Afro Head Rum

Who: Toby Tyler, a man who about 6 years ago began pursuing his passion: concocting unique blends for his clients at The Landing Hotel where he reigns as part owner. The woman on the label you might ask? Brenda Barry, Toby’s late mother-in-law, the very first Miss Bahamas and the original owner of The Landing Hotel on Harbour Island. On each label she can be spotted, Afro Head and all, no doubt she had sass to boot; Given she asked Shirley Bassey, the voice behind several ever-popular James Bond theme songs, to be her daughter’s grand-mum – I dare say she does. As Brenda’s daughter says, “it was worth going logo-less for 7 years before deciding on this fab iconic image of my mum from the 1970′s.”

What: Striving for a quality equal to the best whiskies or cognacs, throughout the years Toby has perfected his blending to produce a wide range of Coastal Covet worthy rums: The 7 year old, 10 year old, 15 year old and “Signature Series” –  a blend of rums ranging from 25 years old to 40 years old. Under the label he has also produced a grain vodka that is triple distilled and extremely smooth with a slight sweetness. Every bottle of the rum is currently hand-bottled in Harbour Island by Toby himself. Also did I mention he is passionate? The wax colour that that each bottle is doused in was created by Toby himself to reflect the unique nature of his rums.

Where: Living in Nassau, New Providence? All blends are exclusively available at Young’s Champagne. Or have the opportunity to venture to the out-islands of The Bahamas – specifically Harbour Island, Eleuthera? Then pull up a bar stool at the Landing Hotel and take a sip or visit their gift shop and buy the lot.

Why: Several reasons. The price tag on their Afro Head Vodka doesn’t hurt, for $20.00 dollars those four “made in China” t-shirts you purchased really don’t compare on the souvenir scale. The tastes range from robust with hints of vanilla and marzipan to a creamy smooth long finish with notes of nut. Lastly and more importantly – because nowhere else in the world can you purchase such a blend, making sipping Afro Head a real authentic Bahamian experience.

So tell me will you be buying a bottle of Afro Head on your next visit?

P.S. Be sure to take advantage of Young’s Champagne online boutique where you can purchase Afro Head, they’ll ship around the world too.
P.P.S. Photo credits – Cookie Kinkead