Don The Beachcomber

[Bobby]

I came across your discussion earlier this summer about putting together a Tiki party and found it quite interesting. I thought that you guy's might enjoy seeing a list of Rum & Rum associated Liqueur's, along with the source country, that Donn Beach used in his bars and restaurants. Without a doubt The Beachcomber was the the guy that started the Tiki rage back in the 1930's but since they are no longer around I plan to try out the Trader Vic's at the Palmer House in Chicago in the near future.

The list below is from the Beachcombers ( 101 E. Walton) in Chicago circa 1940 (I did not include the 1940 prices as it would only serve to depress everyone that reads this post). I am looking forward to your comments!

Anejo………………………………..Cuba

Alvarez Carta Camp Matusalem

(15 years old)…………….….Cuba

Bacardi Elixer ……………………....Cuba

Bacardi Carta de Oro…………….….Cuba

Ballantine………………………...Jamaica

Barbados Choicest Liqueur……..Bermuda

Batavia Arak………………….…..Holland

Beachcomber (6 years old)…….……Cuba

Bellows Choicest Liqueur……….Bermuda

Black Head Punch……………..Martinique

Bookers Liqueur………………...Demerara

Brugal Gold or White…………..Porto Rico

Charley’s Royal Reserve

(15 years old)………...……Jamaica

Colonial Divina………………….Matinique

Ellis’ Demerara (142 Proof)..British Guiana

Felton’s Crystal Springs……..New England

Finzi’s Ruby……………………….Jamaica

Gorgona……………………………Panama

Habanero…………………………...Mexico

Havana Club………………………….Cuba

Hedges & Butler…………………Demerara

Hudson’s Bay 91…………………..Jamaica

Hudson’s Bay Demerara

(151 Proof)………….British Guiana

Kelly’s Grande Reserve……………Jamaica

Kingston Gambarotta………………….Italy

Lamb’s Old Navy……...British West Indies

Lemon Hart (28 years)…………….Jamaica

Lemon Hart (151 Proof)…….British Guiana

Lownde’s (151 Proof)……………Demerara

Myer’s Mona 1906 (30 Years Old)..Jamaica

Myer’s V.V.O. (44 Years Old).……Jamaica

Okolehao……………………………Hawaii

Palau (30 years old)…………………..Cuba

Rhum Ayala……………………...Philipines

Rhum Sarthe…………………………..Haiti

Ron el Infierno (30 years old)………..Cuba

Ron Superior Faraon…………………Cuba

Seigert’s Bouquet Rum………Port of Spain

Southard’s Old London Dock……..Jamaica

Treasure Cove (32 Years Old)…….Jamaica

White’s Red Heart………………...Jamaica

J. Wray & Nephew (10 years old)...Jamaica

J. Wray & Nephew (15 years old)...Jamaica

Edited September 30, 2003 by Bobby (log)

[Ed Hamilton]

It looks like there is a long way to go for the rum bars of today to catch up with the popularity of the drink more than half a century ago.

Interesting that many of the names are still producing and bottling under different names such as Siegerts from Trinidad, which is now Angostura.

[scheer]

I can tell ye, Batavia Arrak is very much allive, main market today is scandinavia, where they use it for the punsh.

It's a beautiful distilate

Regards.

Ed

[Bobby]

Do you guys know if any of the Cuban distilleries are still in operation?