Rum and Me – we had a bad time together on Spring Break in Cancun, Mexico many years ago. So I’ve avoided rum in its various forms and flavors around the world for decades.  Even the pina colada was off limits which was a shame because it’s a tasty rum drink on the beach or in the city on a hot day.  So rum was off limits until I put on my big girl pants to suck it up and get over my college years which are (sadly) a memory in the rear view mirror of life.  It was visiting Cotton & Reed Rum Bar & Distillery in Washington, D.C. that got me back in the friend zone with Rum.  Unlike the rum of my youth, they are producing artisanal small batch rums in a few flavors and through a visit of the distillery with a tasting did they reintroduce me to rum and the iconic Pina Colada.

Located along the warehouses and across from Union Market in Washington, D.C., Cotton & Reed have brought rum into the forefront with their bespoke distillery and tasting room.  Think farm to table but with rum. They are open and applying safety protocols.  Now is the time to support small businesses if you can.

Note: My tour was pre-covid.  Please consult the Cotton & Reed website to see their hours and what, if any, tours are available. If no tour is available, then stock up on rum for your fall drinks.

Our blog group was in town for the whirlwind weekend in D.C. which included a jam packed D.C art itinerary that, of course, had us running late but no one wanted to skip the rum tastings. As we approached their outpost, there is a window serving Pina coladas in case you can’t find a seat inside the small bar which has high top table, bar seats and a counter to stand and enjoy drinks with friends.  The menu says it all “no beer, no wine….only rum”.

 

Cotton & Reed Rum Tour & Tasting in D.C.

We wandered to the back of the house where the Saturday tour & tasting would take place in front of the large vats where the rum is created. The Cotton & Reed rum tour and tasting is held at various times on the weekend in the back room.  Set up on the table were shots of water, sugar water (yuck!) and three flavors of rum (White, Dry Spice and All Spice Dram). One of the owners told us the story of the brand, their awards and how their rums are found in prestigious bars throughout the city of D.C.  As if working for NASA wasn’t cool enough, they left their jobs there to create rum!  That’s a true passion!

Now for someone who had a bad beginning with rum, the straight shots were a bit tough for me to handle right after lunch, however, hearing about how the flavors were created and what I should be tasting, it was close to a wine tasting just much stronger.  Our group was quite receptive to learn more, share shots not taken and take photos along the way.

Bottles of Cotton & Reed Rum are sold on-site and at a few locations in D.C. The special release flavors are limited and sold on site.   They are open Wednesday – Sunday and available to host tours with tastings and events.  Tours (30 minutes) are held on Saturday at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm and the price ($22 subject to change) includes the tasting flight, distillery tour, ingredients tastings and a cocktail from the bar.  Must be 21 to sign up for the tour & tasting.

Rum Bar D.C. – Pina Colada

Once the tasting was done, we reentered the bar area which was crowded for a sunny summer Saturday afternoon.  We shared Pina coladas as we all sang verses of the Pina Colada song (really who doesn’t have this in their head…..”If you like Pina coladas and getting caught in the rain…..: by Rupert Holmes).  As kids, it was a catchy song, as an adult I now know it was about more than pina coladas.  The Cotton & Reed rum is, to me, quite strong.  It might just be that I’ve been drinking wine too long and rarely drink liquor, but that said, make sure you take an Uber or Lyft back to your hotel.

Rum Volunteers at the Distillery

They also have bottling parties for VOLUNTEERS which sounds dangerous – how much will really make it into the bottle?  How straight will those labels be (look at the photos and you’ll see a few folks are a bit misaligned)?  And who gets the shrink wrapping machine?  I’m guessing there’s no drinking on the job until all the work is done.   Sounds like a fantastic volunteer event to help the small business continue hand producing the small batches of high quality artisan rum in D.C.

Final Thoughts – Cotton & Reed Rum

After visiting Cotton & Reed Rum Distillery in Washington, D.C., I have a new found appreciation for rum again. Likewise, I was quite impressed with the passion to produce such a high quality liquor.  So many more folks are going local with craft beers, whiskey and gin that I would recommend you support these local businesses in your area and when you travel.  Its a wonderful way to get a (literal) taste of the city.  So now I can go back to the beach and order my pina colada in pineapple with the little umbrella or order a fancy rum cocktail in the swanky (posh) craft cocktail bars in the city.