Denizen Merchant's Reserve 8 Year Rum

A dark chestnut color that is clearly artificial. It states on the bottle it's a blend of 80% Jamaican Plummer-style rum and 20% Grand Arome from Martinique, aged 8 years. This is an American-made product, blended by a Dutch company, and brought into San Francisco. Aromas of overripe banana, banana skin, fresh cut grass, toasted pineapple, caramel candy, vanilla, almond paste, aged leather, fuel, cigar leaf, oak, and mahogany. The bouquet is very alluring, possessing both funk and approachability. On the palate, it is rich and sugary with notes of ripe banana custard, caramel, orange liqueur, diesel fuel, and white pepper. There are also some artificial sweetener, plastic-like, imitation vanilla characteristics leading to a brief, spicy finish that echoes its fruitiness. This was apparently created to substitute for the 17-year-old Wray and Nephew used in the original Trader Vic's Mai Tai recipe. It certainly enhances the curacao and orgeat components, and any acidity from lime or ginger lessens the less desirable aspects of the finish. It's very drinkable, but it's certainly becoming too expensive considering the other options in the rum market. If the caramel coloring were removed, it would likely have more vibrancy.

Served neat in a glencairn glass. It has a more yellow than brown appearance, a golden hue with toasty notes. The body is light but leaves rich, oily trails. A powerful nose, reminiscent of aged agricole. Spices gently tickle the senses without being overpowering. Butterscotch, cream soda, baked pears, and turbinado sugar are present. A thick, smooth palate. Raw sugar, leaning towards brown. Pineapple, marjoram. Thanks to a fellow reviewer, I wouldn't have thought of sweet potato, but it fits perfectly. It might be related to the cooked carrots I've begun to associate with aged agricoles. A hint of oaky vanilla. Candied walnuts. A very pleasing harmony of sweet, sour, funky, and bitter notes. Extremely sippable, with abundant sweetness and character. I'm truly enjoying this. Eager to try it in a Mai Tai.

Certainly enjoyable, yet it also left me somewhat wanting – specifically, I kept wishing I was drinking a Jamaican or Agricole rum instead. My preferred mix for Mai Tais uses Jamaican/Agricole rather than a direct swap with this bottle. Therefore, it feels a bit unnecessary for my usual preferences, but it's still a commendable drink.

Having spent many months in Puerto Rico, I can confirm that every visiting colleague insisted on a trip to Bacardi. This is undoubtedly the finest I've ever encountered... earthy, funky, with subtle sweet caramel and a spicy, long finish that rivals top-tier scotch. A delightful find at $42 in Lynnwood, WA

Developed with a certain individual from Smugglers Cove to replicate the flavor profile of a specific old rum for Mai Tais. It cut short the effort of blending an Aged agricole with a good Jamaican rum. It's their house rum for Mai Tais.

This is a WONDERFUL blended Rum/Rhum. It will make an excellent Mai Tai and is generally a great funky Tiki cocktail rum.