Some of the most unforgettable travel moments happen around a dining table, where food and culture intertwine. Imagine yourself savoring the aroma of grilled seafood or sipping a unique local rum, all part of a broader experience that reflects the essence of the Caribbean.

At Sandals Resorts, food is seen as a bridge to the Caribbean culture they proudly embody. Over the past 40 years, Sandals has continuously enhanced its dining concepts, focusing on authentic flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Luke Mathot, the vice president of food and beverage product innovation, emphasizes that they aim to offer an experience that captures the vibrant culinary landscape of the region.

Upon arrival at a Sandals resort, food becomes your gateway to a deeper appreciation of the Caribbean. Imagine waking up to the rich scent of fresh Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, or enjoying jerk chicken that bursts with flavor, thanks to local spices. The emphasis on fresh produce reflects Sandals’ commitment to sustainability and supporting local farmers through the Sandals Foundation.

Sandals’ innovative Island Inclusive Dining program invites guests to dine at local, independent restaurants outside the resort, further enriching their culinary journey. For instance, guests staying in Butler Suites for seven nights or more receive a credit to explore local eateries that celebrate the island’s culinary talents.

In Nassau, at the Sandals Royal Bahamian, guests can relish conch prepared by top Bahamian chefs or unwind at local hotspots where cocktails are paired with innovative bites. In Curaçao, the dining experience at Mosa/Caña highlights the fusion of Latin American and Caribbean influences, ensuring every meal tells a story.

For those craving the authentic Jamaican experience, the Jerk Shack at select Sandals properties offers smoky meats grilled over open flames, staying true to the traditional cooking methods rooted in Jamaica’s history.

Another unique option is Buccan at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where family-style dining fosters a sense of community and shared experience, serving a variety of fresh, locally inspired dishes.

At Sandals Dunn’s River, the Rum Club celebrates Jamaica’s rich rum culture, offering carefully crafted cocktails and guided tastings, highlighting the island’s legacy in rum production.

Every meal at Sandals is not just about food but is deeply intertwined with the culture of the Caribbean. From beachfront jerk chicken to explorative dining experiences in local restaurants, Sandals ensures that every bite connects you to the rich stories of the destination.

For more information on Sandals Resorts, visit Sandals.

WILMINGTON, NC — An exciting event unfolded at the ABC Store on Wrightsville Avenue where renowned marine artist Wyland made a special appearance to unveil a vibrant shark mural and launch Blue Shark Vodka, a new lemon and vanilla flavored spirit.

The gathering attracted many fans eager to sample the vodka and secure autographs from Wyland on their purchased bottles. As the artist engaged with the community, he painted a stunning mural of sharks, reflecting his dedication to marine art. Wyland had previously left his mark in Wilmington during a mural tour spanning from Maine to Florida and expressed joy in returning to the area.

"It’s really great to be back in Wilmington, and as an artist, I truly appreciate both the quality of the vodka and the artistry found on the bottle," Wyland remarked during the event.

Additionally, the artist revisited a prior mural he had created and hinted at the possibility of returning for touch-ups, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining the vibrancy of his work. The new mural can be found at the Best Western Plus Coastline Inn located on Nutt Street in Wilmington.

Eight exceptional rums have made it to the finals of the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a renowned event in the spirits industry. These finalists include five rums aged for five years or more and three overproof selections. Here’s a detailed look at their origins and tasting notes.

Aged 5 Years & Older Rum Finalists

Cartavio XO Rum

• ABV: 40%
• Price: $60
• Description: Originating from Peru, Cartavio XO is a blend of rums aged up to 18 years, matured in a solera system with various oak barrels. It presents a less sweet profile typical of South American rums, influenced by the dry Andean terroir. Tasting notes include dried fig, orange zest, vanilla, and roasted nuts, finishing with caramel and dark chocolate.

Zacapa No. 23 Rum

• ABV: 40%
• Price: $45
• Description: This Guatemalan rum is aged for up to 23 years and crafted from virgin sugarcane syrup. Known for its velvety character, Zacapa No. 23 features aromas of caramelized banana and vanilla, with a palate rich in molasses, dried fruit, and cinnamon, ending on a long, semi-sweet note of vanilla and toasted oak.

Ten To One, Five Origin Select Rum

• ABV: 46%
• Price: $60
• Description: This rum blends varieties from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad, aged up to 15 years. It’s complex with notes of molasses and tropical fruits, leading to a robust palate of allspice and burnt caramel, finishing with spices and seasoned wood.

Planteray Rum, XO 20th Anniversary

• ABV: 40%
• Price: $70
• Description: A blend aged in Barbados and finished in French cognac casks, this rum showcases rich flavors of ripe banana and vanilla. Its smooth palate is complemented by notes of dried fruit and crème brûlée, concluding with tropical fruit and soft spices.

Ron del Barrilito Rum, 3 Stars

• ABV: 43%
• Price: $40
• Description: As Puerto Rico’s oldest rum brand, this rum is aged 6 to 10 years and crafted using a solera method. It exhibits a drier structure with aromas of toasted walnut and dried apricot, leading to a complex palate with candied orange and cocoa powder, finishing with caramelized citrus and nutmeg.

Overproof Rum Finalists

Worthy Park, Overproof Rum

• ABV: 63%
• Price: $28
• Description: This Jamaican pot-still rum combines molasses and cane juice, aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s bold with notes of green banana and overripe pineapple, delivering robust flavors of traditional Jamaican rum funk and a long fruity finish.

