Introduction to Mai-Kai’s New Rum
This is “Small Bites,” a South Florida Sun Sentinel feature with tiny tidbits on the food and beverage scene — because we know that sometimes you just don’t have room for a long article. You want a little news brief instead, an amuse bouche of information, if you will. Enjoy!
What’s New at Mai-Kai
As if a tropical menu, Polynesian show and tiki-rrific cocktails weren’t enough, now the Mai-Kai in Oakland Park has gotten spirited with the launch of its own rum.
Called Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number 1, it is available for purchase at the gift shop of the iconic island-chic eatery.
The Story Behind Mai-Kai Rum
Pia Dahlquist, the Mai-Kai’s director of public relations, explains how it all came to be: “We [once] used a rum called Dagger Rum that was made in Jamaica … We were the biggest buyer of Dagger and it was used in many of our signature cocktails. When [it stopped being produced], we had to scramble to find a substitute.
“Our guests noticed that our drinks had changed and didn’t taste the same and that was true since we were missing a vital ingredient,” she adds. “Hence the search for a replacement that took years to find, and Mai-Kai Rum Number 1 is as close as you can get. It is a mixing rum, but a lot of people order shots as well, as it is surprisingly smooth to be a 100 proof.”
Recent Developments at Mai-Kai
The new rum arrives roughly a year after the kahuna hotspot — officially called Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show — debuted a $20 million+ makeover featuring a redesigned exterior/interior, revamped stage show and renewed food/cocktail menu.
Details About Mai-Kai Rum
Where to Buy
Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show, 3599 N. Federal Highway, Oakland Park
Cost
$75 for 1-liter bottle; $400 for a case of six
Information
954-563-3272; maikairum.com
Extra Tidbits
According to the Mai-Kai, the rum opens with aromas of banana, black treacle and fruit over toasted oak and vanilla toffee. On the palate, there’s a taste of “musty oak and bold funky fruit blend with baking spices, dark cane syrup and vanilla custard, finishing with notes of fruit cake and brown butter. At 50 percent ABV, it offers bold flavor with a smooth, well-balanced finish.”
Some of the components come from refurbished copper stills that revive historic Caribbean rum flavors, the Mai Kai adds. “The blend brings together robust, funky and fruity notes from the Gregg’s Farm pot still at West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados with high ester rums from the legendary pot stills of Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica,” according to a news statement.
A restaurant and bar unlike any other in South Florida, the Mai-Kai in Oakland Park reopened a year ago after a lengthy renovation.
Mai-Kai managing partner Bill Fuller dances with a performer during the reopening ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Mai-Kai restaurant in Oakland Park on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
Conclusion
The launch of Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number 1 is an exciting development for fans of the iconic restaurant and rum enthusiasts alike. With its unique blend of flavors and smooth finish, this rum is sure to be a hit.
FAQs
Q: Where can I buy Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number 1?
A: The rum is available for purchase at the gift shop of the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show in Oakland Park.
Q: How much does the rum cost?
A: The rum costs $75 for a 1-liter bottle and $400 for a case of six.
Q: What are the flavors of the rum?
A: The rum opens with aromas of banana, black treacle and fruit over toasted oak and vanilla toffee, and has a taste of musty oak and bold funky fruit blend with baking spices, dark cane syrup and vanilla custard.
