Mekhong...rum or whisk(e)y?

[macwilkin]

Anyone ever tried this tipple before?

http://www.mekhong.com/

Some web sites claim it to be a whisk(e)y, whilst others say it is really more of a rum...whatever it is, I'd like to at least try it.

T.

[Joshua]

From the site: (emphasis added)

The Mekhong sugar cane spirit is artfully blended with rice spirit and a secret recipe of natural Thai herbs and spices to deliver its unique taste of Thailand.

That would make it a rum, fortified with grain alcohol (rice spirit).


Whisky/ey normally is basically a grain spirit, not as filtered or re-distilled as much as vodka, and usually aged in a barrel.

I've never heard of a rice whiskey, although chances are that cheap rice grain alcohol has been used to fortify many a cheaper tipple. The predominant grains for whisky are barley (Scotch Whisky/Irish Whiskey), Corn (American Bourbon, Whiskey, Corn 'likker), and Rye (Canadian Whisky). There is much overlap between them all but it seems all of them undergo a single distillation (not 3 to 9 distillations like Grain Vodka), a "proofing" (adding water and/or weaker yielding liquors to achieve a desired alc %), sometimes blending, and in most cases aging.

[macwilkin]

From the site: (emphasis added)




That would make it a rum, fortified with grain alcohol (rice spirit). Spiced Rum, to be exact.

That was my thought as well...wasn't sure why it was being referred to as "whisk(e)y."

In any case, I would love to try some...

T.

[Drac]

Since it (from what the site said) is made of sugar cane and not molasse it would be rhum like Barbancourt from Haiti.

If it is like Barbancourt it is worth a try. I have a bottle of 8 year at home and a bottle of 15 year on the way. Truely amazing stuff.

Jim

[Downunder Kilt]

This whiskey is sold all over Thailand, both original (as per the site referred to by the OP) and knock offs using the same brand name. They can be purchased for as little as $2.00 a bottle by tourists at any shop that sells soft drinks.
Most are potent home brews that are then sold to the public, with all the correct seals and goverment markings.
To me, all those that I have tried, including the one referenced by the OP, are fire water, and in my opinion are a mish mash of several spirits. To use the phrase " neither fish nor fowl " would be of some relevance here

[12stones]

This whiskey is sold all over Thailand, both original (as per the site referred to by the OP) and knock offs using the same brand name. They can be purchased for as little as $2.00 a bottle by tourists at any shop that sells soft drinks.
Most are potent home brews that are then sold to the public, with all the correct seals and goverment markings.
To me, all those that I have tried, including the one referenced by the OP, are fire water, and in my opinion are a mish mash of several spirits. To use the phrase " neither fish nor fowl " would be of some relevance here

*** on this. It's always referred to in Thailand as "Thai whiskey" when it's being peddled. It's definitely not for the feint of heart, and it brings back some great memories of my times in Thailand.

[walkerk]

Anyone ever tried this tipple before?

Much more than I would like to admit or remember.