Tuck

And a good source fr the mint?

The El Dorado 15 Year is an excellent addition to any collection. The $60CDN doesn't look to bad to me. The best price I've found it was $23US several years ago at a grocery store in St. Marteen. Sure wish I could find it here in Virginia, it's my favorite sippin' rum!

I've heard that there are only two distilleries in the Caribbean that still use water power.

To me, it tastes like vanilla extract, with a hint of cinnemon.

I dunno! Flavoring? Sure wish that I'd had my digital camera though; those suckers were big!

KAK, I seriously doubt that this stuff in anywhere obtainable outside of Grenada. While it would definately be "authentic" for the period, it is also seriously vile!

I've posted some pictures of the River Antoine Distillery in the ImageGullet. Hope the link works right, I'm new to this forum and don't have the hang of the features yet.

I started to make my own spiced rums several years ago, after sampling a number of versions of "Spice" in Grenada. In an attempt to mimic some of their concoctions, I generally use a cheap 151 ( Some of the "spices" used downisland: Cinnemon Nutmeg Vanilla Rosemary Ginger Vanilla Black pepper Bay leaves Bois Bande aka:Hardwood "Sticks" in St. Lucia (I have no idea what they are - bought in market) Tanka beans - substitute for vanilla Cloves Ganja Extremely large millipedes I've also tried a few "homegrown" ingredients (small batches at first): Beechwood - nice Oregon grapes - too bitter for me Sasafrass - can you say "root beer rum" - UGH!

Try some of bartender Elvis Andrew's "Under the Counter" at the Tropicana Hotel in Grenada. It not only has bois bande roots, but also the biggest d*mned millipedes I've ever seen along with a lot of other unknown thingies! A very interesting drink!

I dunno, "Rivers-Slightly Overproof"(actually around 170 proof!) from Grenada is pretty godawful. A lot of the locals actually prefer it, so it must be an acquired taste.

Absolute Best I've Ever Had - Mount Gay and Coke, as mixed by the teenagers from a local school club, at the Heiniken/Mt. Gay Workboat Races on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada in January! For $5EC (about $2US), you get a healthy drink and a Mount Gay bandana. Close Second - Jack Iron 'n Coke in Grenada/Carriacou. Warning! Potent stuff! For Occasional - "Spice" 'n Coke - locally made spiced rums. I now bring back spices and make my own brew-up.

I did a fair amount of researching this period, back in the mid-80s, when I was shooting flintlocks with a bunch of "buckskinners". I'd guess that you're definately right in your criteria. I've had the River's in Grenada (it's definately an acquired taste, very popular with the locals, but pretty vile to me!); and it would be "authentic". Another one that you might be more able to find is the White Star Rum from New Brunswick. Never had it, but, from what I understand, it's an over-proof that's made in Trinidad and bottled in N.B If so, it's probably the same stuff that's made by Trinidad Distilleries, Ltd. and sold in Grenada/Carriacou as "Jack Iron", which I've had downisland many times. Want to have some fun? Con an unsuspecting soul into doing shots!