7th Annual Chicago Rum Festival

7th Annual Chicago Rum Festival Returns with a Focus on Education
April 22, 2023 at Logan Square Auditorium

The 7th Annual Chicago Rum Fest is back and better than ever, bringing together rum lovers and trade professionals from all over the country on April 22, 2023, 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 try two Illinois-based vendors, Star Union Spirits and Chicago Cane Collective.

Seminar highlights include:

La Maison & Velier Presents: Dunderstruck, The Hampden Estate 8 Marks Collection (VIP Seminar) – Kate Perry will guide us through an in depth tasting of the marks of Hampden Estate ranging from OWH to DOK. This is the first ever preview of the new ‘8 Marks Collection’ which will arrive in the US Market for early summer. The seminar will offer a guided tasting of each mark (unaged at 60% abv) with chemical and organoleptic analysis grounded in historical production methods. This tasting is not for the faint of heart: dunderheads only.
Why rum is capturing the attention of whiskey enthusiasts with Liz Rhoades (VIP Seminar) – Once dismissed by many whisky connoisseurs, rum is now making serious inroads with the bourbon crowd. Which rums are drawing the attention of whisky lovers and why? And how might a rum-geek help bring their whiskey-drinking friends into the rum fold? In this panel, we’ll get insights from the experts.
100% Estate Grown Rum with Zan Kong, Miriam Pacheco, Otto Flores – Today, many rum distilleries source their raw materials from other countries or other suppliers in their country. It’s rare to see 100% estate-grown rum brands/companies. During these seminars, you will learn about and taste 100% Estate esquite rum.

The event is divided into three sessions from 2:00pm – 7:00pm.

The Trade Industry Session – Spirit Professional Session Pass allows you to attend the event for 1.5 Hours (2:00pm – 3:30pm). Networking, premium rum tastings, access to Trade Seminars, and more. Note: Only For members of the trade (bar, restaurant & retail sale of beer/spirits) and beverage media. *IMPORTANT to note your affiliation to the trade in the work info portion of ticket registration form, credentials may be requested. Tickets: $45.00

VIP Enthusiastic Session consist of a 4 hour program (3:00pm-7:00pm) offering attendees: 1 hour early admission, exclusive tasting cup, premium rums, access to 1 VIP seminar, consumer seminars, subscription to TheRumLab Weekly Industry Newsletter, and access to The Rum Cocktail Hours. Early Bird: $70 / Regular $85 / Duo Pass: $160 Tickets: $140.00

VIP “Grand” Experts Session consist of a 5 hour program (2:00pm-7:00pm) offering attendees: 2 hour early admission, exclusive tasting cup, premium rums, access to 2 VIP seminars, consumer seminars, subscription to TheRumLab Weekly Industry Newsletter, and access to The Rum Cocktail Hours. Early Bird: $75 / Regular $95 / Duo Pass: $180 Tickets: $140.00

Rum Aficionados General Admission consists of a 3 hour program (4:00pm-7:00pm) offering attendees: tasting cup, premium rums, access to consumer seminars, Early Bird: $60 / Regular $75 / Duo Pass: $130

For more information visit: https://chicagorumfest.com

Participating Brands include:

Marigot Bay

Saison Rum

Rhum Barbancourt

Single Cask Nation

Black Tot Rum

The Impex Collection

Chinola

Chicago Cane Cooperative

Bayou Rum

Ron Pepon