08/14/2026
Hi All-
We've been promising some 'How To' shorts on our Livestreams
for weeks now. Here's our 1st one. Yes, we suck at this because
It's our 1st production. We'll get better (we hope)
If you're "into" Mai Tai cocktails this is a HOMERUN!!! -WHY ? READ ON
In his own writing and interviews detailing the origin of the 1944 Mai Tai, Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron described the original J. Wray & Nephew 17-Year as: "Surprisingly golden in color, medium-bodied, but with the rich, pungent flavor particular to the Jamaican blends."
The Key Characteristics of this Flash Aging remarkably resembles Vic's own words. He emphasized:
1) The "Pungent" Profile: Vic explicitly highlighted that despite being aged 17 years in tropical climates, the rum retained the distinct, heavy, ester-driven hogo (funk and punch) characteristic of Jamaican pot stills. 2) Body and Appearance: It wasn't an overly dense, blackstrap-style heavy rum; it was golden and surprisingly approachably medium-bodied, making it remarkably drinkable. Respecting the Spirit: His philosophy for the cocktail stemmed directly from tasting this bottle.
He noted that:"The flavor of this great rum wasn't meant to be overpowered with heavy additions of fruit juices and flavorings." This exact description was why he kept the rest of the template minimalist—just fresh lime, curaçao, and orgeat. This makes the Jamaican oak aging & some 'HOGO' the star of the show
