The great, the good and the thirsty gathered around an authentic and colourful shack-style bar at Oxford Street’s Turtle Bay yesterday, waiting to be schooled in the art of rum.
Turtle Bay is known for its succulent jerk chicken, heady one pot stews, but the city’s favourite Caribbean can deliver a lot more than top notch nosh.
The £1million restaurant, which opened in May, is home to over forty different rums from all over the world.
Turtle Bay bar trainer and rum expert Oliver Blackman said: “Rum is such an exciting drink and has more diversity that nearly any other spirit.
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“With rum it goes from one side of the spectrum with the silver rum which has a tropically feel and the scents of lychees and pears, all the way down to the dark rum which is full of molasses, brown sugar, coffee and chocolate.
“It goes through that wide spectrum of flavour and that’s what makes it so special.”
Just like the rum, Oliver was warm, vibrant and definitely the real deal. Taking us on a journey around the islands and beyond we got a taste of the variety Turtle Bay has to offer.
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Showcasing the establishment’s white, dark, gold, over proof and spiced rums, it is clear the place has left no stone unturned when comes to sourcing its most prized spirit.
One of the lighter and fruitier rums went down a real treat, golden in colour, the Pyrat XO Reserve definitely hit the spot, just what the doctor ordered on a warm July afternoon.
A real favourite was Myres, a Jamaican dark rum with a molasses flavour strong enough to make one overcome with nostalgia as memories or cold nights and bonfire toffee flicker gently off the tongue.
The real show stopper of the night however was the Santa Teresa Rhum Orange Liqueur, a warm, aromatic Venezuelan drink which despite its fruity flavour had no harsh acidity.
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The rounded flavour, with hints of vanilla and definite notes of chocolate were almost overwhelming to the senses.
Ollie described the drink as ‘a party in your mouth’ and he couldn’t be more right.
All of these rums and countless more are available at Turtle Bay, whether that straight, on the rocks or celebrated in one of their delicious cocktails.
Oliver said: “Rum is a very classic but often overlooked spirit; the cocktails that are created with the spirit are so diverse and popularity of rum has soared over the last ten years.
“This really is the spirit to watch.”
