New Cuban Rum Brands Hit World, European Markets

Cuba will unveil eight new top-notch rum brands before the international market within the framework of the island nation´s First Rum Festival that starts Sunday in Havana.

Members of the event´s Organizing Committee said Cubay, Santero, Arecha, Legendario, Santiago, Mulata, Varadero and Caney -spirits of longstanding tradition in the domestic market and among foreign visitors- will have their big world debut this year.

Some 320 attendants from thirty companies and fifteen countries, including Canada, Mexico, U.K., Italy and Venezuela, have confirmed their coming to the Rum Festival scheduled from June 6 to 9 in the nation´s capital.

Regla Jimenez, chairwoman of the International Rum Festival Organizing Committee, ruled out the possibility that the eight newcomers could actually snatch away Havana Club´s share of the market. Cuba´s number-one spirit, marketed by France-based Pernod Ricard Co., sold 1.9 million cases of 10-lt. bottles overseas last year alone.

"There´s an interest in hyping Cuban rums in the world market," Mrs. Jimenez said in a press conference. "Those rum brands could grab a market of their own."

Mrs. Jimenez explained that her being a part of the Festival Organizing Committee proves Havana Club has nothing to worry about. "Better yet, the whole bunch together can further highlight made-in-Cuba spirits in the world market now," she went on to say.

The Festival will also include a huge tradeshow at the colonial fortress of La Cabaña, plus a international barmen contest, related events, theoretical sessions and technical tours to distilleries and factories.