karin vonk, Author at Richland Single Estate Old South Georgia Rum

Featured Cocktail

Harvest Season 2021

Went to sleep in August and woke up in November!
If it weren’t for the cool dry air and the earthy color tones we wouldn’t believe that we are midway through the eleventh month of the year. Although the season approached quickly, we are happy it did because This. is. Harvest. Season. Late November/early December are generally the times of year when we can harvest the annual crop of sugarcane that first started sprouting back in February. This year was one of our most fertile growing seasons we’ve had in the past two decades, with ample amounts of rain and sunshine helping our cane grow lush and tall. Given the ideal conditions, our 2021 vintage of sugarcane is of impeccable quality and we are excited to enjoy the Rum that is made from this year’s crop!

The prospect of a premature freeze led us to harvest this year’s crop a little earlier than usual, but we were ready with all hands on deck ready to cut, shear, load, til, dig, chop, plant, press, and work from sunup to sundown(and even into the night) in order to make sure that every stalk of cane at Richland Estate was accounted for. In a span of less than two weeks, we harvested this year’s crop and planted next year’s crop, a task that is laborious and tiring but also rewarding. Even though our backs are achy and our hands worn, we were able to enjoy our time under the big blue sky and had our fair share of laughter and camaraderie while eating our boxed lunches.

Wooden barrels arranged under a rustic shelter outdoors.

Two chairs sit among dried sugarcane stalks under a blue sky.

Farmers working together on a tractor in a field under a cloudy sky.

Some of this year’s harvest, which has already been pressed and gradually heated/reduced into syrup, will be sent to Brunswick to Distill our brand new Platinum Label Virgin Coastal Georgia STILL STRENGTH Expression. Much of the rest of the syrup from this year’s vintage will be stored and used in coming months to Distill batches of Rum in 2022, which means that we won’t get to taste the exceptional qualities until at least 2026 or beyond…but patience rewards those who wait, and we will keep our hands out of the cookie jar to let the barrels work their magic without interruption. Speaking of Barrels, nearly 100 NEW American White Oak Barrels from Wisconsin arrived earlier this month. These beautiful Barrels were patiently air dried for six years, and built by the renowned Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky (it’s certainly nice to sneak a few of those barrels out of Bourbon Country in order to age a little rum).

The quality of our Rum is exemplified in every phase of our Rum Making Process; it begins on the farm with Sustainably Grown Sugarcane, it continues with the Proprietary Yeast we use for Fermenting, the traditional Alembic Copper Pot Stills, our Distillation technique, all the way to the Barrels and the Aging Process. Composing a masterpiece takes time, it takes skill, and it takes great people. Thank you to all the local farmers who came out to help us harvest this year’s crop, thank you to our wonderful teams in Brunswick and Richland, and thank you, our patrons, for continuing to buy, sip, and share Richland Rum, i.e The Spirit Of Georgia®.

Excerpts & Extensions of Richland Rum Proprietor Erik Vonk

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Richland Rum Manhattan - any which way

This Classic Cocktail is even better with Richland Rum… but really any of our expressions would work here. Of course, only the aged Rum will do for this exquisite cocktail.
The one you choose really is your personal preference, there is an expression for everyone. For traditionalists, Richland Rum Classic Reserve at Cask Strength will turn this Manhattan into the Imperial Brown Ale (IBA) Cask Exchange for the bourbon conversions, Port Cask Exchange for a tad more sweetness thanks to the bouquet of ripe/sweet red fruits from the port notes, and of course, you can’t go wrong with the Classic Reserve 86.

Next, what would your custom Rum Manhattan look like. Typically a sweet vermouth is added for sweetness and bite, but perhaps you’d want to experiment adding Fernet Branca or maybe a dash of Port Wine.
Last, the bitters. Traditionally, add a few drops of Angostura, try adding a little orange bitter, perhaps something more citrus-y, or something sweeter for the sweet tooth? Anything and everything works, make your custom Rum Manhattan.

Richland Rum Signature Cocktails

Featured Cocktail

Richland Rum Manhattan - any which way