How Our Rum Is Made
The Source.
We source rums from a total of 5 geographies. Our base is a Caribbean light rum; This is a blend of multiple un-aged columns and still molasses-based rums. While our source can change from time to time, the most dominant origin is the Dominican Republic.
The remaining blends are listed below:
2-5 YO Guyana Rum, which is a blend of pot and column still rums from DDL Distillery. Molasses based.
Blend of Jamaican high ester rums from different distilleries on the island. All pot still and all un-aged.
2-5 YO aged light rum blend from Trinidad Distillers Limited. Column still, molasses-based. Charcoal filtered.
5 YO Barbados Rum from the Foursquare distillery, blend of pot- and column still Rums
The Botanicals.
The inspiration for our rum derives from the same origin point where dishes at Takoi restaurant begin - fresh ingredients that emphasize the bold flavors of regional Thai cuisine. In keeping with this spirit, we choose botanicals that are influenced by one of our favorite dishes at the restaurant - the massaman curry - and highlight the use of botanicals found within its curry paste. Fresh lemongrass, galangal, cumin, cilantro stem, and dried chilies provide a vibrant and earthy profile that is accentuated by floral notes of coriander and subtle baking spices of clove and nutmeg.
The Process.
We vapor distill a portion of the Caribbean light rum base with a combination of whole fresh botanicals and dried spices. We employ a custom copper pot still to do a slow and precise extraction of the botanicals. Once we finish the botanical extraction, we recombine the botanical distillate with the Caribbean light rum and blend it with aged and unaged column and pot stills rums from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, and Guyana. To finish it off, we add a touch of 4-year-aged Thai rum to bring a pinch of color, provide more body, and to give the rum an additional layer of depth. No additional colors, artificial flavors or sweeteners of any kind. Just whole botanicals paired with unadulterated quality rums.
The Distiller.
When it comes to our rum production, we set out to work with the best distiller in Michigan possessing a background in botanical distillation. For us, that distiller is Robyn Cleveland. Robyn is the owner of Norden Spirits - the Michigan-based Aquavit label - and is considered a pioneering mind in the world of botanical distillates. He works regularly with several botanicals and demonstrates a deep understanding of essential volatile oils and their influence on a finished product. His success with Norden Spirits and his deft hand with distillation lends great credence to the quality we look to impart in our botanical rum.