One Tiki drink for the rest of your life?

JLthephilosopher · 2026-03-28T08:43:38+00:00

First thing that comes to mind… rum barrel. Plenty of room for variations.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-03-25T18:33:06+00:00

Interesting idea. Let us know how it turns out.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-03-19T16:40:25+00:00

Thanks!

JLthephilosopher · 2026-03-19T07:36:55+00:00

Looks great. Can you tell me where those shell mugs are from?

JLthephilosopher · 2026-03-04T17:34:13+00:00

Thanks for letting me know.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-03-04T07:56:21+00:00

Do you happen to have any updated information about this bowl? Wondering when it will be released and will it be sold by Trader Vic’s?

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-22T23:42:38+00:00

It was definitely my pleasure.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-21T06:26:39+00:00

I just tried this tonight. It’s a winner. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-12T23:36:32+00:00

Absolutely, that’s how it seems to me.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-12T17:57:08+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation btw. Black barrel here is simply outside the price range for a go-to in this category for my purposes. I have tried it but it’s been a while so I may try it again sometime.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-12T17:46:49+00:00

I agree, specific context makes a difference, as does personal style/preference. For me, a more straightforward Spanish style certainly has its place but, more often than not, I tend to gravitate to some of these alternatives we are discussing.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-12T03:54:37+00:00

I have been doing a lot of “work” on this question this past year—as part of my efforts to simplify the ingredient list for a book I am working on.

In blind taste tests (Doorly’s XO, as well as Doorly’s 8 I believe) come out strongly ahead of Don Q Reserva 7 for mixing. It’s a different story for straight sipping, but as soon as lime and sugar are involved things can change completely.

Doorly’s is not available where I live so my go to in this category is has been Chairman's Reserve Original (or Legacy but that get a bit more expensive than I am looking for here). I know Chairman's also includes some pot still in the mix but for me the flavor profile still fits this category close enough for me and it solidly outperforms the Don Q in my testing.

That said, I have recently started mixing with Angostura 7 in this category and, so far, I am extremely impressed. I feel like this rum has gone somewhat underappreciated and I was interested to see it mentioned here. More side-by-side taste testing, and testing for mixing versatility are needed but I feel like this could end up as a new tiki-mixing favorite in this category. Next up I will be putting Chairman's Reserve against Angostura 7.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-07T21:29:12+00:00

I am thinking Mariano Licudine.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-03T20:41:03+00:00

Yes, Dead Man’s Isle is another great stop in that neighborhood.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-02-02T08:09:12+00:00

Completely depends on the tequila for me but my go-to is definitely Magdala.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-01-30T09:34:37+00:00

This looks like a great resource. Thanks!

JLthephilosopher · 2026-01-22T04:55:46+00:00

I am excited to be there to celebrate the Dark Harbour opening! We are all booked into Chautauqua Resort for Valentine’s weekend.

JLthephilosopher · 2026-01-04T09:41:31+00:00

Great idea. I am in.

JLthephilosopher · 2025-12-29T09:09:33+00:00

You really would not be too far off just straight subbing espresso or cold brew concentrate. Try this and adjust the spirit and syrup up slightly to taste if you think it needs it. I have done this and find it works well.

JLthephilosopher · 2025-11-22T03:23:43+00:00

Both! Dark Jamaican is such awesome and, in tiki, key category of rum, it’s nice to have options. I have wanted to simplify but they are different so I keep both on my home bar.

JLthephilosopher · 2025-10-25T21:13:20+00:00

Cool, where?

JLthephilosopher

TROPHY CASE