Miami\u2019s got the sun, the sand, and now some handcrafted spirits. A rum aging house just opened up with a double-dose of bar bliss. Barback Alex Miranda has a look at the new spot known for its aged rum and cocktail culture.<\/p>\n
The Little River Distillery has a tasting room, a speakeasy, and sips so smooth you\u2019ll never want to leave.<\/p>\n
Johnny Depp (as Captain Jack Sparrow): \u201cWhy is the rum always gone!\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not gone Captain Jack, it\u2019s right here, lots of it! At the Little River Distillery in Miami.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Rollo: \u201cWe are the first and only distillery in Miami, and we are making premium rum that we are very, very excited about, and we really just wanna be known as Miami\u2019s rum.\u201d<\/p>\n
They\u2019re off to a good start. This 22,000-square-foot facility has an aging house, a lab, and two bars.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Rollo: \u201cWhen you come in the door, and you have no idea what else is here, and then you stumble upon the distillery itself, with the barrel room, and it\u2019s huge. But then still after that, there\u2019s a really beautiful lounge where we have an incredible bar.\u201d<\/p>\n
The speakeasy is a total vibe with dark wood and mood lighting. Of course, the rum is the star of the show here along with some unique cocktails.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Rollo: \u201cI would say the must-try drink you have to have is the clarified espresso martini. It\u2019s different, it\u2019s unique. We make it with rum, so that\u2019s kind of cool in and of itself. But the way that we clarify it and then distill it creates this robust, really beautiful, smooth texture.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a drink, take a guided tour of the distillery and taste some of the finest rum Miami has to offer.<\/p>\n
Carlos Espasas, founder: \u201cSmell it. It\u2019s gonna have more of a kick to it. Hahaha.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is liquid gold crafted with zero extra sweet stuff.<\/p>\n
Carlos Espasas: \u201cWe also blend; instead of adding sugar, we add no sugar to our rums. So what we do is we finish our rums in French or Spanish oak so all the sweetness comes from that.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all about how the South Florida heat works its magic.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Rollo: \u201cWe have basically similar conditions to the Caribbean. So part of making the rums\u2013 making rums is making sure you have the right atmosphere, the right climate, the right heat.\u201d<\/p>\n
And local rum lovers are already obsessed.<\/p>\n
Guest: \u201cThe rums were delicious, the staff amazing. The location, beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guest: \u201cI think Miami\u2019s always needed a new kind of destination for a place to have a drink. It feels like you\u2019re in your own living room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Come for a tasting, leave with a bottle. Looks like Little River Distillery is already aged to perfection.<\/p>\n
Little River Distillery ages its rum for one, three and eight years in the barrel.<\/p>\n