Date: 2008-04-03 16:29 Subject: Sailor Jerry! Security: Public

I love rum.

I just really enjoy it. Maybe it's because it harkens back to the days of sailors of old. Hoisting mainsails, firing cannons and battoning down the hatches. Perhaps it's because it has ties to the naval tradition of my grandfather and WWII, where the booze was stong, exotic island women wore grass skirts and men got tatoos of anchors on their forearms. Hell maybe it reminds me of my own naval days, many of which ended with nights by a campfire on various beaches, friends by my side and a bottle in my hand.

Of course it could just be that I really just like rum. Regardless of why I enjoy rum above all other spirits, I have recently discovered I have a new favorite: Sailor Jerry

I stumbled upon this little gem while on a recent fishing trip. The weather had turned rainy and cold, and knowing that nothing prevents pneumonia like a strong shot of fine whiskey, we headed out to the local liquor store.

At first I thought I'd be boring and just grab some Bacardi. It was the safe choice, and it's a decent rum. But then I looked up and saw this exotic brown beauty sitting on the shelf, not only that but it had an exotic brown beauty swaying on the bottle! Anchors aweigh my boys. A pirate's life for me! I grabbed it thinking it would be a novelty and nothing more.

Once I took my first sip, however, I was smitten. Sailor Jerry is a spiced rum, according to their website, it is a "92-proof blend of caribbean-style rum with vanilla, lime and other spices". That certainly explains the auburn color of the liquor. A more delicate palate than mine could probably taste all of the spices they mention, but the one that sticks out most to me is cherry. I don't know if they just age it in cherry barrels, or if they simply infuse it with the flavoring, but it really stands out. The end result is a drink that anyone, even those new to rum, can really savor. My hard drinking days may be long behind me, but even still this is a liquor that you can really sip and just let roll around on your tongue for awhile. It's strong without being overpowering, it's smooth without being watery, and it has a distinct aroma and flavor that goes down well on the rocks or in a cocktail.

Once the trip was over and I came home, I had to find out more about Sailor Jerry and how I had managed to miss out on it thus far. What I found out was that Sailor Jerry was more than a rum. It was a culture. A culture that had its roots in the original Sailor himself back in the days of WWII and the tatoo scene of Hawaii.


Apparently the original Sailor Jerry was a hard as nails son of a bitch, a quality I can appreciate. He left home at 19 to join the Navy and see the world. During this time he was impressed by the artork and intricacy of the asian art of tatooing. At some point he decided to open up a tatoo parlor in the Chinatown disctrict of Honolulu, and the rest was history. Here are just a few quotes from his biography:

"He's the man many see as the father of the deftly crafted, boldly lined, balls-forward Old School Tattoo. The kind fueled by the devil-may-care appetites of men far away from home."

Hell yeah!

"He traveled around the world, not only getting his first tattoos, but also gaining exposure to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia. This later became a crucial influence when he opened his first tattoo shop in Honolulu's Chinatown, ground zero for swaggering sailors, drunken soldiers and whoever else wasn't afraid to hang around volatile levels of testosterone."

I am unafraid, Sailor Jerry!

"The Honolulu Tattoo district was designed to accommodate a time in men's lives when they drank heavily, paid for women, and imprinted their biceps with pictures solid and resonant enough to last a lifetime."

I like my women free and clean Jerry, in every way, but other than that I am right there with you sir!

"As with the work of any great artist, every one of Sailor Jerry's designs reflects an extra level of depth, some detail that communicates more than the content would indicate (and) depicting the romance and optimism necessary to sustain a life at sea."

Believe me, it takes some fucking optimism!

"The biggest thing missing from such a life, of course, is breasts - and the individuals behind them."

Can I get an AMEN?!?!?

"Buxom maidens are a centerpiece of old-school tattooing, and they were Sailor Jerry's specialty. Jerry's girls are not waifs, they are zoftig creations, with luscious thighs, shapely calves and highly pert boobs. Yet its their eyes that stand out above everything - eyes that are playful, knowing and aware. Even when they're shut, you can feel the presence behind them. It's easy to see how they can get under a man's skin. They're alluring enough to look at everyday, until death do you part, leaving them behind to spark lively conversations at your wake."

... Well great. Now I want another tatoo.

According to their sources, the rum's flavor was directly influenced by Jerry's aka "The Man's" tastes and experiences, and the kind of rum he loved to drink. So not only do you get to enjoy a fine and wonderfully flavored spirit, you get a tiny window into the man, the myth and the legend that is Sailor Jerry.

I cannot say it strongly enough. This is good booze. If you ever find yourself with a chance to sample any, I highly suggest you do. You'll never want to drink some bullshit rum in with your coke ever again.