Cuban cocktail cantinero Luis Salgueiro Viera during one of the masterclasses.

A team of Cuban rum experts recently shared their knowledge with Maltese consumers and bartenders in a series of Havana Club rum masterclasses held in Malta.

Havana Club brand ambassador Damian Dominguez Perez spoke about the origin of Cuban rum, the history and secrets of rum production, and the history of Havana Club as the original rum of Cuba.

Perez was accompanied by Luis Salgueiro Viera, a Cuban cocktail cantinero – a characteristic bartender with years of experience – who demonstrated how to prepare authentic Cuban mojitos as well as other classic Cuban cocktails.

During interactive training sessions, local bartenders were invited behind the bar to learn hands-on techniques from Viera. One of the highlights of the events was a quiz for participants.

The three bartenders with the best results were invited to a five-day global masterclass in Havana, Cuba in May 2014.

A rum-tasting evening was also held at Farsonsdirect in Mrieħel, where clients had the opportunity to appreciate some of the best expressions of Havana Club.

The rum experts’ visit to Malta ended with a dinner party hosted at the Hotel Phoenicia in Floriana, which was attended by select members of the hospitality industry.

Havana Club Rum is imported, marketed and distributed by the Farsons Group.