Cutwater Rum Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum

Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum is a versatile and flavorful tropical dark rum crafted for both sipping and mixing. Its balanced blend of barrel-aged richness and bright cane spirit makes it an excellent base for tiki-style cocktails as well as an accessible everyday pour.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced by Cutwater Spirits in San Diego, California, this Tiki Dark expression combines four-year barrel-aged rum with white rum, then blends and bottles at 40% ABV (80 proof). The company describes it as “ready to float in your favorite Mai Tai or mix into your next beach-side cocktail,” emphasizing both aged depth and tropical fun.
In its craft process they merge age and freshness: the aged component provides nuttiness, caramel and oak, while the white rum keeps the lively tropical spirit alive.

Critics Reviews

• At the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards, this rum won “Best in Show” in the Aged-Dark category. The judging notes described its nose as “intense, presenting fig, cocoa, molasses, dried fruits, mocha and sea-salt” and the palate as “chocolate-driven core with coffee, brown sugar, mocha and dried fruits,” finishing sharp.

• Retail tasting commentary (Mash & Grape) describes the flavor profile as “buttery rich caramel, toffee and vanilla” derived from the barrel-aged component blended with the white rum.
  These professional evaluations suggest that while it may not carry ultra-premium single-barrel pedigree, it's unusually good value for a dark rum with aged character and tiki cocktail versatility.

Tasting Profile

Nose: A deep amber hue leads to aromas of fig, cocoa powder, molasses, toasted oak, dark caramel and a hint of sea-salt.
Palate: Medium-body with rich layers of brown sugar, mocha, dark chocolate, dried fruit (raisin/fig), vanilla and toffee, supported by a subtle tropical undertone and oak tannin.
Finish: Long and slightly drying—oak char and brown sugar persist, fade into a soft sea-salt edge, leaving a clean sieved sweetness rather than heavy syrup.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

1. Bali Hai Dark Mai Tai

• 2 oz Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum

• ¾ oz fresh lime juice

• ½ oz orange curaçao

• ½ oz orgeat syrup

• ¼ oz demerara syrup
  Shake with ice, strain over crushed ice. Float ¼ oz more Bali Hai Dark Rum on top. Garnish with mint sprig and a lime wheel.

2. Tiki Dark Stormy

• 2 oz Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum

• ¾ oz fresh lime juice

• 4 oz ginger beer
  Build in tall glass over ice, stir gently. Garnish with lime wedge and candied ginger.