It’s time to sign up Castaways. The Conched in Key West Charity Bar Crawl is happening September 22nd and we want you there! Join me, Team Cocktail, Rum Connection, BigKahunaBrew and Coastlines & Tan Lines for a bar hopping adventure on the streets of Key West, all while raising money for an amazing charity–Reef Relief.

Date: September 22, 2012
Time: 2pm-? (as long as you can make it!)
Location: Key West, FL – Duval St.
Price: $30 (includes shirt, drink specials & charity donation)
Tickets: www.teamcocktail.com

Click on the Team Cocktail link above to get your tickets.

Last year was a huge success and this year is already shaping up to be bigger and better. It’s true! I’m not just saying that overused cliche to win your hearts! We are going to have a Friday night pre-party with live music, more crawlers joining us, more give-aways and more free drinks!

Key West Express

I’m also working with the Key West Express, the ferry boat that travels from Fort Myers to Key West, to have a little pre-pre-party on the way down. Why? Because getting there is half the fun! I’m working on getting discounts for all crawlers and we’ll probably have our very own drink named after us on the boat. How does the Conched In Key West sound? Flying into Fort Myers is cheaper than flying directly into Key West, so taking the boat down will not only be a great time, but also save you a little money. Leave me a comment below and let me know if you’re interested in taking the boat down.

Join the Bar Crawl Fan Page

Are you on Facebook? I think half the world is now on the social network now. Join the Conched in Key West Bar Crawl fan page so we can give you updates, and get excited about the event together. Click here to join the Bar Crawl Fan Page.

Join us on the southernmost island for a great time and a great cause. Helping protect the reefs is important to all of us island lovers and this is the perfect way to contribute.

Feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to sponsor a bar stop.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

After one sip, you’ll get the urge to merge.

This week’s Boat Drink recipe is called the Cranberry Kiss. I’ll tell you straight up that Cranberry and I have had words. Drinking it makes me quiver and I can’t even look at the stuff come Thanksgiving. So why are we doing a cocktail recipe that has Cranberry in it? Because about 60% of RSR readers are beautiful women and rumor has it that women love Cranberry drinks. I might be stereotyping a little bit, but I see no harm. Just giving the audience what they want, right ladies!

If you’re a guy and are a fan of Cranberry drinks that’s cool. Are you willing to leave a comment below and let us all know you are? Yeah, I wouldn’t admit it either.

The Cranberry Kiss Drink Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1.5oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum (Cruzan 9 works well also)
• 1oz Sour Mix
• 1oz. Club Soda
• 2oz. Cranberry Juice

Mixing Instructions: Add all the ingredients into a highball glass with ice. Stir and garnish with lemon wedge. Raise glass and toast.

Let me know if you mix up the Cranberry Kiss and what you thought of it. If you tell me it’s the greatest drink ever, well then I’ll just have to take your word for it.

Cheers!

RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

The Bahamas, Antigua, Turks & Caicos, Cabo, Margaritaville, Rome and the French Rivera; which of these place doesn’t quite fit? You might think the two European spots seem a little off the reservation here but you’d be wrong. Truth is they are all related. They are all spots where the island lifestyle is being represented by passionate Castaways traveling the world.

In this addition of “Castaways In the Wild” we get to see some amazing shots from all around the world. Just like the the photo above, sent in by Mike and Rebecca Sweeney of Zero To Cruising from a beach on beautiful Antigua. Love it!

Buffett got it right when he said Margaritaville is anywhere you want it to be. The same goes for the island loving, boat drink consuming Castaway. It’s a state of mind you take with you everywhere you go. That’s what the folks below have done. They are living in the “right” state of mind.

Rich L. doing it right in Cabo.

Lorrie D. bringing the island spirit to Rome!

Lorrie D cruising the Med.

Lorrie D. enjoying a cold one in the French Riviera.

Laura S. keeping her Kalik cold on Grand Bahama.

