Denizen Merchants Reserve 8-Year

I've tried for years to produce a genuine Mai Tai, and always fell short of my goal. Sure, the Jamaican part is easy; there are several great choices for that part of it. But the Martinique side of it -- that was tough!
There's a two-fold problem here. First, some people claim that a Martinique Rhum Agricole is the key. I believe the original Victor Hogo would say that such persons probably live on a hill, because all their marbles roll out every night. The spicy, grassy, vegetal notes in a Rhum Agricole go great in Three Dots and A Dash, but they do not belong in a Mai Tai. The second problem is that the correct Martinique rum to use, Traditionale, or Grand Arome, is rarely available at retail.
Fortunately, Denizen's produces this product to Martin Cate's specifications, and since I started using this product, it evokes memories of every Mai Tai I have ever had a a Trader Vic's establishment (except the "Old Way" variation I once had at the Beverly Hills Hilton location a dozen years ago, but that's only because the overproof float overpowered the aroma), right back to my very first, which was in 1982 at the Palmer House location in Chicago.
The balance between the esters from the Jamaican and the molasses/caramel character from the Traditionale is masterful. It is fine to sip, especially after adding a few drops of branch water. I've purchased more of this rum than any other, and it has never disappointed.

I have drank various Jamaican rums for years, and decided to try this based off the reviews here and other places. What a find. It has the wonderful Jamaican funk and the interesting impact from the 20% Martinique rum. Together they make a rum which is excellent in a Mai Tai, but need very little adulteration to be enjoyed.

This aged, blend is a little bit Appleton, a little bit Smith and Cross and a little bit Agricole that sort of make it in category of it’s own. The aroma instantly reminded me of a traditional quality Mai Tai and of course, this makes outstanding cocktails. I also like to sip this on a occasion when something a little lighter and drier is in order. A little brown sugar lingers on the lips with a nice medium long, warm finish. Very unique and nicely done.

Got this as my catch-all Mai Tai rum and have been very pleased, as have all of my friends who have tried it. A few of us know what a real Mai Tai is and with the proper technique and proportions (homemade orgeat helps too) I have developed what we consider the best Mai Tai we've had with it. There is some real funk and depth to this rum that comes through just the right amount in a Mai Tai without challenging the pleasant nuttiness and dry orange flavor.

I've only ever made Mai Tai's with this rum, since that is what it was specifically made for.

I was actually hoping for it to be a bit more intense than it actually is.. The funk is there, but not at the dramatic levels I was expecting from the description. It is, however, a classy rum that deserves a great deal of respect - It is the closest imitation for the legendary W&N 17yr.
Initial nosing is of caramelized ripe banana. It has a very pleasant velvety mouthfeel, and a nuttiness that I assume comes from the Grand Arome. Some tropical fruits mix in as it progresses to a very smooth, warm finish. I would love to see what this would showcase at a higher strength...
Its a go-to rum for Maita'is. Though I would argue a superior drink can be had by blending Smith & Cross with an aged agricole.

I have to say that sometimes we try to make more out of a rum than its intended or perhaps better expressed; hold it to a standard to to which it is obviously not suited. Merchant 8 is not a long aged pot distilled rum and was never really intended to be a "sipper" (but regardless, to some of us it is!). As mentioned here Martin Cates uses M8 as his house Mai Tai rum at Smugglers Cove house. What isn't mentioned is that he collaborated with the folks from Denizen & E&A Sheer to blend a rum for just that purpose. I was happy to see that at least one person here also picked up on just how successful that collaboration was; the Jamaican funk & Agricole notes do indeed come through. With that in mind I'd say that Jeff Berry and Martin Cates were both pretty much on the same page when it came to recreating the flavor of the now extinct 17YO Jamaican Rum that was the basis for the original Mai Tai. I like it straight but it truly shines when used for the purpose it was intended.

I've completely revised my opinion of this rum after learning it's pedigree. For strict traditionalists, nothing will ever replace the 17 yr old J. Wray and Nephew rum used by Vic Bergeron for the original Mai Tai. After exhausting supplies of 17 and later 15 yr old, Vic experimented blending his own rums to approximate the flavor of the original rum. He settled on a blend of Jamaican and Martinique rums. One word of correction to some reviews here. The Martinique rum Vic used was not the strict AOC Agricole, but an aged molasses based rum. Denizen sought to recreate this blend, and has done so admirably. This is the closest you will get to the original Mai Tai flavor.

This is a rum I continue to revisit. The mix of Jamaican and agricole is finely tuned if unspecific in both categories. Vanilla bean and just a hint of mint and parilla. Lovely stuff.

This is not a sipping rum review. The Martinique grand arome and Jamaican pot still rums in here up the hogo and general funk in a way that features best in a Mai Tai or grog-style tiki cocktail. Much like Smith & Cross, this is best if used as intended!