritos and under-seasoned sweet potato croquettes were less of a success, sadly made more disappointing by the 40 minute wait.
Open just three short weeks, and only the fourth bar and restaurant opening for the chain, such hiccups can be forgiven, especially with a toasty 3-year old El Dorado rum and a fruity Appleton Special Jamaica on hand to pass the time.
The friendly service and convivial atmosphere soothed away any further stresses, a considerable achievement given the cavernous room, which still manages to feel intimate, boasting palm trees and (ever so slightly too loud) Latin music, nearly invoking a Caribbean idyll.
Despite the city-wide competition, Revolucion De Cuba is a pleasant addition to the Manchester rum scene, and with live music rooms and rum master classes to help in pulling in the crowds, this piece of paradise on the corner of Peter Street is likely to continue the good work already started, educating the masses on the boundless beauty of rum.
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South Central, 11 Peter Street, M2 5QR. Tel: 0161 826 8266. www.revoluciondecuba.com