Blue water like that, has to be Turks & Caicos. Thanks Deb K.!

Great shot by Deb K. - looks like it just washed ashore!

Castaway Billy D. is looking for his lost shaker of salt.

Thanks again for all the great photos guys! If you’d like to submit a photo with your Castaway gear, feel free to email me or post them on the RumShopRyan Facebook page. If you don’t have any Castaway gear yet, you need to join this exclusive club. The available items are located at the top right area of this site (below the header). Keep sending in those great photos guys! Here are some more great photos of Castaways in the Wild.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

My favorite song on the new Pirate Sessions album is easily Island State of Mind. Its free flowing lyrics echo days of relaxing with a glass full of the island lifestyle. Rum filled drinks, bikini clad sun kissed beauties and spending time in an island state of mind, isn’t that the goal of every Castaway? This song definitely takes you there.

Key West, a place where it’s nearly impossible not to be in an island state of mind, put on its 17th annual Songwriters Festival a couple weeks ago. Over a hundred artist played on the island, but watching The Pirate Sessions perform on the Fury catamaran was the highlight of the 5 day music binge. At least it was for this self proclaimed scallywag.

The boat filled up, the band set up their equipment and the free beer, margaritas and wine flowed freely. Wouldn’t be much of a pirate party ship if it didn’t right? I picked out a good spot to set up shop and started shooting as the boat began its lazy jaunt out of the marina. What the camera caught was the bands first song, a cover of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds that transitioned into their new Island State Of Mind. Five minutes in and the entire boat could tell this was going to be a kick as time with a rocking band, beautiful views and cold drinks.

Island State Of Mind – The Pirate Sessions

The guys put on a great show the entire night, and Hollywood couldn’t have created a better sunset. As the sky grew dark the music grew loud. People danced, people sang and every soul aboard was most certainly in an…island state of mind.

You can download the new Pirate Sessions album here.

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

Artists have flocked to Key West for decades. I don’t know if it’s something in the water of the southern most island or the free flowing, anything goes vibe. Could be the heat, could be the rum, but something wears down ones inhibitions and forces the creative juices to the surface. Whatever the reason, Key Crazy is a place to let your creative side shine.

By no means do I qualify myself as an artist, and lord knows I can’t sing or play an instrument. But I did spend quite a few hours staggering around Key West shooting pictures, and when you fire off hundreds and hundreds of shots you’re bound to get a couple good ones. Below are a few shots that I tried to be creative with. If you like them feel free to pin them on Pinterest. If you think they suck, tell me. I’ll drink a Corona to get over the pain.

Key West Photos

Ahhh Key West. Even if you’re an analytical straight shooter without a creative bone if you’re body, this island will still find a way to inspire. It’s a special place.

Have a great weekend Castaways!
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival sounds like a big week long party doesn’t it? Well it’s not, it’s a serious competition of rum, judged by highly trained rum XP professionals. Okay, maybe it’s a little bit of a party, but the rum judging is serious and rum companies from around the world fight for the top spots.

The judging results are in and here they are. No drum rolls here–just raise those glass high for the winners. All good choices to add to your rum collection. I’m hitting the store this weekend with this list in tow.

Gold-Best in Class

1 Barrel
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva
Plantation Guatemala Gran Añejo
Plantation Jamaica 2000
Plantation XO 20th Anniversary
Poesia Cachaça
Rhum J.M. White
SantaTeresa Araku
Siesta Key Spiced
Panama Red

Gold Medal Winners

Atlantico Private Cask
Bacardi Oakheart
Botran Reserva
Clarke’s Court Superior
Dictador 20
Diplomatico Ambassador
Diplomatico Añejo
Diplomatico Reserva
Dzama Vanilla Rhum 10yr
Plantation Barbados 2000
Plantation Panama 2000
Rhum J.M. White
Rhum St. Barth
Vizcaya Cristal
Plantation Original Dark Overproof

