8th Annual Chicago Rum Festival Returns with a Focus on Education

8th Annual Chicago Rum Festival Returns with a Focus on Education

April 20, 2024 at Logan Square Auditorium

The 8th Annual Chicago Rum Fest is back and better than ever, bringing together rum lovers and trade professionals from all over the country on Saturday, April 20, at Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647). This year's event promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring premium rum expressions poured, speaker programing, entertainment, and more.

The USA is considered one of the most important countries in the entire rum industry. Before the American Revolution, rum was the most consumed spirit, and now experiencing a renaissance. The Rum Lab team produces the Puerto Rico Rum Festival "Taste of Rum", Miami Rum Congress, California, New York, LA Rum Fest, San Francisco Rum Fest, and the Chicago Rum Festival. Each event attracts hundreds of people from trade, rum aficionados, tourists & locals.

The state of Illinois is one of the largest rum consumer markets in the USA. This year, attendees can sample two Illinois-based vendors, Star Union Spirits and Chicago Cane Collective.

Participating Brands include:

Shakara (Thailand)

Dos Maderas Rum

Lemon Hart & Son

Camikara (India)

Saint Benevolence

Canerock Jamaican Spiced Rum

Renegade Cane Rum

Admiral Rodney Saint Lucia Rum

Santa Teresa Rum

Bacardi

Marigot Bay

Single Cask Nation

Black Tot Rum

The Impex Collection

Chicago Cane Cooperative

Saint James

MonyMusk

Long Pond

Maggie’s Farm Rum (Pennsylvania)

Star Union Spirits

Hampden Estate

Bounty Rum

Worthy Park

Tiburon Rum (Belize)

Ron Centenario

Rum-Bar

Clement Rhum

Rhum J.M

Chairman’s Reserve Rum

Seminar highlights:

Transcontinental Aging (2:45pm) - Climate, weather, barrel types, and extensive travel are challenges for rums from all over the world to create distinctive profiles, from the Caribbean or other countries to France or Spain.

Le Décollage – Cane Rules Everything Around Me C.R.E.A.M (4:45pm) - Welcome to the Jungle of newly discovered centuries old styles of cane spirits, from trailblazing Rhum Agricole, to Aguardiente de Cana.

The Importance of Puerto Rican Rum for the Spirits Industry (3:45pm)

Haitian Rhums & Culture (5:45pm)

The event is divided into sessions from 2 – 7 pm.

SESSION #1 -- VIP Rum Experts Session consists of a 5.5-hour program (1:30 - 7 pm) offering the attendees the opportunity to:

2.5 Hour early admission

Exclusive tasting cup presented by The NEAT Glass

Taste premium rums

Access to 2 VIP Seminars (RSVP only as space is limited. More details soon)

Attend Consumer seminars (RSVP only as space is limited. More details soon)

Automatic subscription to TheRumLab Weekly Industry Newsletter

Price: Early Bird: $75.00 (Limited quantity) | Regular Price: $95.00 | Duo Pass: $180.00

SESSION #2 - The Trade "Industry" Session consists of a 1.5-hour program (2 - 3:30 pm) offering industry professionals the opportunity to:

Network with the brand representative

Taste premium rums

Attend Trade Focus Seminars (RSVP only as space is limited. More details soon)

Mingle with industry colleagues

Note: Only For members of the trade (bar, restaurant & retail sale of beer/spirits) and beverage media.

Price: Regular Price: $45.00 (Limited amount)| Note: Only For members of the trade (bar, restaurant & retail sale of beer/spirits) and beverage media.

SESSION #3 - VIP Enthusiastic Session consists of a 4-hour program (3 - 7 pm) offering the attendees the opportunity to:

1 Hour early admission

Exclusive tasting cup presented by The NEAT Glass

Taste premium rums

Access to 1 VIP Seminars (RSVP only as space is limited. More details soon)

Attend Consumer seminars (RSVP only as space is limited. More details soon)

Automatic subscription to TheRumLab Weekly Industry Newsletter

Price: Early Bird: $70.00 (Limited quantity) | Regular Price: $85.00 | Duo Pass: $160.00

SESSION #4: Rum Aficionados General Admission Tasting Session consists of a 3-hour program (4 - 7:00 pm) offering the attendees the opportunity to:

3oz souvenir cup

Taste premium rums

Attend Consumer seminars (RSVP only as space is limited. More details soon)

Price: Early Bird: $60.00 (Limited quantity) Regular Price: $75.00 (Limited amount if any available) Duo Pass: $130.00

Event sponsors: Planetary Rum, Rhum Barbancourt, Caribbean Craves, Junte Boricua, Sotil (Sisters of the Leaf), The Ultimate Awards, Rum Ratings, Beverage Testing Institute, Women Leading Rum, Neat (The Ultimate Spirits Glass),The Rum Lab, FLAG Marketing.

The Rum Lab is a creative and production agency focused on the rum industry. The company produces Puerto Rico’s national rum fest - Taste of Rum Puerto Rico - in addition to the California Rum Festival, Midwest Rum Festival, New York Rum Festival. Events produced by The Rum Lab attract hundreds of guests including beverage trade professionals, rum aficionados, tourists and local consumers. Learn more at www.therumlab.com.

For more information visit https://chicagorumfest.com, or https://tinyurl.com/ykzu7ysb for tickets.

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