This podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more about rum—both for mixing as well as sipping. Mr. Upthegrove is straightforward, humble (almost to a fault), and well-versed in all things rum and Tiki. He drills in the basics of tropical drink-making (fresh citrus only!), but also covers the finer points, such as the differences between El Dorado 5, 8, 12, 15, and 21. Each episode usually covers a style of rum, a standout in that style, a cocktail featuring that rum, and perhaps one extra ingredient of the cocktail, and how to procure or make it. The show notes, available on the website, are very thorough, demonstrating that this guy goes the extra mile for his listeners :). And now that the podcast has been around for a while, it serves as a great reference point for anyone seeking information on a specific stylle or brand of rum. I've enjoyed going through the edisodes in order, sampling along with Kevin if I have the same rums or cocktail ingredients. My only complaints are very minor ones. Mr. Upthegrove occasionally miscommunicates the ages of certain rums, usually due to a misunderstanding of labels (Appleton V/X) and regulations (eg interpreting average age as minimum age); age statements are super confusing, and rum companies are usually little help, but a little extra research couldn't hurt. He also struggles with pronunciation of French and Spanish rum vocabulary (again, no biggie). And in general, it often takes him some time to make a point. I have no problem with the length of the podcast, but do feel the presentation could be tighter. All in all, this podcast is highly recommended, and I hope to run into Mr. Upthegrove someday! Thanks for all your hard work.

5 Minutes of Rum was my crash course as a tiki enthusiast and amateur mixologist Listening to Kevin is like discussing rum and cocktails with a buddy; talking about rum types, substitutions, recipes, etc… without going to the expense of trying rum, one at a time.

Mr. Upthegrove is a man of few words, he appears to speak from the heart about the wonderful spirit known as rum, his podcasts are on point and will leave you wanting more. To paraphrase an ad campaign from the past, “try to listen to just one.” If you want to learn more about rums, tiki, and a fair dose of cocktail history, you will not be disappointed!

Really enjoy this podcast. Unpretentious. Informative. Just what I’m looking for.

New to Rum. Really great format with great details about Rums and of course great Rum recipes to try. Keep it going. Update: It’s been about a year that I binged listen to every one of these episodes. So happy some new episodes are coming out. Started over on episode one today. Enjoying a Noa Noa tonight while sitting by the fire. Thanks.

Perfect combination of unpretentious reviews, history, general cocktail info, and recipes! Let Kevin do all the hard work in reading blogs, books, and wading through the plethora of recipes and variations of recipes Perfect length to consume and the straightforward tasting notes don’t make me feel like I’m unable to enjoy the rum if I can’t always taste second, third, or fourth notes (I’m looking at you, tree bark) I joined 86 episodes late, but I’ve already enjoyed 10 episodes and 10 new cocktails! I hope your bar has some space because you’ll be filling it with new liquors by the end of the week :)

I appreciate the information about the distillers, blenders, and regions, but my one criticism is that too much time is spent on cocktail recipes, even for brands and blends that most people would consider “sipping rums.” It might be better to cover cocktails holistically in their own series of episodes. I want to know what the spirit tastes like, not how to mix it into gimmicky Tiki bar offerings.

Entertaining and I've learned quite a bit about rum. The recipes are alwyas worth a try and overall this podcast has really upped my tiki game. The only downside is the money I've spent on rums mentioned in the podcast!

I started listening to this podcast a few months back to learn about different rums I’ve started to collect. It’s low key but very enjoyable. I’ve listened to maybe 15-20 episodes so far and I like how Kevin (the host) focuses on one brand or type of rum, discusses the attributes, history, flavor and uses along with providing a recipe to sample. It’s long enough to listen to an episode easily or I’ll binge a few at a time. I’ve learned a lot and have a good time too. Keep up the good work.

As a new rum connoisseur I have throughly enjoyed listening to Kevin's comments about rum, history and the location distinction of each rum. I've found his style clear and helpful, but it's not a long drawn out podcast, I appreciate the brevity. He does a great job of describing the rum without coming off elitist. The links and show notes are a big help to a new rum drinking and Tiki explorer. Since finding the post casts about month ago I've been slowing working my way back in time, though I wonder if I should have gone the other direction. Keep up the great work!

Kevin les his stuff and puts it in a simple way for people to understand it. Great podcast.

Being new to Rum I have found this podcast to be very educational and entertaining. He provides notes for those that want to learn more. I encourage anyone who likes rum; history, cocktails, current events, etc., to subscribe, you will get something out of this.

