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Looking to start my own little tiki bar, any recs?
I got a copy of Smugglers Cove at a convention a while ago, and now that I have a new job on the horizon I'm considering expanding my rum palette and making a home tiki bar. Smugglers Cove has a big list of rums for each of the classifications, and I was curious if people had specific recommendations from the various rum classifications as good starter rums for the bar.(A caveat: I'm kosher observant, which doesn't matter for most rums, but makes spiced rums harder to find. Please keep this in mind with recommendations. Thank you!)
I used this for a guide since it helps simplify: https://cocktailwonk.com/2023/06/nine-essential-tiki-rum-styles.html
That said, I've bought a LOT of bottles this year based on this and recipes from Disney's Trader Sam's recipes.
I second the suggestion of using the Cocktail Wonk categories. Smuggler's Cove provides an excellent breakdown of rum production and how those methods affect the final product, but I found it lacking in application outside of the book (the Total Tiki app, for example, doesn't pair great with the Smuggler categories)
I even reduced them further to simply Demerara Rum, Jamaican Rum, Lightly Aged Rum, Moderately Aged Rum and Overproof Rum. I also keep a single aged and unaged agricole in my collection since they pop up enough in recipes and can't be easily substituted.
Lumping them together may seem impractical at first but it allows you a lot of blends to play with once you get to know your bottles a bit. Plus fewer categories means more overlap which allows you to keep a diverse collection without buying a lot of distinct yet less versatile bottles.
As far as good starter bottles, from my categories, I think El Dorado 12 (SC#3) is an amazing demerara rum in tiki drinks and the first "elevated" rum I had (depending on where you are the 8 year may be way cheaper, in which case go that route, but it's less than 5 bucks more for the 12 here and it's worth every penny) but if you double dip this category and grab something like Gosling's (SC#5) or better yet Hamilton 86 (SC#5) you can cover more Smuggler's ground and have a cheaper option than ED12 on hand. Appleton Signature Blend (SC#2) is about a safe bet as you can make with a starter Jamaican rum. It's not going to blow you away, but Jamaican rums are a beast you'll want to hold off on for a bit. If you stick with tiki, you'll fall in love with Jamaican rum and go down the funk rabbit hole, but they can take over a drink pretty quick in a way you might not like yet. Plantation 3 Star (SC#2) is my go-to rum for people who don't think they like rum, so I think it's a great lightly aged option. Moderately aged is such a large category with each region bringing something unique to the table. I personally find Angostura 1919 (SC#4) to blend really nice with virtually any other category of rum but Flor de Cana 7 (I don't think it's listed in SC, but I'd put it in Category 4) is another nice, safe, inexpensive option to test the waters. Lastly, when it comes to Overproof Rum, I have to go with my heart and say Lemon Hart 151 (SC#6). A lot of folks would say OFTD is the way to go -- and in fairness, it is called for by name in more recipes -- but I LOVE Lemon Hart 151. It's harsher straight than some of the other options, but mixed in a blend it is that "rum as a dessert" flavor defined. You'll need Smith & Cross (SC#1) and Coruba (SC#5) eventually, but no need to rush it.If you're looking to stay completely faithful to Smuggler's Cove and their recipes, there's probably a better bottle list, but I think for a starter tiki bar there isn't much you couldn't make with the list above. Don't forget you're going to need to bankroll quite a few esoteric liqueurs and syrups, too.
Also, don't worry about your spiced rum caveat -- it's virtually never called for in tiki recipes since those flavors are imparted through other ingredients.
At the moment I have:
Jamaican – Moderately aged: Appleton Estate 8 (it's only a couple $ different from Signature near me.
Jamaican – Caramel forward: Myers, hate it, and will by Plantation Dark again next time.
Lightly Aged and Filtered - Don Q Cristal. Supposedly better than Bacardi, but it's hard to tell. Plantation 3 Star does not fit this category. Will be be trying something else soon. Probably Cruzan or El Dorado.
Moderately Aged- Plantation 5-yr, tastes like a better version of Bacardi Ocho. Also Kirkland 12-yr Panama since it tastes like a better version of Pyrat.
Moderately aged Demerara – Pussers Blue Label. Not a fan. If I can ever talk myself into finishing I'll get a replacement.
Moderately Aged Demerara – 151 proof, lightly aged - Actually bought Gosling's 151 for this because Disney uses it at Trader Sam's. I do like it, but finally found Lemon Hart 151 at a nearby store and will be picking it up.
Got some spiced and coconut rums for a couple specific drinks.
Oh, buy Velvet Falernum. Technically a rum. It's the real ingredient. If a drink calls for B.G. Reynolds syrup, double the amount of Velvet you use.
Edit: You'll also need orgeat. My first was Liber and Company (very nice but mail ordered and not cheap) the second was Giffard (cheaper, readily available locally and okay). Then I found out with a bottle of almond milk from the store and some orange blossom water it's a few ingredients and a quick easy syrup to make from scratch.
Since 2018, I have operated The Forbidden Hole home tiki bar (featured in the book, Polynesiacs). It's remarkable how many classic tiki cocktails work great with Planteray 3 Star. I consider it a staple of the home tiki bar. I also keep Smith and Cross, Pusser's, Wray & Nephew, Lemon Hart 151, El Dorado 12, and Cruzan Black Strap.