• 22May

  Mamajuana claims to take spiced rum to a much “spicier” dimension

  Hooch No Comments

  The origin of the name Mama Juana (or mamajuana) comes from the English word Demijohn, which refers to a large squat bottle with a short narrow neck, usually covered in wicker. It is thought to be derived from the French Dame Jeanne (Lady Jane), a term which is also still used to describe this bottle. In the Spanish-speaking countries, Dame Jeanne was transformed into Dama Juana and later, into Mama Juana (Mother Jane). Mamajuana.

  Mamajuana today is better known as a “spiced rum” from the Dominican Republic. There are many recipes but basically it is a concoction of dark rum, red wine, and honey aged with tree bark and specific herbs. Originally theses ingredients were soaked in that little stubby bottle (the Mama Juana).

  The resulting color is deep red and the taste is very close to that of port wine. In many countries where it is legal to make powerful claims about alcohol beverages it is advertised as an aphrodisiac.

  Many native Dominicans claim it has similar effects to Viagra. Women have also claimed that it enhances sexual desire… WOW…but legally we can’t make any of these claims here in the US! That might be a good thing… don’t we already have enough of those irritating ads running all the time?

  So, for all you herbalists out there… Basically, Mama Juana is a combination of tree bark and herbs left to soak (age) in rum… mostly dark rum is used but white rum is used quite often too. Then honey is added and of course red wine. The local leaves, sticks and roots used vary from region to region but here is a list of the most frequently used:

  Anamu (Petiveri alliacea),   Anis Estrellado (Illicium verum)
  

  Bohuco Pega Palo (Cissus verticillata),   Albahaca (Ocimim basilicum)

  Canelia (Cinnamodendron ekmanii),   Bojucco Caro (Princess Vine)

  Marabeli (Securidaca virgata),   Clavo Dulce (Whole clove)

  Maguey (Agave spp.) leaves,   Timacle (Chiococca alba)

  Precise recipes for mixing these ingredients vary greatly and following the recipes is said to be quite an art. Not to worry… there is an authentic version of Mama Juana available in the US right now. HISPANIOLA MAMAJUANA, 60 proof from The Dominican Republic. This original Dominican herbal rum liqueur with mythical power is the true taste of Dominican lifestyle. It can be shipped to all 50 States.

  Click here for more information.

  The “Captain” suggests that drinking his spiced rum makes you pose your leg in a certain peculiar way… Hispaniola Mamajuana vaguely suggests that drinking its Mamajuana will make any extremity-of-your-choice pose in any way you want. Now which would you rather want to do??? Please pose responsibly.

  Tags: aphrodisiac, Authentic Mamajuana, Captain Morgan, Dama Juana, dark rum, Dominican herbal rum liqueur, Dominican lifestyle, Dominican Republic, drinking spiced rum, Mama Juana, Mamajuana, Original Mamajuana, red wine, spiced rum, The Captain, tree bark specific herbs, Viagra, white rum

• 20May

  Is the Brand Name of the Beverage important to you?

  Hooch, Industry Stats No Comments

  Most of my adult life was spent marketing Alcohol Beverages…building Brands and most importantly getting them into distribution. So I was excited to read the other day that American producers of Alcohol Beverages, in particular distilled spirit producers, are credited by many for creating the term Brand Name.

  Early American Distillers and Brewers branded their Names and Logos onto the Barrels and kegs before shipping them to market. They did this because they wanted to get the consumers to know whose product they were drinking. Also in many cases they did this simply to get their barrels and kegs back.

  Abraham Lincoln is credited by many to have been the one to coin the moniker “Brand”. The story goes: when President Lincoln was informed that General Grant drank whiskey while leading his troop, President Lincoln was reported to have replied: “Find out the name of the Brand so I can give it to my other Generals”. He was talking about what name was burned onto the barrel, thus apparently assuming that the particular Brand made the difference and not just the drinking.

  Today a Brand is much more an emotional relationship between a consumer and the product or service… it is a promise of earned trust. A Brand Name is a major motivator to many savvy consumers whether to buy or not buy the product. I love the idea that it all could have started with an adult beverage.

  Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Add new tag, American Brewers, American Distillers, Barrel, Brand, Brand Name, Brewers, distilled spirits, emotional relationship, General Grant, Keg, President Lincoln, whiskey, whiskey brands

• 07Feb

  Still the favorite after all these years… Vodka of course

  Hooch, Industry Stats No Comments

  Vodka remains America’s most consumed Distilled Spirit according to the latest data published by DISCUS. This data comes much to the disdain of the “whiskey snobs”… yes, there a plenty of whiskey snobs… the wine industry does not own the category of elitist.

  The disdain for Vodka by this cocktail elite is based on their belief that Vodka lacks aromatics and taste. Yet, Vodka remains the most consumed distilled spirit in America, with 28% of total spirit sales by volume in 2008.

  True that Vodka is quick and easy to produce since it requires no aging. Also true that it is the most cluttered spirit category of all. Consumers ask for many types of Vodka by Brand. Many others choose Vodka based on the ingredients used to distill it. Many more are totally influenced by the number of times it is filtered. Others still swear by the water used in distilling Vodka. Then again it blends and mixes with just about everything… so it could be the most versatile spirit…ever.

  In any case, the Vodka producers have done a great job developing character around their products. This transfers to a multitude of adult imbibers who transfer this “character” to themselves and use it as a “doppelganger” persona. For that reason Vodka has a great future for generations to come.

  In the words of Ken Brand, Importer of Szambelan Premium Polish Vodka, “Vodka always starts a party.”

  Tags: cocktail elitists, consumers love Vodka, filtering Vodka, mix with Vodka, most versatile beverage, Vodka, Vodka Brands, water used to distill Vodka, whiskey snobs

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