Denizen Merchant’s Reserve rum. If you enjoy Mai Tais, this is definitely a bottle to add to your collection. The classic 1944 Mai Tai is a superb creation that does not resemble the versions you’ll oftentimes find today at vacation resorts or restaurant chains. It is balanced, potent, not overly sweet, and never had any float of rum atop (or pineapple…or cherry…or pink/red colors…)

The history of the classic Mai Tai is quite interesting. It was originally invented by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron in 1944, using a 17-year old Jamaican rum made by J Wray and Nephew. The drink became very popular at his Trader Vic restaurants and soon supplies of the rum dwindled. To ensure the continued life of his now-famous drink, he came up with some revised recipes that replaced the JWray 17 rum.

The surviving revision used a blend of an aged Jamaican rum with a molasses-based Martinique rhum. The Denizen Merchant’s Reserve was crafted in consultation with Martin Cate from Smuggler’s Cove to represent an all-in-one rum blend based on Vic’s adjusted recipe. Validation of this in a Mai Tai….superb. Now, time to make one yourself!