Miami Rum Festival Showcases New Brands On US Market

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is offering locals a taste of new spirits entering the U.S. market.

Organizers say about 26 million cases of rum were sold in the U.S. last year, with sales of premium and spiced rums each growing more than 10 percent.

Rum historically is associated with the Caribbean, and the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association brought several new brands to the U.S. for the first time as part of a program promoting "Authentic Caribbean Rums" that meet specific production standards.

Festival host Robert A. Burr says countries in Asia and Europe also are emerging as premium rum producers. Rums from Denmark, Florida, Barbados, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Martinique will take home top awards from the festival's blind tasting competitions.

The festival ends Sunday.

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