Meet Paul Menta | Distiller, Chef, kiteboarder and Wingfoiler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Menta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have had quite a few businesses before I opened Key West Legal Rum, so I wasn’t a stranger in the risks and financial issues to get it off the ground. I did a lot of research that helped a lot. Location was important, so so was the lease process so I needed to strike a balance. Next was the concept I had really good enough to draw a customer base? I went out and asked a lot of questions about that to people from all walks to see what they thought about my idea. Now how much will it cost and what will operating expenses be? Do I have enough to open and get through first 6 months? That all came down to looking at margins. With Rum I could make way more in retail than wholesale, so that would be my focus which disrupts the normal way to do a distillery where wholesale is everything. Once I had it ll laid out in front of me with all this answers, then I had to have a conversation with myself about if I am mentally ready for this journey which I will be working a lot and having to really focus on. You can see the result today 10 years later, still open! Educate yourself and surround yourself with good people. If you can’t run every aspect of your business, you shouldn’t do it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My day can consist of many jobs, I could be kiteboarding in the am, distilling rum the rest of the day and then cooking in the kitchen at night. These are not jobs, they are passions. When you do things you Love you never have to make something up or act. It shows naturally and you enjoy it all, the good and the bad. Nothing is every easy, and for me personally the best things that happen for me are a failure. If you don’t do it wrong, you will never do it right. It becomes a challenge and you get to decide after getting it right, is this a good idea to do?
Opening a distillery in Key West when there was never a licensed distillery in all of the Florida Keys is , well…scary. There is nothing to copy or to see a success to gauge your own way of wanting to do you business. Being the first you have to deal with new rules or zoning showing up all the time and be ready to handling it. Some thought I would fail, but they didn’t know that I really did my homework and was able to travel around and speak to some successful Distillery’s and not so successful ones and learn from their mistakes. I pushed myself hard to learn as much as I could, went against the normal way to distill and following my skills as a Chef to lead me to a unique way to express my brand that no one had done. I was criticized,, even called and idiot. I was happy I was not understood, as I had a plan to be unique and give a flavor and history of Key West for everyone to take home from my business in a way on a Chef could put those flavors and techniques together.
We “salt cure” our barrels in the ocean, make our own extracts, use Demerara sugar instead of molasses and so much more to give people something I am proud of and is Hand Made in Key West!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, first no car, we use bikes to get around you see so much more. I would take them for a Cuban Coffee (cafe con Leche) at 5 brothers or Cuban Coffee Queen first , then ride over to the cemetery and read some of the hilarious head stones from our past residents and as it warms up watch the iguana’s sunbath. Next would be some snorkeling at fort Zachery Taylor or we can go out on my boat snorkeling and get lobster!
Lunch would be a choice of The Garden Cafe, The Boat House at turtle Kraals,
Next they can park the bikes on Duval’s street and walk it. Hitting Sloppy Joes Bar and all that Duval st has to offer.
One night would be sunset at Mallory Square to see the performers, another night sunset at Truman water front park to chill with locals and the for sure the 5 o’clock sound check at the Green Parrot Bar!

I encourage friends to get bikes and get lost on the island! You will meet really cool people, see the history and the architecture. If you go too far and hit The Southernmost Buoy, get a photo and now go the opposite way!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wasn’t the greatest kid in school and was invited back to public school and ended up in a Quaker school and they changed my who life and got me to where I am at today. Teachers like Peter C. And Donna N. Potentially saved my life and beloved in me, their work at Media Providence Friends School was instrumental in how I live my life! They other people who were so important are the people who let this crazy curious guy into their homes or businesses to let me learn how things are cooked, distilled or made all over the world. I think you all for that Street education that gave me so many skills.
Lastly my son Paul Menta 4th who with his courage and good heart makes me want to do good always!

Website: Keywestlegalrum.com paulmenta.com

Instagram: @Keywestlegalrum

Twitter: @chefdistilled

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keywestrumdistillery

Youtube: KitehousePaul

Other: LongLiveTheConchRepublic.com Southernmostbuoy.com These are mine

Image Credits
Keywestlegalrum.com