Availability of Bootlegger's components -- Again

[Big Jim]

First it was that Master's Bay rum was no longer available, now it is Superior 70 Bay Rum that seems to be out of stock everywhere I look, or at least almost. An Ebay seller listed it at something like $45.00 a bottle. Amazon has substituted Super 70 Bay Rum. When you search for Superior what pops up is Super.

My grandson reordered from Amazon and didn't notice the substitution. Both have a similar scent. Super has a slightly more prominent green tint. Both have the same alcohol content. Both claim to be based on the bay oil. although similar in scent, the Super has a decided sharper note, showing off the alcohol content.

Has anyone else run into this? is Super a reasonable substitute?

 

[Big Jim]

As long a I have the other components I went ahead and made up a small batch using Super 70. Small, that is with one tablespoon of each with a small squirt of glycerin. Firsts impression is favorable, although not quite a match. I'll use it off and on for the next week or so and report back. I have some old remnants of both Masters and Stephens blends to compare it to.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Superior 70 can often be found at Hispanic markets or pharmacies. It's supposed to be very inexpensive, like $2 or $3 a bottle. The online sellers jack the price up to ridiculous extremes.

This is what Puerto Rican people call an alcoholado. It is usually just bay oil in alcohol. Sometimes there are other ingredients like eucalyptus and menthol. But most plain alcoholados should be similar.

 

[nortac]

I have the Super 70 inbound from Amazon and didn't notice the substitution either, but having never experienced the original Superior 70, hopefully it won't be a big deal.

 

[Big Jim]

I'm going to let it mellow a bit longer. So far it is still cloudy (as was the last batch using Superior 70 but it cleared up in a week or two). Also from past experience with Bootlegger from any mixture, the scent improves with a little aging.

So far, the scent is a little off. I'm thinking it will be close enough, especially after it mellows. My wife notices the difference and thinks it is inferior. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Eric_75]

I have currently have 7 bottles of Superior 70 Bay Rum in my closet. I'm glad I stocked up some time ago. Inspired by @OkieStubble of course.

 

[Big Jim]

Some follow up. A blended a small Cholola bottle (about 6 oz or less) or bootleggers using VIBR, Stephens Bay Rum, and Super 70. The mixture remains cloudy even though I mixed it about a week ago. Has anyone else observed this? The resulting mix seems to improve as it mellows. still not quite as nice as the original, but acceptable.

 

[GR5233]

Some follow up. A blended a small Cholola bottle (about 6 oz or less) or bootleggers using VIBR, Stephens Bay Rum, and Super 70. The mixture remains cloudy even though I mixed it about a week ago. Has anyone else observed this? The resulting mix seems to improve as it mellows. still not quite as nice as the original, but acceptable.

I’ve noticed that as well. I’ve done two different batches of the OBR. Both have the VIBR and Superior 70. The only difference is one uses the Stephan bay rum and the other uses Gabel’s. The Stephan’s variant does get cloudy when you first mix it but settles down after awhile. I don’t have the cloudiness issue with the Gabel’s variant

 

[Big Jim]

I’ve noticed that as well. I’ve done two different batches of the OBR. Both have the VIBR and Superior 70. The only difference is one uses the Stephan bay rum and the other uses Gabel’s. The Stephan’s variant does get cloudy when you first mix it but settles down after awhile. I don’t have the cloudiness issue with the Gabel’s variant

Thank you!

 

[CzechCzar]

Bootleggers is unobtanium. What is the world coming to?

 

[Big Jim]

A follow-up. At first I noticed a slight off note, sort of medicinal in character, with Super 70 that was not in Superior 70. When mixing it with VIBR and Stephens it first was slightly noticeable and slightly off-putting. As it mellows though, it is not nearly as noticeable and at this point I can't tell it apart from the original Bootlegger's.

I have also noticed the Stephens by itself is a very mild and pleasant product with a fair amount of glycerin, not as much as Masters, but still more than most. When I want a mild bay rum this one is great.

The cloudiness of Bootleggers with Stephens seems to take a few weeks to dissipate. Not really a problem, but still not expected.

 

[GR5233]

I have also noticed the Stephens by itself is a very mild and pleasant product with a fair amount of glycerin, not as much as Masters, but still more than most. When I want a mild bay rum this one is great.

I’ve noticed that the Stephan’s really balances out the spice of VIBR. Makes a great version of the bootlegger’s blend

 

[Markdad2]

I just read Skin Bracer is disco'd.