CGR Merchant and Co

Overview

Something of a cross between a smuggler's den and an alchemist's shop, the Merch is a rum or gin lover's holy grail. The bar's key feature, a broad shelf wall filled with their beautifully home-infused esoteric gin and rum creations, is a treasure trove for the alcoholically adventurous. Think chocolate fish rum; salted caramel rum; spiced pumpkin rum; Christmas pudding rum; watermelon gin; cucumber and lavender gin - you get the idea.

I didn't spend too long admiring the wall, as my tunnel vision peculiarly quickly (I'm usually quite the um and ah-er) locked in on the salted caramel rum ($10). What soon followed as I took my first few sips was what could only be described as seeing the world through a Nashville filter haze. Note: I was also a little bit drunk - accounting for the softened edges; maybe the Merch's mood lighting helped create the warmer hue as well. I digress. Point being I really, really liked the rum.

We all make good decisions in life, walking up the stairs of 46 Courtenay Place is one of them. I guarantee you will have a Nashville filter real-life experience.