Here is Bacardi Torched Cherry Rum with Natural Flavors. It is apparently made with “torched plant aloe.”

The use of aloe as a flavor is curious because it’s not clear how aloe tastes, and various sources say aloe does not taste especially good. This product is one of very few TTB products that seem to contain aloe. Even these find no room for aloe. As of this writing, the other flavors in the line are:

• Dragon Berry
• Limon
• Peach
• Raspberry
• Orange
• Coconut
• Apple
• Melon

Apart from aloe, this label suggests TTB will allow the term “Rum” to appear larger than “with natural flavors.” And yet, on other distilled spirits specialties, such as an identical product made with a vodka base, it is unlikely TTB would allow “Vodka” to appear in a more prominent way compared to the rest of the statement of composition. It is not clear why TTB polices the term “vodka” so rigorously, but not other comparable terms, such as “rum.” Another example of this is, the government clearly allows “cherry rum” (as above) but would probably not allow “cherry vodka.” This example is easier to understand because, as a matter of law and history, rum is only made from cane products, so confusion is unlikely. But in the case of a “cherry vodka” it would be more difficult to be sure about whether the product is distilled from cherries or just has a cherry flavor. It is possible that “vodka” is more sensitive due to controversy around this Skyy Blue label from many years ago.

Related Posts:

• The Prominence of Vodka (1)
• Wine Without Sulfites (9)
• Whey Neutral Spirits (0)

First there was Miller Lite, at about 96 calories per 12 ounces (back around 1975).

In later years the non-alcoholic malt beverages (or “near beers”) became more common, with leading brands such as Clausthaler and Kaliber at about 80 calories (as per Skilnik).

Now, in the past year, it appears we have a race to the bottom. That is, Miller Genuine Draft 64 came out about a year ago. It is, not surprisingly, 64 calories per 12 ounces (and 2.8% alc./vol.).

Lower and more recent still is Bud Select 55. It is only 55 calories and 2.4% alc./vol.

This is one important trend over the past 34 years. In a future post we will look at a countervailing trend toward very high calorie/alcohol malt beverages.

All of this leads us to wonder, where will this go in the next 34 years? When the Jonas Brothers hit middle age, will they be drinking Bud Exträ Epic Mega Select 11 (down near the lower limits for the legal definition of beer)? Hops flavored Perrier?

Related Posts:

• Beer with Oysters and Clams (3)
• Wine Without Pretense (0)
• Whey Neutral Spirits (0)

Tea with a bit of ethyl kick seems to be one of the most popular trends of the past year. TTB has approved many brands, and these are two of the biggest.

Southern Comfort Sweet Tea Cocktail is classified as a liqueur, at 15% alc./vol. The back label proclaims it — “exciting.”

Jack Daniel’s Sweet Tea is classified as a malt beverage with natural flavors. It has 2/3 less alcohol. Google Maps says the products are made 5 miles apart, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Related Posts:

• Dragonfruit Bacardi (4)
• Beer with Oysters and Clams (3)
• Bacardi with Aloe (0)

What on earth is a dragonfruit, and do you want any in your rum?

It is “an outlandishly flaming pink, spineless cactus fruit that looks like an artichoke from Mars.” This is according to David Karp, “The Fruit Detective.” Karp was very early in calling this still-budding trend. He is credited with familiarizing Americans with this fruit. Way back in 2002 he said “Improbably enough, it’s now the object of a mad scramble, one of the most colorful booms in California’s agricultural history, replete with paranoia and intrigue.”

His article, in the Los Angeles Times, is so good, especially as compared to the other information readily available, that we will quote it at length. Karp explains:

The mango did it. The Meyer lemon did it. Over the years, many fruits have crossed the barrier from exotic rarity to become available to all of us. … Now there’s a new one poised to make the leap, and it’s safe to say it is the strangest one yet.

The texture of the flesh is similar to kiwifruit, though its subtle flavor and refreshing juiciness are really more reminiscent of watermelon. … “It’s so visually stunning that our customers are intrigued by it,” said Bill Yosses, pastry chef of Citarella restaurant in New York, who has used wedges of the fruit to garnish a trifle.

California pitahaya cultivation is still in its infancy. … The planting that is largest and furthest along is the 18 acres grown by the Dragon Fruit Co. in Borrego Springs, 25 miles west of the Salton Sea. … The partners are determined to be the first commercial producers of pitahayas and dominate the market, before supplies increase and prices drop. … “For something this special, they don’t care what it costs,” said Omar Reynaga, a salesman.

The French brought pitahayas to Vietnam a century ago, and many new California growers are immigrants who knew the fruit in their homeland. … Fresh pitahaya has not been legally imported into the United States because it is a host of fruit flies that could damage domestic agriculture. … Companies in Vietnam and Thailand recently signed contracts for the construction of electron beam irradiation facilities that could zap the pests in pitahaya and other fruits, allowing them to be exported to the U.S.

For some crazy reason, Google seems to say that nobody links to Karp’s article. If nothing else, we and Bacardi can rectify that outlandish, flaming injustice.

Related Posts:

• Beer with Oysters and Clams (3)
• Whey Neutral Spirits (0)
• Vodka Distilled from Milk (3)

Here are two beers with added . . . seafood. The first is Budweiser with Clamato. The second is Stout brewed with Oysters. The clam label provides an early example of allergen labeling.

Related Posts:

• Whey Neutral Spirits (0)
• Vodka Distilled from Milk (3)
• The Beef is Here (Meaty Booze 5) (0)