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The Harbour Village resort in Bonaire.
News

American Airlines Joins Bonaire Rum Week

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - March 21, 2022

The Caribbean’s most exciting new rum festival has added a new partner: American Airlines.

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, which operates nonstop service from Miami to Bonaire, is a new partner to the weeklong Dutch Caribbean rum festival.

“We’re so excited to have American Airlines on board for Bonaire Rum Week 2022,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal, which is organizing Bonaire Rum Week in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “This event will show the world an exciting side of Bonaire, highlighting the tremendous gastronomic energy on the island.”

The inaugural Bonaire Rum Week is set for June 14-17, with a series of events across the island, from an opening party at the renowned Rum Runners to a final rum culinary pairing dinner at the world-famous Brass Boer restaurant.

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The Delfins Beach Resort in Bonaire.

“Since starting our operation in Bonaire in 2018, we have continued to strengthen our local presence, now during high season operating daily service from our Miami hub,” said Marvin Alvarez, American’s Regional Sales Manager for the Caribbean, U.S. Latin and Guyana. “American is proud of its commitment to the Caribbean of more than 50 years with service 35 destinations in the region and counting.”

The festival will kick off with an opening celebration, followed by an island-wide cocktail competition at the island’s premier cocktail bar, Tiki & Co, featuring Bonaire’s top bartenders; a rum-infused lunch; a spiced rum Happy Hour; a multi-course rum-pairing culinary experience followed by a rum-and-cigar pairing event.

“We are beyond excited to welcome one of our most important airline partners American Airlines to the First annual Bonaire Rum Week,” said Miles Mercera, CEO of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “This will open up great opportunities for travelers to experience our beautiful island. Collaboration and partnership is what the rum week is all about.”

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Eric Gietman, CEO of the Cadushy Distillery.

Bonaire has a thriving cocktail culture, from signature rum punches to microbreweries and beach bars.

“This event is a great way to showcase another side of Bonaire, as one of the Caribbean’s foremost destinations for foodies and spirits lovers alike,” said Guy Britton, managing editor and EVP of Caribbean Journal.

The island is also home to the Cadushy Distillery, which makes Rom Rincon, Bonaire’s sought-after, award-winning and locally-made rum, which is the event’s Host Rum.

Bonaire Rum Week is set for June 14-17, with a full slate of events that give travelers and locals the chance to sample some of the Caribbean region’s top rums and indulge in Bonaire’s culinary culture. 

The event kicks off with an opening party by Rum Papiamento at Rum Runners; that’s followed on June 15 by a rum-on-the-beach tasting at the Plaza Beach Resort and a cocktail competition at Tiki & Co.

June 16 features a rum lunch prepared by the Harbour Village Beach Club’s talented Chef Britt Thomassen, followed by a Happy Hour at Buddy Dive by the celebrated Clifton Estate Rum from Nevis. 

On the morning of June 17 at the Delfins Beach Resort, there’s a rum tasting seminar for local bartenders.

In the afternoon, there’s a Rum Happy Hour in The Gardens at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, presented by Rom Rincon, 5-7 PM.

And then there’s the party piece: a final Bonaire Rum Week dinner at the Brass Boer, the Caribbean outpost of the three-Michelin-star culinary team of Johnny and Therese Boer, followed by Papa’s Pilar’s rum-and-cigar pairing evening at the Delfins Beach Resort.

The festival’s host rum is Bonaire’s Rom Rincon.

Caradonna Adventures is the official travel partner for Bonaire Rum Week (you can find more on packages here).

For the Harbour Village Rum Lunch, contact reservations@harbourvillage.com

Participating rums include: Papa’s Pilar; Papiamento Rum; Gosling’s Rum; Don Q; Ron Barcelo; Clifton Estate; Rom Tambu; Havana Club; Dutch Head Rum; Ron Carupano; Ron Brugal; Siesta Key; San Juan Artisan Distillers and Spirit of Bonaire.

Bonaire Rum Week Partners include Tourism Corporation Bonaire; Caradonna Adventures; Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire; Captain Don’s Habitat; Buddy Dive Bonaire; Harbour Village Beach Club; Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire; Bellafonte Bonaire; Bamboo Bonaire; Divi Flamingo Beach Resort; Bonaire Tours & Vacations; Tiki & Co; Cadushy Distillery; JC Herrera; Bottles Bonaire; The Wine Factory Bonaire; Bonaire Tobacco & Liquor; Best Cellars and Best Brands Bonaire.

For the most up to date information, schedule, events and partners about Bonaire Rum Week, visit www.bonairerumweek.com

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