Silver Medal Winners

Appleton Estate Reserve
Atlantico Reserva
Bacardi 8
Barrillito 3 Star
Blackbeard
Bohemio 15
Botran Solera
Carta Viejo Añejo
Centenario 7
Don Q Añejo
DonQ Pasion
Dos Maderas Luxus
Dzama Cuvee Noire
Flipflop Spiced
Plantation Trinidad 2000
Prichard’s Crystal
Santa Teresa Añejo
Santa Teresa Orange Rhum
Siesta Key
SX Samba Cachaça
Vizcaya Cask 21
Rum Fire

Bronze Medal Winners

10 Cane
Atlantico Platino
Bermudez 1852
Blackwell
Brugal 1888
Brugal Ron Añejo
Dictador 12
Dictador XO Perpetual
DonQ Coco
Dos Maderas PX 5+5
Dzama Blanc Nosy-Be Prestige 84°
Medellin 8
Panamonte
Prichard’s Peach Mango Rum
Siesta Key Gold
Tiki Lover’s White

Do you have any favorites on this list? List your Best of Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze if you can. Will be tough, so many good rums!

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

Down here it’s coconuts and beer
We keep it simple but we don’t really don’t care
It’s a 24/7 right kind of livin’
And Lovin’ our slice of paradise heaven
And that’s how we spend our time
In an island state of mind

You Castaways are going to love this one. The Pirate Sessions II album dropped yesterday and is quickly climbing the iTunes charts. The new album contains 16 songs, the eight original Pirate Sessions songs and eight new Pirate Sessions II songs. The songs…yeah, they’re damn good. I was able to hear most of them last Friday night in Key West. The band set up shop on the front of a catamaran and played their songs as we sailed past Mallory Square and into a spectacular Key West sunset. Couldn’t have been a cooler experience. I’ll write more on that later, but first here are the new songs from Pirate Sessions II.

Pirate Sessions II:

1. Island State Of Mind
2. Coco Cay
3. Pirate Girl
4. See You By The Sea
5. Home Away From Home Town
6. 300 Years Ago
7. Hemingway’s Hideaway
8. Caribbean Crazy

My favorite songs are Island State Of Mind, Pirate Girl and Caribbean Crazy.

I highly recommend the new album. I’m listening to it as I write this–glass of Plantation Rum sitting table side and songs that send your island soul to a relaxed state of mind. It’s the perfect new addition to your “Take Me Away” playlist. The 16 song album is $11.99 and be be bought in iTunes.

Buy Pirate Sessions II Here

I was told about a contest they are having that gives away a trip to St. John. I didn’t see any information in the CD that I got from them but will let you know more when I find out. Something about them flying you down and doing a concert on Cinnamon Bay. Can you say legendary!

Jesse Rice is the lead local and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. He is joined by Brain Kelley, Chase Rice, Tyler Hubbard, Steve Bryant, Mike Durham, Curt Ryle, Mike Severs, Gary Smith and Wanda Vick. If you liked the first album you’re going to fall in love with this one as well. It’s professionally produced and the lyrics have heart and feeling. Nothing is forced or contrived, everything just flows and puts you in that island state of mind. Sort of like the Plantation I’m sipping on. Sweet sweet goodness.

Here are just a few photos from that amazing sunset cruise with Pirate Sessions. Lots more to come!

Cheers to gettin’ a little Caribbean Crazy!

RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit in a bike basket and cruise down Duval Street? Sure you have, wouldn’t be a Castaway if you haven’t. Besides, riding in one of those baskets, legs flailing around, drink in hand, is actually pretty tame for Key West. (Do I legally have to say don’t do this?)

Below is a video of a bike ride down Key West’s Duval Street. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. No I wasn’t sitting in the basket filming with a drag queen peddling the bike, although I’m sure that’s probably happened. (I did ride in a shopping cart up an elevator one time in Key West, but I’ll leave that story for another time.)  This time I was doing the peddling and the handy little GoPro camera was holding on to the bike basket for dear life. Enjoy the trip down Duval!

