Mekhong Rum from Thailand : anybody had it?

http://www.cultdrinks.com/unusualspirits_more.asp?id=407&cid=24

I just came across a bottle. Going to be available in the New England area soon. I know the distributor :wink: Scottes? Anyone? Formerly a whisky apparently and I guess its not technically a rum since its only 95% sugar based....thas what my friend told me at least. I havent cracked it open yet to try to whip one up. The bum didnt even know this one!

Supposedly it's a popular liquor in Thailand and have heard it called rice whisky. Here's some marketing info I found online.

Ooh she gave me Mekhong Whiskey
Ooh she gave me Hong Kong flu
Ooh she gave me Mekhong Whiskey
Put me on a breeze to Katmandu

From "Sayonara" on the album "Hell's Ditch" by The Pogues

Wikipedia also calls it a whiskey, but confirms it is
made from 95% sugar cane/molasses and 5% rice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekhong_whiskey

A BBC hosted webpage had this comment:

if you upend a bottle of Mekhong in a glass of water in such a way that
the pressure of the water does not allow the whiskey to escape the bottle,
a clear liquid will be seen to dribble into the water.
This is glycerine, used to artificially boost the alcohol content,
which can cause blindness if consumed in large quantities.
Happy drinking...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A132193

Have no idea if the above is true or not,
I do know that various plant extracts sold in the US, for edible consumption,
list glycerin as an ingredient.

In the US, I have found Mekhong Whiskey in some Thai restaurants with a bar.
I've never heard it referred to as a rum.
I don't know how to describe the taste, maybe like a rough, light rum.
Not a real strong flavor and slightly sweet.

[ Edited by: tikiboat 2008-02-08 20:14 ]

We've got a bottle here at the bar. It's surprisingly good actually - surprising because I expected it to taste rough. Sweet, punchy and smooth - ideal for cocktail mixing.

I don't know how to describe the taste, maybe like a rough, light rum.
Not a real strong flavor and slightly sweet.

I had this rum when in Thailand and its not the best rum i`ve had and yes its like a rough light rum.

Paul! are you here now...:)

Good day my little fragrant lady!!!

I've had to reconsider my last post - just tasted it and it was pretty rough actually. Maybe the rum caught me on the right day last time. Not a bad mixer but I wouldn't drink it straight

On 2008-02-08 04:50, paulipbartender wrote:
It's surprisingly good actually - surprising because I expected it to taste rough. Sweet, punchy and smooth

• A little later, paulipbartender wrote:*
  I've had to reconsider my last post - just tasted it and it was pretty rough actually. Maybe the rum caught me on the right day last time.

I also experienced it as sweet and smooth when I first tried it and then found it much rougher after trying it again later.