Rumwonk (@rumwonk) header
Rumwonk (@rumwonk) profile picture

Matt Pietrek. Rum writer, consultant, and historian. Author of Modern Caribbean Rum. West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association Community Envoy.

Joined March 2020
Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)Photo by Rumwonk (@rumwonk)
Hey writer friends! Or friends of writers! If you're putting a holiday gift guide, we have some suggestions. Our Wonk Press books - Modern Caribbean Rum, Polynesiacs, and Minimalist Tiki make for great holiday gift giving. Link to Wonk Press site: wonkpress.com/
2
5
719
Every time someone says "dunder pit," an ester dies.
1
8
479
Replying to @rumwonk
@rumwonk killed it today with a rum class as part of @TheUSBG’s #DiamondJubilee. And we finally got a copy of his @totc #2023spiritedawards-winning tome! Essential reading for any rum nerd. 🤓😎 rumwonk.com/p/a-moment-in-th…
1
1
127
Honored to receive this award!
Replying to @totc
🔸 Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith — Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
1
1
11
531
We're very excited that our Modern Caribbean Rum book is a Top Four Finalist for the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits. However, I had a lot of help, as seen in the book's acknowledgments pages. wonkpress.com/products/moder…
3
287
Hukilau highlights: It was great to finally get my hands on "Modern Caribbean Rum," the mammoth new book by @Rumwonk and Carrie Smith. Get yours now at @WonkPress. #thehukilau #thehukilau2023 #tiki #tikievent #tikiweekender #cocktailwonk #rumwonk #rum #rumbook #caribbeanrum
3
5
498
"Rum has no rules" couldn't be more wrong. Chapter 17 of Modern Caribbean Rum is the first-ever systematic look at Caribbean #rum GIs, including: Martinique Guadeloupe Haiti Jamaica Guyana Cuba Dominican Republic Venezuela Costa Rica Panama Guatemala wonkpress.com/products/moder…
2
3
1,358
Did you know that French makes more molasses rum than agricole? Or that France's largest rum maker is virtually unknown? Or that France has 7 different rum geographical indications? Chapter 17 of Modern Caribbean Rum goes behind the scenes of French rum. wonkpress.com/products/moder…
1
2
1
13
1,073
Did you know that the USVI paid for Diageo's St. Croix Captain Morgan distillery? Or that in 2020, distilleries in the USVI and Puerto Rico effectively got a 280-million-dollar excise tax rebate? Chapter 14 of Modern Caribbean Rum has the receipts. wonkpress.com/products/moder…
1
3
223
All four Barbados rum distilleries either own their own cane fields and/or are using cane juice to make rum. My latest Substack post explains why this isn't so surprising. rumwonk.com/p/rum-trends-str…
2
5
223
Soliciting subscriber input for future Rum Wonk topics. rumwonk.com/p/open-season-on…
1
3
191
Chapter 12 of Modern Caribbean Rum takes you behind the scenes of the #rum trade and into E&A Scheer, the oldest supplier of rums to hundreds of brands. You'll also learn about The Main Rum Company, which supplies many independent bottler brands. wonkpress.com/products/moder…
2
4
189
"I would suggest Trader’s Punch (especially the "then pour in three glasses of rum" bit)" The intersection of two of our favorite topics - A 1967 news report of Caroni hosting London's high society at the London Trader Vic's. (RIP)
1
5
380
Chapter 12 of Modern Caribbean Rum goes behind the brand curtain, differentiating original producers from polymorphs, and private label brands from independent bottlers. Ever wonder why most independent bottlers sell continentally aged rum? You'll learn this and much more.
4
229
Rum from Spanish heritage countries are often erroneously maligned. Chapter 11 of Modern Caribbean rum removes these misconceptions, covering the distinction between aguardiente and redistillado, sugarcane honey, non-distilling producers and much more. wonkpress.com/products/moder…
1
3
152
A hotly debated and misunderstood topic among rum enthusiasts. My short treatise on the basic facts of the matter, which may surprise a few folks. rumwonk.com/p/whats-allowed-…
2
6
395