JWray or “Why does my drink taste like gasoline?”
After recoiling in horror at my first taste of Wray and Nephew overproof rum, I immediately assumed something had gone very wrong. Had someone dumped out the rum and poured in gasoline? And why did they add vanilla extract to it? Needless to say, that first taste was so repulsive, I avoided the stuff for some time until finally being ridiculed so extensively for my poor taste by my close cocktail associates that I gave it another try.
My second attempt was more than a year later. I’m not sure if it was the peer-pressure, the fact that I now enjoy sipping Fernet Branca from nearly any vessel, or some other mash of circumstances, but what once tasted like the remains of a thousand penguin corpses steeped in vanilla extract was now transformed into a funky, miracle rum.
Peter’s Rum Pages has an extensive history of the J. Wray and Nephew company, so rather than replicating an already interesting tale, I’ll offer a few fun facts about the spirit.
Interesting Facts About JWray
- The J. Wray and Nephew company owns Appleton and produces all of their products, in addition to my favorite dark Jamaican rum, Coruba, which is their only product not produced on the estate.
- Since it’s overproof, JWray is an excellent spirit for making syrups, such as falernum. Not only is it a workhorse at extracting flavor, but it will add a touch of vanilla to whatever you produce.
Lightning Bolt
- 1oz white rum (used Old New Orleans Crystal)
- 1 oz white agricole rum (used Oronoco)
- 1/2oz lime juice
- 1oz pineapple juice
- 1/2oz vanilla syrup
- 1/2oz honey mix (1:1)
- lemon soda, to top (used Fever Tree bitter lemon; sub Ting)
- 1/2oz Wray and Nephew overproof rum, floated
Fill your narrowest but good-sized glass with crushed ice. Add all but the soda and Jwray. Spin the ingredients around a few times with your straw. Top with soda and float the lovely JWray.
Tiare from A Mountain of Crushed Ice
The vanilla aroma from this drink is beyond measure, and by the time the overproof rum worms its way into the depths of your glass, you will surely have planned your second round.
JWray and Ting
- 2oz Wray and Nephew overproof rum
- 4oz Ting
- small lime wedge (optional)
Build over big, fat ice cubes.
Tiare from A Mountain of Crushed Ice
As you may have surmised by this point, Tiare is the Queen of JWray and Ting. Think of this as your grown-up rum and coke. Here is her post on JWray and Ting.
KP Questions
- How many of you have had JWray or Ting?
- What’s your favorite drink using either?
7 Responses to “JWray or “Why does my drink taste like gasoline?””
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Matt Schacht
Said this on March 26th, 2009 at 10:46pm:I love grapefruit soda and Ting is in my top tier. I’ve been meaning to try the jwray overproof for some time now – here’s a perfect reason! My current favorite drink using grapefruit soda is the Paloma (http://mattsmiscellany.blogspot.com/2009/02/la-paloma.html)
JohnTheBastard
Said this on March 27th, 2009 at 1:03am:When I asked my liquor store if they could get JWray, they said, “We used to carry it, but stopped because its nasty.” Grr.
Martin
Said this on March 27th, 2009 at 10:50am:True it is not nasty at all, but actually quite wonderful. Dilute it a bit and really taste it.
BTW, there are many products not produced on the estate- they make several other spirits (and Myers’s) which are made in Kingston where they have several column stills. If I remember right from my visit, there are only pot stills at the estate.
Tiare
Said this on March 27th, 2009 at 11:29am:John, they must be crazy at your liqueur store. JWray is one of the most versatile of rums, its good for so many things.
Rick, that garnish is out of this world – again. Actually the bean looks like a lightning;-)
Folks, if you haven`t yet tried JWray and Ting, do youreself a favor and try it! if you can`t get Ting, try it with a grapefruit or bitter lemon soda or Sanpellegrino Limonata.
Mike S.
Said this on March 29th, 2009 at 2:59pm:W&N White Overproof and Ting is one of my very favorite summer drinks, right behind (and some days out in front of) a strong G&T. Awesome.
nicole
Said this on March 29th, 2009 at 6:48pm:my kitchen isn’t complete without a bottle of Wray & Nephew…it reminds me of the Jamaican treats my mom made growing up. that flavor showed up in drinks & desserts and we were never too young for the taste. now, i’m a fan of the Wray & Nephew gimlet, but love it with Ting as well.
TDN SWIZZLE! | A Mountain Of Crushed Ice
Said this on April 29th, 2009 at 4:19am:[...] Rick from Kaiserpenguin.com made 2 glorious Cheater`s and Applejack swizzles, both very flavourful which i`m sure will be featured over at Kaiserpenguin with some amazing photos and breathtaking garnishes: [...]