Cynthia Vargas: Rum used to be a men-only domain, but that’s no longer the case. New challenges lie ahead

editor editor Photo: Visitchef.com

"At the beginning, it was important for me to learn how to ‘read’ the casks, to understand the wood, and to become a true expert and a genuine rum lover. As an expert, you know that there comes a moment when the flavors reach a rounded complexity. When you find a rum in the cask with a perfectly balanced profile, that’s the time to draw it off and savor it," says Matusalem’s master blender, Cynthia Vargas.

“Europe is a key market for Savanna, and Savanna itself is a very complex and versatile rum. Bartenders are very important partners for us in this dialogue, because they know our products,...
“I have a bottle of whiskey at home that I’ve been saving for a desert island. It’s a bit of a unicorn. I opened one like it at my wedding, and I hope to share the other with my children one day....
From working in a factory and hospitality in Malta to becoming one of the Czech Republic’s leading bartenders. Luca Cerqueglini talks to VisitChef about his journey, five attempts at World Class,...
"Forget the rules." According to Tim D. Philips, Global Brand Ambassador for Johnnie Walker, whisky isn't about how you're supposed to drink it—it's about how you enjoy it. In this interview, he...
"Every gin producer says they have the finest botanicals for their gin—and of course, we say the same. The way we source them directly from farmers is truly exceptional. But what really sets us...
“You can have a perfect drink, but if everything else is flat and boring, there’s no reason for the guest to return,” says Marian Beke, founder of the legendary Gibson bar, now based in Berlin. In...
“I think making a good cocktail is actually quite easy. Guests don’t come primarily for the drinks, but for the atmosphere, hospitality, and the people,” says Adam Eddy Bursik, a Slovak bartender...
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that The World’s 50 Best Bars is based more on popularity than on experience. In reality, at its core, it’s very much an experience-driven list. It’s important...
“Our inspiration for producing Savanna rums comes from the wild nature of Réunion Island. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to understand why you would sell a rum for, say, €50 a bottle when they...