Old N.O. Rum takes home four awards at international tasting

Celebration Distillation announces its Old New Orleans Rum brands have won several medals at the 3rd Annual Polished Palate International Rum Festival. The Tasting Competition, which took place in Ybor City (Tampa), Florida on March 27 and 28, is the first and only such recognized competition for sugar cane-based spirits in the United States. A panel of spirits industry executives judged nearly 150 rums from internationally recognized brands including Mount Gay, Captain Morgan, Montecristo, Ron Barcelo and Tortuga, and proclaimed all flavors of Old New Orleans Rum as winners.

Judged on aroma, appearance, taste, mouthfeel and finish Old New Orleans Crystal Rum took a gold medal in the white rum category. Old New Orleans Amber Rum won a silver in the category of rums aged up to 8 years, Old New Orleans Cajun Spice Rum also achieved a silver medal in the spiced rum category, while the newest addition to the Celebration Distillation brand, Old New Orleans 10-Year Old Rum, won a bronze in the rum aged 9 to 15 years category.
"We are extremely proud that all four of our rums were honored at this year's competition," states James Michalopoulos, founder of Celebration Distillation. "It is a testament that perseverance and the search for excellence reap the best rewards, in this case international recognition for our craft."

Old New Orleans Rum not only impresses the experts in the spirits industry, but it has also made an impact on its home town community. Dozens of restaurants offer Old New Orleans Rum behind the bar, as well as rum inspired dishes on the menu. When locals need a taste of "the spirit of New Orleans" they can visit one of over a hundred local restaurants and bars, from Cochon to Mandina's to Etoile in Covington, from Famous Door to DBA to the Column's Hotel, or stop by just about any grocery store in the city.

Celebration Distillation, the oldest premium rum distillery in the United States, was born in the back streets of New Orleans' 9th ward, and sustained itself through hundreds of trial and errors, false starts and even Katrina to emerge as one of the world's best rum makers. Old New Orleans Rum, built on a reputation for quality, uses the finest ingredients, a unique distillation process and special filtration techniques in small handcrafted batches to create one of the most distinctive rums in the world.

ABOUT THE RUMS:
Old New Orleans Crystal Rum -- A light bodied white rum featuring the balanced flavors of Louisiana sugar cane molasses, vanilla and caramel.

Old New Orleans Amber Rum -- A blend of 3 rums aged up to three years. Medium bodied with hints of vanilla and molasses with deep caramel notes.

Old New Orleans Cajun Spice Rum -- A blend of rums are combined with the kick of cayenne and cinnamon. Hints of nutmeg, ginger and cloves create this truly unique, truly New Orleans flavor.

Old New Orleans 10-Year Old Rum -- Created by master distillers and years of patience, this authentic spirit lives to tell the tale of Hurricane Katrina. Distilled in a unique combination of pot and column still, it is aged unfiltered in hand selected oak barrels. Steeped in the tropical heat of New Orleans, this ten year rum is our artful expression of an authentic southern spirit. An intense rum experience with savory, complex layers of soulful smoothness for the connoisseur's discriminating palate of a true connoisseur.