If you’re interested in rum or tiki cocktails, then this podcast is a must. It’s also a great resource to browse before heading out to the liquor store. Okole maluna!

I love the in depth recipies. I have started making my own syrups from kevins suggestions. Thanks for the entertainment and sharing of the knowledge! Mahalo! from the Waimea Wannabe Lounge!

Kevin's podcast is extremely helpful to anyone wanting to explore the expansive universe of craft cocktails and rum. This program is also useful to narrow down rum choices and learn rum and exotic cocktail history.

Just Discovered this Podcast and I love it!! I have downlaoded all the Podcast and doing a Binge Listening. I highly recommend this site to people who have an interest in Rum.

Informative and easily approachable podcast about rum, full of interesting history and delightful cocktail recipes.

Excellent shows with a nod to quality without being overly judgy.

Love the podcast. Has been a huge resource as I try to build my rum collection. Also provides some good cocktail recipes. Very informative.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this podcast from the beginning. I have blown throught the first few episodes and have been trying to catch up. My rum collection has grown exponentially, as have my home bartending skills. Punches, flips, making my own falernum... Thank you, Kevin, for your passion and dedication to the craft. If you love rum, mixology, or tiki culture, click that little "subscribe" button. And now, I'm going to go and get some rum.

I love this podcast. Kevin takes a complex topic and breaks it down in an approachable and enjoyable way. If you love Rum you should listen to this podcast

Kevin has crafted a great podcast by taking an everyman approach to rum. The information and insight he provides is entertaining and easy to digest without coming off as snobby. I've tried a handful of the cocktail recipes from the show and they've all been quite good. I also like the 15-20 run time for each episode, it made it easy for me to binge 60+episodes in just a couple of weeks.

Love the format. I can usually listen to a couple episodes with minimal free time. Tons of info. I'm building up a shopping list very quickly.

As a relative newcomer to the Tiki and exotic cocktails world, this podcast is tremendous! Very informative and interesting. Kevin Upthegrove provides a systematic breakdown of each rum (or ron, or rhum, as he explained in the first couple of episodes), describing the appearance, aromas, flavors and finish, talks about the materials and distillation process, and provides at least one recipe, along with side-notes on the product's history and its part in Tiki and/or world history. It's all faxcinating, and all done without eqo or affectation, which is kind of refreshing ! This is pretty much the only podcast that I listen to (and I listen to many of them) that I routinely listen to two or more times sequentially, to make sure I've picked up all the good information being laid down.

I started drinking pretty late in life (30) and jumped from no alcohol to an interest in classic margaritas. I spent 5 or 6 months learning how to do that correctly and instantly moved over into tiki cocktails. Once I started building my rum stock I realized I needed to learn more about all these different types of rum and this podcast has been one of the biggest assets in that regard. This is a well sourced and executed podcast about rum and tiki style cocktails. It covers other liqueurs and syrups often used in those cocktails, as well. It is highly informative and I look forward to the new episode every month. Thanks, Kevin! Keep up the good work!

Super informative, with hints of humor and spot on tastes and info.

I've been listening to this podcast for a good while now and absolutely love it. The episodes are very educational and a great listen for the home and professional (tiki) bartender. I think it's about time to publish a recipe book...

Thanks Kevin for all the education. This podcast has me hooked! I felt for Tiki over the last 8 years while I was living in Oakland; if you make a trip there please visit Pirate (bartender) at Longitude (Suzanne Long's bar); my favorite! I recently moved down to Los Angeles for work (with Blue Bottle), so a big thanks for all the local recommendations. I will keep listening!

Kevin's podcast has provided me more information on rum and tiki cocktails than...anything. I look forward to each new show and more knowledge of rum and rum based cocktails. I can, without hesitation, say that this is one of the best podcasts on cocktails available. Check it out.

If you have any interest in rum or tiki drinks, this is a fantastic podcast! I find every episode to be very interesting, and I learn a tremendous amount. Kevin really inspires me to step up my drink making. I want to try every one of the recipes he showcases. My only question, should I use fresh lime juice in my drinks?

Kevin is great and introducing runs and giving character to a very diverse drink. Rum is a spirit that is generally thought to be at the bottom of the barrel; listen and you'll find out about this deep, layered Rum Barrel. Buy fresh limes.