Bike Tour Down Duval Street, Key West

As you can see the street was pretty calm. This was shot at about 9:30 in the morning. The hungover partiers and daily tourists had yet to rise, it was a contrasting view of a street that normally pulses with life.

Background song is fittingly called, “Key West” by Robert McIntosh.

I’d like to thank Key West Express for sponsoring the trip and Rum Connection for a great bar hopping tour.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

How excited are you for June 19th? If you’re a Kenny Chesney fan you probably wish you could live in fast forward for the next few weeks. Chesney’s new album, Welcome To The Fishbowl, drops on the June 19th and it’s sure to be another blockbuster.

You can pre-order Welcome To The Fishbowl now on KennyChesney.com, but that’s not all. They have put together some really cool pre-order packages. Not only do you have the opportunity to snag Chesney’s new album, but how about a palm tree logo hat, a custom pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses and more. Uh yeah…sign me up.

Welcome To The Fishbowl Package includes:

• Welcome to the Fishbowl” CD or MP3 Digital download
• Costa Del Mar Kenny Chesney Signature Sunglasses
  (Several styles to choose from)
• Kenny Chesney Limited Edition Series Box
• Kenny Chesney Limited Edition Costa Del Mar Baseball Cap
• Kenny Chesney Limited Edition Cleaning Cloth and Case
• Kenny Chesney Limited Edition Keeper

You can pick up this pre-order package for $139.99. The Costa sunglasses are worth more than that price by themselves. Click here to see all the different Welcome To The Fishbowl pre-order package options.

Welcome To The Fishbowl Tracks

1. Come Over
2. Feel Like A Rock Star (Duet With Tim McGraw)
3. Sing ‘Em Good My Friend
4. Welcome To The Fishbowl
5. I’m A Small Town
6. El Cerrito Place
7. Makes Me Wonder
8. While He Still Knows Who I Am
9. Time Flies
10. To Get To You (55th And 3rd)
11. Always Gonna Be You
12. You And Tequila (With Grace Potter) (Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre) (KYCD11)

Let me know if you snap this pre-order package up. I have my eye on that palm tree logo hat and am trying to see if they are going to sell it separately once the album has dropped. I’ll let you know if they break up these items and sell them by themselves.

Cheers to June 19th!

RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest

Today I arrive in Key West via the speedy, boat drink serving, Key West Express. The island is packed with singer songwriters ready to play their songs on the beach, hotels and historic bars of Key West. Problem is there are way to may artists to see. So how do you choose? Many of the performers I’m not very familiar with, so choosing is almost like throwing darts with a blindfold on.

Here is a list of all of the performers. Can you give me some suggestions on what acts are a must see?

