Prologue
Its very interesting to note that most of my favorite things in life has been reviewed in some or other sections of MS. The pleasant and encouraging part is to note that those products are all rated very high and recommended by 100% MS members!
This is my homage to a drink called Old Monk with whom I grew up.
Let me tell you something more about OM, especially important to non-drinkers. OM is famous brand in dark rum. I repeat it’s an internationally appreciated brand produced in India by M/s Mohan Meakin. According to “Council of Old Monk Rum Addicted Drinkers & Eccentrics” incorporated under Ryze Networking-“ OM is one of the top selling rums world wide. Its a velvet smooth dark rum with a hint of vanilla and has an alcohol content of 42.8%. OM is a 7 years blend. With the first drop of OM Rum, the tippler gets the sheer aroma of distilled cane sugar grown in the lush green fields of India and stirs up the age old legend of ’Som-ras’ of India’s centuries old scriptures--The Drink of Gods and Lords of India.” If that does not satisfy then they continue- “OM is the scotch of Rum”
In my view there are two kinds of drinkers- those who drink OM rum and those who doesn’t. OM drinkers are generally hardcore aficionado of the drink and they are typically so addicted, they will refuse even imported scotch for OM.
Disclaimer: At this point, non-alcoholic people may continue reading, but at their own risk. I will not own any responsibility whatsoever; if eventually they become OM addict.
Philosophy
I am a Rum drinker by force than by choice. When I started drinking affordability was the foremost criterion, as we were in high School/ College and devoid of enough money to buy drink like anyone else. Then there were experienced seniors who introduced us to OM. An affordable drink to have with friends, enemies, teachers, the late night bartender or the departed soul. Once I drank OM, I just continued drinking it.
OM is more than just a drink to me. There are so many memories, mostly sweet, associated with it, so many people with whom I drank; so many discussions, decisions made over OM sessions; it’s just a part of my upbringing and personality. Even today if we get a chance to meet up with old buddies, OM is our most preferred company! Most of my old friends, irrespective of their social & professional stature, are still stubborn devotee of OM. Of course there are couple of immoral betrayers who, while climbing up the ladder of life and success has switched to other earthly liquids like Whisky.
Availability, varieties & directions for use
OM is available everywhere in India- from roadside dhaba to any five star Hotel. Generally in any bar menu OM is the most inexpensive drink. One large peg of OM is priced at Rs. 30 (Goa) to Rs. 150-250 (Any * Hotel), but still it will be the lowest in price. So, OM is an inexpensive drink. But beware! Never call it a cheap drink!! Just for info, one peg of OM in any * Hotel would cost you more than the retail price of a large bottle.
OM mostly goes well with cola, soda, a dash of lemon and ice, mixed with either/ or in combination as per the taste of the drinker. OM works well in running nose, regular cough and cold. Just take a shot neat and feel the ball of fire rolling down your throat. There’s another Vedic potion- OM mixed with warm water and couple of tulsi leaves and a spoonful of Honey; works wonders! The biggest advantage of OM is that it does not give any hangover. OM saves packing space while traveling. We called OM as “Liquid Kambal”.
But like all spoilsport, spurious OM (Jaali Maal) has been pouring in the market these days. The bad part is you can’t tell it’s spurious unless you open the bottle and sniff it. A genuine old monk will give a sizzling sensation in the nostrils. If it smells just sweet, it’s jaali.
There is a premium version available, called OM Gold reserve, but the bottle is different. The distinctive identification and association is the shape and texture of the square bottle with rounded corners. Just like we can’t imagine Ambassador in different shape so is with OM. OM is available in Quarter (180 ml) & Pint (375 ml). But the classical bottle is the 750 ml one, called as Khamba. I have bought 1 litre bottles in Delhi as well for special occasions like Holi ! But, I was satisfyingly surprised to find a quarter bottle recently in Goa, in the same shape, hope it’s introduced in other states as well. The small bottle can be a very good memento. To add some personal touch it can be painted with glass colours!
An empty OM bottle has a mysterious relationship with money plant, for reason unknown to me. I have noticed Money Plant growing vigorously in homes, nurtured in old monk bottles.
Endnote
This is the 13th review on OM in MS. I just hope it’s not as unlucky as it sounds…!
I will end my homage by encouraging worldwide OM drinkers to comment. The Ryze community is helpful about OM’s international availability. Also there’s a periodic gathering called “Rummixxa” organized by members in different cities.
Cheers!
PS:
One famous Bengali poet has defined Ramnavami- When you vomit nine times after drinking rum and declare it a holiday . I am not sure whether that was specific to OM.
Another quote from Lord Byron- "There’s nought no doubt so much the spirit calms as Rum and true Religion".
OM is not a driver’s drink. So don’t drink OM and drive.
Some people believe that OM is the official drink for Indian intellectuals, after tea.