A local man has launched premium spirits brand, House of Rum, after spending the last three decades immersed in Caribbean culture.
David Howarth’s time spent travelling and working around the Caribbean has been used to hone a collection of unique, limited-edition rums inspired by the regional blends found across the islands.
David says he first fell in love with the region when he was just 22 years old, when a trip to Antigua prompted him to change his career and move across the world.
The Manchester-born businessman was ‘forever moved’ by his first island experience, which he spent ‘enjoying a rum punch, listening to steel drums being played to the backdrop of Shirley Heights’.
House of Rum’s range of unique, limited-edition rums. Credit: Supplied
He’s spent the last three decades soaking up the islands’ culture and discovering the differences in rum blends, which are influenced by the land surrounding each distillery – whether that’s the shores of Jamaica or the coastal hillsides of Barbados.
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House of Rum was created to ‘celebrate these undiscovered, rare regional intricacies, provide a platform for them, through the creation of sought after, specially selected aged and blended rums’.
All of the rums in the collection are small-batch releases, with the Diablo series presented in luxurious Wibalin Buckram Black window boxes.
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House of Rum’s Spiced Millionaire cocktail. Credit: Supplied
Using some of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean, the range includes the award-winning Diablo Aged White Rum (filtered through charcoal, with notes of liquorice, peppermint and banana) at £69 per 70cl bottle.
House of Rum also boasts the Diablo Spiced Rum (with flavours of golden syrup, ginger, cloves and nutmeg) and the Diablo Aged Rum (featuring notes of red fruits and a touch of burnt sugar).
Its most premium product is its XO Reserve Single Cask, an incredibly rare rum matured for 11 years before being shipped to the UK.
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It’s distilled from molasses in a continuous column and there are only 140 bottles in existence, priced at £750 per bottle.
Hemmingway Daiquiri
Black Cherry Cobbler
House of Rum cocktails – recipes below. Credit: Supplied
The XO Reserve, which won a Silver Award at the Rum and Cachaca Masters 2022 and the IWSC 2022, is served in a bottle embellished with a die-cast metal badge, and sold alongside two House of Rum and Cumbria Crystal hand-blown tumblers.
House of Rum has created some delicious cocktail recipes to complement its unique premium rum range.
There’s the Hemingway Daiquiri (40ml Diablo Aged White Rum, 15ml Maraschino liqueur, 25ml grapefruit juice, 15ml lime juice, shaken and double-strained into a coupe glass with a grapefruit twist) and the Black Cherry Cobbler (35ml Diablo Aged Rum, 20ml Amontillado Sherry, 20ml Black cherry syrup, 20ml lemon juice, served in a wine goblet with a lime wedge and cherry).
Spiced rum fans will also love the Spiced Millionaire, which sees 40ml Diablo Spiced Rum, 15ml Cointreau, 2.5ml Absinthe, 10ml pomegranate syrup and 20ml lime juice served in a rocks glass with lemon zest and a cherry.
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You can find out more and browse the House of Rum collection at www.house-of-rum.com.
Featured image: Supplied
Food & Drink
The Liquor Store is putting together the perfect package for Oasis fans heading to Heaton Park
Danny Jones
Manchester bar The Liquor Store is putting together the ultimate pre and post-gig package ahead of the Live ’25 Oasis reunion shows, perfect for anyone heading to Heaton Park for the momentous series of shows.
The brilliant Manc boozer, which borders Blackfriars Street and the edge of Deansgate, has been a popular spot both before and after nearby concerts for years, so it’s no surprise that they’re getting involved with the shows of the century.
With Oasis set to play a whopping five nights at Heaton Park this summer, people are already trying to figure out their plans for the big day(s), with fans flocking from all over the country to see them wherever they could manage to get tickets, especially at this massive outdoor show.
Good job the Liquor lads and ladies have you sorted.
Set to run ‘The Masterplan’ service (very good) for each of Oasis‘ huge hometown shows throughout July, The Liquor Store are making sure gig-goers get to the venue without any trouble and get plenty of time to get in the mood beforehand.
As well as a good old party afterwards, of course.
Offering a comprehensive concert package, complete with coach travel to Heaton Park, not to mention bottomless beer and pizza from 2-3pm when you’re in the bar itself, this music-obsessed bar is set to be the perfect place to fuel and carry on the Britpop party afterwards.