2012 Key West Songwriters Festival Performers

• The Jeffrey Steele Band with
  Jeffrey Steele, Steve Cirkvencic,
  Tom Hambridge & Tom McDonald
• The World Famous Headliners with
  Al Anderson, Shawn Camp,
  Pat McLaughlin Michael Rhodes
  & Greg Morrow
• Dan Adams
• Arlis Albritton
• Dean Alexander
• Jessi Alexander
• Clayton Anderson
• Cynthia Anderson
• Kelly Archer
• Sherrie Austin
• Joe Bachman
• Rob Baird
• Cary Barlowe
• Phil Barton
• Ryan Beaver
• Matraca Berg
• Jonathan Birchfield
• Brinn Black
• Jeff Black
• Blue Mother Tupelo
• Steve Bogard
• Brothers Osborne
• Richie Brown
• Jay Brunswick
• Johnny Bulford
• Clint Bullard
• Billy Burnette
• Brent Burns
• Brian Callihan
• Chuck Cannon
• Blake Chaffin
• Maggie Chapman
• Cliff Cody
• Phillip Coleman
• Dianna Corcoran
• Jalan Crossland
• Corey Crowder
• Ben Danaher
• Mary Danna
• Dallas Davidson
• Sarah Davidson
• Brian Davis
• Kristin Diable
• Russell Dickerson
• Bob DiPiero
• Dillon Dixon
• Joshua Dorr
• Andrew Duhon
• Josh Dunne
• Lindsay Ell
• Scotty Emerick
• Amanda Flynn
• Blue Foley
• Damon Fowler
• Marti Frederiksen
• Greg Friia
• John Frinzi
• Chris Gantry
• Ashley Gearing
• Granville Automatic
• Catt Gravitt
• Blake Gray
• Angela Hacker
• Jeff Hanna
• Kree Harrison
• Rob Hatch
• Walker Hayes
• Chris Hennessee
• Jared Michael Hobgood
• Elisha Hoffman
• Rebecca Lynn Howard
• Jedd Hughes
• Sydney Hutchko
• Megan James
• Paul Jenkins
• Joey + Rory
• Sarah Johns
• Doug Johnson
• Ken Johnson
• Brett Jones
• Kimberly June
• Morgan Karr
• Robert Earl Keen
• Luke Laird
• Phillip Lammonds
• Dylan LeBlanc
• James LeBlanc
• Jesse Lee
• Hillary Lindsey
• Howard Livingston
• Megan Linville
• LoCash Cowboys
• Misty Loggins
• Love and Theft
• Lauren Lucas
• Jon Mabe
• James Maddock
• Martin McDaniel
• Lori McKenna
• Phoenix Mendoza
• Lance Miller
• Morgan Mills
• Dennis Morgan
• Heather Morgan
• Kacey Musgraves
• Morgan Myles
• Danny Myrick
• Nick Norman
• Paul Overstreet
• Anna Owens
• Charlie Oxford
• Kyle Park
• Aaron Parker
• Caryl Parker
• PARMALEE featuring
  Barry Knox,Josh McSwain,
  Matt Thomas & Scott Thomas
• Melissa Peirce
• Patrice Pike
• Bobby Pinson
• Angeleena Presley
• Suzi Ragsdale
• Will Rambeaux
• Tony Ramey
• Matt Ramsey
• Jon Randall
• Gary Ray
• Reckless Kelly
• Chris Rehm
• Chris Roberts
• Jon Roniger
• Liz Rose
• Susan Ruth
• Kylie Sackley
• Pete Sallis
• Aaron Scherz
• jason Sever
• Emily Shackelton
• James Slater
• Joanna Smith
• Roger Sovine
• Even Stevens
• Shane Stevens
• Matt Stillwell
• Cole Swindell
• The Pernikoff Brothers
• The Pirate Sessions
  Sam Booker, Seth Costner,
  Jesse Rice, Chase Rice,
  Jeremiah Richey & Ross Webb
• Bridgette Tatum
• Todd Taylor
• Tennessee Hollow
• Peter Terry & The City Prophets
• Rachel Thibodeau
• Dave Thomson
• Josh Thompson
• Elsten Torres
• Lisa Torres
• Wynn Varble
• Jesse Stevie Walker
• Doug Waterman
• Wayne Mills Band
• Bruce Wallace
• Storme Warren
• Chad Warrix
• Bobby Weinstein
• Chuck Wicks
• Clair Wyndham
• Billy Yates

See what I mean, so many to see so little time. I’m definitely catching the Pirate Sessions guys on the Fury catamaran sail and want to join the fun with Howard Livingston at the Southernmost Beach Cafe on Thursday night. Other than than that I’m not really sure. Help me out and tell me who I should go see.

Thanks Castaways!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Please Subscribe If You Love The Caribbean!
Subscribe to Daily Updates
Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Twitter.com/RumShopRyan
RumShopRyan YouTube Channel
Pinterest