The Rum Hook

The inspiration behind this cocktail, as explained by Tyler Laitenen, home bartender from Port Moody, BC, “this riff on a riff on a riff on a riff pays tribute to the playful evolution of cocktails, specifically how classics spawn and inspire riffs and interpretations that in turn also become classics of their own.”

Laitenen goes on to explain, “we can trace this stirred delight all the way back to its genesis in the late 1800s – the Manhattan cocktail. Among many of its ubiquitous descendants, the Manhattan inspired the Brooklyn cocktail 30 – 40 years later in the early 1900’s. We fast forward around 100 years later to the early 2000s when those two NYC cocktails were remixed together into another NYC Borough-named cocktail, the Red Hook, now considered a modern classic. But the evolution does not stop there! In 2014, closer to home here in dear Vancouver BC, we had a further inspiration on the Red Hook with an addition of smoky savory Single Malt to give a nod to Gastown via Blood Alley, and the Meat Hook was thus created! I wanted to further engage in the evolution of the cocktail, paying tribute to bartenders and mixologists everywhere and in every time and the creativity that allows us all the enjoyment of these delectable concoctions. I couldn’t think of a better way to take this into new territory than with my favourite spirit, RUM. The Rum Hook utilizes Havana Club’s Cuban Smoky expression (rested in Islay peated whisky casks) to bring the smoky savouriness of its predecessor. A touch of Campari balances the sweeter elements to bring it all into harmony.”