Cocktail lovers take note, 11th-17th October is all about one spirit: rum. To celebrate, we chat to the Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell about the category in general as well as how to choose a rum to suit your palate and what's in store at the upcoming RumFest on 16th October.

But before we get to the interview, there are the reviews… In this episode we share our thoughts on Dima's Vodka from Ukraine, Amaro Santoni from Italy and the flavours of Japan to be found at Sachi and Sakaya, two bars in one building – Pantechnicon in Knightsbridge.

Tristan Stephenson's Curious Bartender Rum Odyssey from our cocktail library brings us back to the rum theme and the cocktail we're making this week seals the deal.

What we're mixing:

Rum Old Fashioned

50ml dark rum (we used Santa Teresa)

2 1/2 tsp either Demerara or Muscovado sugar syrup (2 parts sugar to one part water)

2 dashes Orange Bitters

2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters

Orange peel to garnish

Method:

Stir all ingredients over ice in a Rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' Watson

For more from The Cocktail Lovers, including signing up for our digital and print magazine, visit our website, thecocktaillovers.com

To see the products featured in this episode, check out our Instagram page @thecocktaillovers and see their websites below:

Amaro Santoni

Dima's Vodka

Curious Bartender Rum Odyssey

Sachi

Sakaya

Santa Teresa 1796

RumFest

The RumFest trade event is on 15 October

RumFest Live and RumFest online is on 16 October. The live session will be split in two sessions 12-4pm and 5pm-9pm; the online session lasts for 5 hours

Spiced Rum Show 17 October

Tickets and information from rumfest.co.uk

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Rum goings on with Ian Burrell, The Global Rum Ambassador

The Cocktail Lovers