Hamilton Beachbum Berry's Zombie Blend Rum

The original 1934 Zombie or the Hamilton Beachbum Zombie.

Nose: Rich molasses and dark brown sugar hit first, followed by tropical fruit notes of ripe banana and pineapple. There's a hint of vanilla and a subtle spiciness reminiscent of cinnamon and nutmeg. A light oakiness rounds out the aroma.

Palate: Full-bodied and intense. The initial taste is sweet with flavors of caramel and overripe banana. This is quickly balanced by a complex spiciness featuring clove, allspice, and black pepper. There's a noticeable alcohol heat that carries flavors of toasted oak and dark chocolate.

Finish: Long and warming. The sweetness fades, leaving behind a pleasant dryness. Lingering notes of dark fruit, particularly raisins and dried apricots, mingle with a subtle smokiness. The spice elements continue to tingle on the tongue, with a final kick of ginger and cinnamon.

Like all of the Hamilton rums, this is blended and bottled in Westfield, NY for the world market.

• Hamilton's Zombie Blend Rum is a recreation of a lost recipe from tiki legend Don the Beachcomber, pieced together through years of detective work by cocktail historian Jeff "Beachbum" Berry. It's designed to replicate the exact flavor profile of the original 1934 Zombie cocktail.
• The Bum spent more than the last decade of the last century researching the recipes and secrets of the men and women who made and served the drinks that Donn Beach and Vic Bergeron made famous. He’s the author of six definitive books on tiki and has traveled the world educating bartenders and enthusiasts about this exciting era of drinking.
• Ed Hamilton spent a couple of decades sailing the Caribbean, visiting the birthplaces of the Caribbean spirit and pursuing his passion for cane spirits. Since 1995 he has been sharing his research online and in books about his travels and the people who have spent their lives making some of the best spirits in the world.