Cap & Cane Spirits, Overproof Rum

• ABV: 63%
• Price: $32
• Description: Produced in North Carolina, this rum is crafted for cocktail use, combining high-ester molasses rum with lighter distillates. It presents fresh notes of sugarcane and lemon peel, providing a smooth palate balanced with toasted coconut.

Planteray Rum, OFTD (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark)

• ABV: 69%
• Price: $28
• Description: This Royal Navy-style rum is a blend sourced from various regions, capturing the essence of navy-strength rums. It features robust aromas and flavors of molasses and burnt orange, with a syrupy texture and a finish rich in dark fruits and baking spices.

These rums are not only exceptional for sipping but also versatile enough to craft potent cocktails, offering a wide spectrum of tastes and aromas that rum enthusiasts will appreciate.

These five finalists for Best American Single Malt Whiskey at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition exemplify the pinnacle of U.S. whiskeys. Here’s a closer look at each contender, as one will ultimately claim the top honor.

Triple Eight Distillery, The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt Whiskey 15 Years Old

• ABV: 48%
• Price: $500

Triple Eight Distillery, part of the Cisco Brewers family from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, is known for its commitment to artisanal spirits. Their Notch series utilizes 100% Maris Otter malted barley, employing traditional Scottish methods. This 15-year expression is aged solely on Nantucket, resulting in a unique maritime character influenced by the coastal climate.

Tasting notes include rich aromas of sherry cask, stewed fruits, chocolate, and toasted nuts. The flavor profile features dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, and wood spices, culminating in a long, sweet finish with hints of dried fruits and toasted almonds.

Balcones Distilling, Mirador Single Malt Whiskey

• ABV: 55%
• Price: $100

Hailing from Waco, Texas, Balcones Distilling has been a pioneer in the American craft whiskey movement. The Mirador expression is distinguished by its aging process in ex-bourbon barrels, allowing the malted barley’s subtle flavors to resonate.

The nose features floral and fruity notes, with hints of stone fruits and potpourri. On the palate, it is creamy, with flavors of lemon cream, chocolate, and stewed berries, leading to a sweet, lingering finish with floral and herbal undertones.

World Whiskey Society, Wyatt Earp Small Batch American Single Malt Whiskey

• ABV: 48%
• Price: $79.99

This whiskey from the World Whiskey Society pays tribute to Wyatt Earp, an iconic figure in American frontier history, and is crafted in Oklahoma. With a label showcasing a U.S. Marshal badge, the personality of its namesake is reflected in the whiskey.

It presents an aromatic nose of dark chocolate, candied citrus, and caramel. The palate reveals notes of dark chocolate, fig, and a creamy mouthfeel, concluding with a long finish that carries persistent, sweet dried fruit notes.

Stranahan’s, Mountain Angel 12 Year

• ABV: 47%
• Price: $100

Established in Denver, Colorado, Stranahan’s has contributed significantly to the American single malt scene. The Mountain Angel 12 Year is their oldest release, aged in new American oak barrels at high altitudes, resulting in a pronounced "angel’s share" evaporation.

With stewed and roasted stone fruit notes on the nose, it delivers a rich, creamy taste highlighted by blueberry jam, caramel, and wood spices. The finish is long and silky, with flavors of wood and a hint of smoke.

Stranahan’s, Snowflake

• ABV: 47%
• Price: $120

This limited-edition release from Stranahan’s is highly coveted, with enthusiasts often camping out for a chance to purchase it. Each Snowflake expression is unique, resulting from a blend of various cask-finished single malts.

It offers an aromatic nose of orange zest and dried fruits. The palate is smooth and creamy, showcasing flavors of prune, peach, and cinnamon, ending with a sweet, lingering finish of dried fruit and seasoned oak.

These finalists showcase the incredible variety of American single malt whiskeys, which, while rooted in traditional Scotch and Irish practices, also leverage diverse maturation environments in the U.S. to create a wide array of flavors and expressions. The golden age of American single malt whiskey is on the horizon, and these selections are a perfect introduction to its richness.

DropWorks Distillery, Europe’s largest rum distillery, is celebrating its second anniversary with ambitious growth plans. Recently, they appointed Graham Appleyard as the new CEO, who aims to triple the company’s growth in 2025, leveraging the firm foundation built over the past two years. Now present in over a third of the UK’s premier cocktail venues, DropWorks plans to expand its presence in hundreds of additional bars.

Founded in 2023 by Lewis Hayes, DropWorks has gained attention for its high-quality British rum, crafted specifically for the bar industry. Appleyard, with over 20 years of experience in the drinks industry, emphasizes the importance of product excellence for brand success. He highlights their unique offerings, which include “Drops” of various flavors, as creating a fresh and exciting drinking experience.

The distillery is located in Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest, encompassing 17,000 sq ft and capable of producing up to 1.5 million bottles of rum annually. Each step of the rum production process, from fermentation to bottling, is conducted on-site with bespoke copper stills.

Lewis Hayes, the founder and Master Distiller, reflects on the transformation of his initial ideas into a burgeoning brand with a range of products tailored for bartenders. The company is not only poised for growth in venues but also plans to enter the retail market.

DropWorks has already been recognized for its quality, winning multiple industry awards, including the Experience of the Year at the 2025 Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards, highlighting its contribution to local tourism and the spirits industry.

With a clear vision for the future, DropWorks is set to expand its footprint across the UK, offering drinkers a chance to rediscover rum through its creative and diverse range.