Tears. Tears of happiness. 

This magnificent wall of Booze is at Duke’s Liquor Box. I hate to say the phrase “well curated” cause it makes me sound like the next Trondy Hipstar but good god y’all, this shop is SO WELL CURATED! Just gaze into the photo and note that there are almost zero major labels in there. And what do you get when you aren’t selling Fireball and Jose Cuervo? You get really phenomenal bottles. This shop is where I’ve acquired things like: Cocchi Americano Rosa, Bonal, Dolin Blanc, El Buho Mezcal and Delaware Phoenix Bourbon.

Well, yesterday I was after Rum. I was after El Dorado 12, but when I arrived they only had the El Dorado 8. This was actually super fortunate because then I was able to go in a totally different direction, Funky Jamaican Rum.

Smith & Cross Navy Strength Jamaican Rum, Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black Rum

WOAH. So funky, funky, funky! I did a side by side taste test and Imma tell you about it.

Ministry of Rum Collection Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black Rum:

• Nose: Molasses, banana, pineapple, tobacco, grasses, super wide nose
• Tongue: Dry, citrus, caramel, molasses, allspice and other spices, chocolate, FUNKY, super long finish, super wide finish, 46.1% ABV
• Impression: Honestly, there was so much happening that I was overwhelmed (in a good way). This Rum will stand up to anything. If i were to make a Tiki drink with 10 ingredients in it, what would stand out? Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black Rum. So serious, so impressive, so bold, so challenging! I love it!

Smith & Cross Navy Strength Traditional Jamaican Rum:

• Nose: Caramel, pineapple, banana, strawberry, tropical fruit (guava?), grasses
• Tongue: Honey, spices, brown sugar, tropical fruit, FUNKY, direct finish, smooth short finish, to the point, 57% ABV
• Impression: This is a really approachable, versatile and user friendly Jamaican Rum. Smith & Cross Rum’s combination of high proof, tropical fruits and short finish make it perfect for mixing with. I shall be using it in loads of Tiki/Tropical drinks.

Hello new Funky Friend of mine. 

What do we do when we get a new Rum? We make a Daiquiri. Since this is a Funky Rum, I decided to make a Funky Daiquiri. Enjoy!

DP Daiquiri

• 1 1/2 oz Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum
• 1/2 oz Velvet Falernum
• 1/4 oz DD Mix
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1 dropper Bittermen’s Elemakule Tiki Bitters
• Garnish: hollowed out Lime half*

In tin combine ingredients over ice and short shake. Pour entire contents of shaker into mason jar (this is called a Dirty Pour**). Garnish with one of the Lime halves you used when you juiced the Lime.

*If you’re going to serve this garnish, be sure to serve the drink with a straw so no one gets whacked in the face.

**I always like to use mason jars when I make Dirty Pour drinks.

Tropicaaaaaaal, tropical breezes. Tropical sneezes.