Kevin presents thorough and accurate information in every episode. I appreciate the consistency of format when he is reviewing a rum and while he often says he is no expert spirits-taster, I feel he does an excellent job of describing the spirit. I find his tasting notes far more helpful than one that lists obscure aromas and tastes that the average person will never discover. He brings in historical information regarding tiki drinks and culture that make the drink exciting beyond what’s in the glass. I look forward to each new episode. Subscribe today!

Very informative resource with a great blend of history and recipes.

This is a great resource if you are looking to learn about rum and/or tiki drinks. The show usually reviews/discusses one rum, leads into a mixer or cocktail ingredient and ends with a recipe combining the show's featured rum and secondary ingredient. He really knows his stuff and is absolutely worth listening to. I can not recommend this podcast enough if you have even the slightest interest in rum and tiki drinks.

Very fun and informative show. It's a perfect 15 minute 5 minutes of rum.

Not overbearing or overly technical. Not snobby or snooty. Basic information on the product with good supporting information, tasting notes, and drink recipes. Well-maintained site/blog/show notes are a big plus. Rum, don’t walk, to download this podcast!

This podcast is amazing. I listen to many podcast about cocktails and liquors, and this one is the best of all. Kevin is extremely knowledgable about the different rums featured, their history, and the drinks mixed and their history. Also, the episodes are presented in a way that each one builds upon knowledge from a previous episode, which makes it very educational. If you are new to rums and mixing, start with the first episode, and listen to all of them, and very quickly you will feel like you know all the basic categories of rums and how to use them. If you know your way around rum, you can listen to them out of order. The format of the show is solid and professional. No filler, all quality. Each episode is divided into sections with images to illustrate the bottle of rum and the drink, with the occasional map. I wish more podcasts did this. This podcast took me beyond my comfort zone in rums and drinks into new directions, which is exactly what I look for in podcasts in this genre. This is my first review in iTunes, but I love this podcast so much I felt like I had to come and give it a thumb’s up. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone interested in mixing alcoholic drinks at home.

Great podcast for anyone interested in learning about rum. Kevin will talk about the history, the making, and the taste of all the rums he reviews and will later make a cocktail using the reviewed rum. He even talks about what tools work best for mixing a great cocktail. Very helpful for a person like me who is new to rum and mixing rum cocktails. Keep the episodes coming.

Kevin's podcast provides details on rum history, cultural significance, manufacture, taste, and most importantly, the use in cocktails. Links and pictures are provided to let the listener further their own research. This is a great show that provides a wealth of informtion for the rum and Tiki culture enthusiest. Highly recommended.

I found ep 25 on Plantation 3 the best episode yet for information (and a bit of history) and the Admiral Grog is a very tasty drink Thx

Kevin is an excellent host as he guides you through his rum experience by giving you a brief understanding of the origin of the rums he is headlines in the episode and then giving you a cocktail recipe to use with said rum. I really enjoy his approach and style. Yes, the episodes go rather quickly, but that is not really a bad thing. It takes a lot of time to organize a podcast, and if that means it allows him to continue to add more future episodes, I'll be listening. Thanks Kevin and keep up the great work!

I’ve been hoping for a podcast like this, Kevin is fantastic. I love the format, and the length of the shows. Very educational.

Love this podcast. Great info and I learn a lot about rum. If you are into rum and/or tiki drinks you need to subscribe now.

This podcast is a 'must listen' for anyone interested in rum. In each episode, Kevin (the host) provides a fairly succinct introduction, history, taste profile, and set of recommended uses for each unique rum. There's no fluff or filler here; he gets right to the subject at hand and keeps it interesting. Each episode also includes a recipe (using the featured rum) with brand-specific ingredient recommendations (which is a HUGE help in making better cocktails). If you want to quickly & entertainingly expand your knowledge of rum, '5 Minutes of Rum' is a great way to do it! Chances are, it will also improve your cocktail making skills several times over.

This is like a Rum 101 class! I love the large amount of clearly stated information given in a short amount of time. I am also thankful Kevin doesn't talk down to the audience, but welcomes everyone into the Temple of Rum. Keep it up!

Really good info in a short podcast. My only complaint is that it is too short. Each one leaves me wanting to run to the store to pick up the type of rum Kevin was talking about. Straight forward and entertaining. Glad to hear a person from the tiki community talking about rum and rum cocktails.

This guy knows his stuff. Very well researched and the delicious cocktail recipe he includes in each episode makes you want to get to mixing.