After monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Australia organisers of the inaugural Plantation Rum Cup have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event.
With the Cup relying on sales, venues and teamwork and with lockdowns in place in large parts of NSW and now Queensland, organisers said a virtual competition would not do justice to what they were looking for with this competition.
In a statement organisers said: “The Plantation Rum Cup 2021 was open to all hospitality professionals in Australia and New Zealand. The response to Phase One of the competition was overwhelming. Each venue submitted a compelling entry, competing for a spot at the Sydney Bar Week Grand Final in the inaugural year of the competition.
“Rum is one of the most diverse spirits that exists. Each country or production zone is its own unique “terroir” with unique characteristics, a particular soil, traditional growing patterns, and specific techniques. Plantation Rum sources rum from all over the world – from the Caribbean to South America and to Asia Pacific – to express their unique terroirs with ‘savoir-faire’ by master blender, Alexandre Gabriel. As in their core ranges, the Bartender Classics and Signature Blends, the rums are blended with a variety of terroirs and/or ages and then rested in ex-Ferrand Cognac barrels to achieve a well-made rum, holistically.
“The same can be said for a team in a venue. The Plantation Rum Cup is a team competition that includes all members of a venue who create and enhance the guests’ experience.
“After much deliberation, monitoring the impact COVID-19 has had on our industry during the activation period, Plantation Rum and Proof & Company have made the remorseful decision to cancel the competition for 2021.
“A virtual competition wouldn’t do justice to the participating bartenders and the way they have embraced this competition.
“Plantation Rum and Proof & Company thank everyone for their support of this competition and look forward to delivering an event worthy of the bartender’s skills and enthusiasm.”