The inaugural Rum & Roll Rendezvous event would be happening the last weekend of this month at the InterContinental Singapore. This a three-day rum retreat would celebrate all things rum with a mix of tastings, masterclasses, food and a speakeasy soiree.

For the duration of the retreat, InterContinental's grand Lobby Lounge would be transformed into a rum lover's paradise – something of a rum exhibition. Iconic rum brands like Appleton, Bacardi, Flor de Caña, Plantation, and Nobilis would set up booths where participants could have a taste of their rums.

I was fortunate to snag an invite to the media preview to have a very brief taste of what to expect at the retreat – and let me tell you that it was the perfect prelude to the cane and molasses-fuelled adventure that awaits in end July.

There were delectable canapés and pasta dishes to sample, and a rum-infused baba that was simply divine. But the highlight of the evening without a doubt the flight of rums very thoughtfully put arranged for by Frederic from The Rum Cartel. Here are a couple of rums I sampled (although they were originally tasted blind as part of a game prepared by the meticulous InterContinental team).

Flor de Caña 130th Anniversary, 45% ABV was next. Right off the bat, the nose was a mix of bright mint and fresh grassiness, but then these deeper notes of brown sugar, toffee, and even a bit of chocolate came through. There’s a lot more going on the palate, with espresso, brown sugar, trail mix nuts, dried fruit, and a hint of something herbal. This rum stood out for its brightness and depth at the same time.

Next up, we have the Nobilis Clarendon 2010, 11 Years, 68.4% ABV. This Jamaican rum had an aroma chock full of esters, cloves, spices and cinnamon, with a subtly funky touch of overripe bananas that alluded to its Jamaican origins. On the palate, it’s dense yet not overpowering – root beer, ripe mangoes and layers of wood lacquer in a not unpleasant way, ending off with a finish of light mint and liquorice. Despite the high ABV of 68.4% that may intimidate some, this was remarkably drinkable – all of us attending the preview sampled this dram on a blind tasting basis and almost all of us guessed a significantly lower ABV than the reality. This was definitely my dram of the night.

We move on to the Nobilis Foursquare Barbados 2011, 13 Years, 60.5% ABV . The aroma hit me with a wave of syrupy sweetness, almost like a plum jam, along with floral accents, hawthorn, and a hint of something herbal, almost medicinal. On the palate, lovely velvety texture along with a rather rounded and smooth body – not what I expected for its high ABV either! The sweetness is very prominent, but it was balanced by tart fruits and a lot of spice, especially on the finish. This was a complex rum with a lot going on, but it was all tied together nicely.

Next in line was the Appleton Estate 2002, 20 Years Old, Hearts Collection. Some may be a little intimidated by the age statement, but it smelled amazing – bright and fruity, like a mix of apricots and candied orange. There was also a faint hint of leather, but it was really subtle. I was expecting something a bit funkier from a Jamaican rum, but this was clean and round. Tasting it, I got tart fruits, honey, orange marmalade, and a little bit of peppery spice while the finish brought back a herbaceous note from the nose. This rum was also a step up. It had a lot of depth and complexity, and yet at the age of 20 years, it still remains very lively and fresh.

The last rum in the quintet was the Planteray/Plantation Fiji Islands 2009 . I was most curious about this one as I hadn't tried a Fijian rum before. The nose was certainly interesting – tons of molasses, but not overly sweet with a slight grassy note, and something a bit acetone-like, somewhat like Magic Marker, though it wasn't unpleasant. On the palate, this was smooth, light and very easy to drink with bright raspberries and a pure candy-like sweetness along with minty liquorice. This is pretty straightforward and very accessible – it’d say it’s dangerously easy to sip on.

Overall, this has been a promising glimpse into what the Rum & Roll Rendezvous has in store. It’s clear this isn’t just another spirits event. The tie in with InterContinental surely promises a meticulously curated experience with top notch hospitality, designed to educate, entertain and celebrate the richness and diversity of rums.

Don't Miss Out: Book Your Tickets Now!

Whether you love rums or a drinking party, Rum & Roll Rendezvous has something for everyone.

Reserve your places now on InterContinental Singapore's ticketing site, with a 20% early bird discount for those who book before 7 July. So, grab your friends, dust off your dancing shoes, and get ready for a weekend of rum adventures! Whether you're interested in learning about the different types of rum, trying new cocktails, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere, this event is not to be missed.

@CharsiuCharlie