Littered with music memorabilia and images of local bands like the Burnage boys themselves, plus an absolutely unreal playlist of Oasis classics all day and all night, it’s the ideal setting to get you in the mood for the day.
There’ll also be a DJ set from much-loved local Jon Lowe from midday onwards. Oh yeah, and complimentary bucket hats and tambourines for wristband holders should help the good vibes along too.
Better still, even for those not buying ‘The Masterplan’ ticket – which includes the bus to the location and as much suds and scran as you can muster – entry to the venue for the before and after-parties is completely free. After all, it’s still a popular city centre watering hole whether Oasis are in town or not.
As for the coach, the service will depart at 4:30pm and is set to leave Heaton Park around 11:15pm, heading straight back to The Liquor Store, of course.
Ticket holders will be issued with a wristband that will allow them entry onto the coach and access to the bottomless scran and bevs. If you’re not on that bus 10 minutes before they set off, you will be left behind, unfortunately.
With that in mind, tickets are very limited, with less than 50 spots to secure, so if you want to be a part of the ultimate pre-drinks and post-gig party, you’d better act fast.
You can grab yours and find out the full terms and conditions HERE.
Popular chocolate cafe announces shock closure in yet another blow for Ancoats
Daisy Jackson
Ancoats has lost another great independent – chocolate cafe Cocoa Cabana has announced it’s taken the ‘difficult decision’ to shut down in the trendy neighbourhood.
The popular spot, famed for its chocolate-laden afternoon teas, Dubai pistachio bars, and smores platters (to name a few), said that it has become ‘unsustainable’ to continue operating in Ancoats.
Cocoa Cabana said that’s it’s been faced with a 200% increase the cost of chocolate, along with increases in the prices of ingredients, wages, and business rates.
And so they’re taking the decision to ‘downsize and refocus’ after ‘incredibly challenging years’.
Their West Didsbury site will remain open, as will their online store and their Selfridges Trafford Centre concession where you can buy their artisan chocolate products.
Founder Sarah said: “On a personal note, after 12 years of running Cocoa Cabana, this decision comes with a lot of emotion – but also hope.
“I’m looking forward to the chance to focus on our chocolate, new opportunities and maybe even take a little time to spend with family and friends.
“Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported us in Ancoats. You’ve made this journey incredibly special.”
Pistachio Dubai bars at Cocoa CabanaChocolate fondue at Cocoa Cabana in AncoatsThe cafe in Ancoats was famed for its viral, indulgent sweet treats
Taking its place will be Spanish restaurant Can Petit, which has already been operating as an evening pop-up in the space.
The closure of Cocoa Cabana follows a difficult run for the neighbourhood, which has lost the likes of Sugo Pasta Kitchen (then Rigatoni’s), Hip Hop Chip Shop, and Trove in the last year.
Thankfully there are still some great new businesses moving in, such as Bruco, Ancoats Deli, and Bangkok Diners Club.
You can read the full statement on the closure of Cocoa Cabana Ancoats below
It’s with a heavy heart that we’re announcing the closure of our Ancoats venue, with our final day of service on Sunday 8th June.
We opened our doors in 2019 with big dreams and so much excitement, creating a beautiful space we were truly proud of. Sadly, just six months later, we were forced to close during Covid. Like many in hospitality, the years that followed have been incredibly challenging.
Despite our best efforts, the rising costs of ingredients, wages, business rates – and a 200% increase in the cost of chocolate – have made it unsustainable for us to continue operating in Ancoats. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to downsize and refocus.
We’ve loved being part of the vibrant Ancoats food scene and while we’re sad to say goodbye, we’re genuinely thrilled to be handing over the reins to @canpetit_ – a fantastic Spanish tapas venture that’s already been making waves as an evening pop-up in our space. Led by the incredibly talented chefs David and Jorge, we know they’ll continue to bring something special to the neighbourhood.
Our West Didsbury site remains open as usual (where all gift vouchers remain valid) and you can still shop online or visit us at our Trafford Centre concession at Selfridges 7 days a week.
On a personal note, after 12 years of running Cocoa Cabana, this decision comes with a lot of emotion – but also hope. I’m looking forward to the chance to focus on our chocolate, new opportunities and maybe even take a little time to spend with family and friends.
Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported us in Ancoats. You’ve made this journey incredibly special. 💗🙏🏻
Daisy Jackson -
6th April 2022 
