Post #783298 by Snapper_RIW on Mon, Jan 22, 2018 12:28 PM

I visited the Undertow on Saturday before I left town and had a great time. Since it was Saturday I used opentable to make a res at 4:00 when it opened hoping to get a spot in front of a bartender's station. I would highly recommend using this app instead of doing a walk-in. They do 90 minute sittings with your reservations. We got lucky and sat in front of Libby's station. She has been with Undertow since it opened and was very knowledgeable about the drinks and their method.

Libby at Work on our first drink.

I brought two fellows along with me to introduce them to Tiki and have some fun. I started with a Mallory's Treasure (18 y/o Aged Agricole Rhum (Rhum J.M I believe), Japanese Whiskey (Suntory Whisky Tori), Sherry, Amaro, Palm Sugar and Orange Bitters). The presentation was worthy of the ingredients. It comes to you in Mallory's own treasure chest (back lit and smoking). The smoking does impart a hint of additional flavor to the drink by coming into contact with the empty crystal glass and your ice cube, but it doesn't overdo it. The drink itself is in a stoppered glass decanter.

Still image from a video of the Mallory's Treasure

I've listed the remainder of the cocktails we had at the bottom of this post with a few more pics. I enjoyed talking briefly with Jason Asher from Barter & Shake who was dutifully managing the reservations, seating, and the entire experience for that matter. The sound and sensory experience greatly enhanced everything for the two tiki-neophytes who joined me. We especially enjoyed the multi-media presentation through the ship portals surrounding the bar. Their images were tied to the lighting and sounds of the bar. Everyone in the place quieted down a bit during the gunfight with a neighboring junk and during rough seas (you have to be there to completely understand it). They have a very creative menu that is in its second iteration. It speaks well of Jason and his staff's commitment to the renewing the experience of visiting. It is WELL WORTH the stop if you are in Phoenix. Do a deep dive like we did and try several things. We put Libby in the driver's seat for our last three drinks and we weren't disappointed.

Foreground - Folks enjoying a 'Spoils of War' while a bartender is lit from a 'Mallory's Treasure' in the background. Sorry for the rotation. Couldn't get this pic right for some reason.

While there we also enjoyed:

• Batten & Brace (Pineapple Infused Rum, Mezcal, Herbal Liqueur, Lemon, Orgeat, Mint and Pineapple)
• Hempen Halter (Pineapple Infused Rum, Batavia Arrack, Swedish Punch, Coconut Liqueur, Lemon Oleo Saccharum and bitters)
• First Mates Delight (Butter Washed 12 y/o Nicaraguan Rum, Blend of Aged and Island Rums, Allspice Dram, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Don's #2 Mix and spices). I think this was a previous winner at Tiki Oasis.
• The Smoking Cannon (Bourbon, Aged Barbadian Rum, French Amer, Sherry, Pineapple and bitters - served with a cinnamon smoke)
• Smuggled Goods (Macadamia Nut Infused Overproof Aged Jamaican Rum, Mezcal, Sherry, Allspice Dram, Orgeat & Lime)
• Hoist the Black (Aged Nicaraguan Rum, Pineapple Infused Rum, Lemon, Molasses and Peach)
• Heart of a Sailor (Macadamia Nut Infused Overproof Aged Jamaican Rum, Aged Guyanese Rum, Creole Shrubb, Peach Liqueur, Sherry and Passion Fruit Bitters).

There are plenty of other great things to explore on their menu. I started working on a Macadamia Nut Infused Rum for my home bar this morning. I've labeled it simply as 'Undertow' to bring back some great memories from this trip.

My intrepid tiki-tasting crew...

-Snapper

[ Edited by: Snapper_RIW 2018-01-22 12:29 ]