Under the Counter
I heard about such stuff from friends as far separated as Antigua and the Grenadines, so I can’t say I wasn’t warned. But seek it I did, requesting a trusted friend on St. Lucia to find me a bottle of the elusive version of Under The Counter that contains bugs and the things those critters live on. 
The taste of that St. Lucia mix was the devil’s own work, and was purposely developed to make you hurl any poison you had ingested – quickly and violently. No amount of mixing it with any soda, juice or fine rum could cut its disgusting taste. Of course, one look at a black caterpillar as big as my finger staring back at me under the screw cap was warning enough for what would soon transpire. Honestly folks, I don’t make this stuff up. I guess the most positive thing I can say about the St. Lucia bug juice is that only seriously sick rum collectors would want to posses this stuff.
Count me in.
Objective Notes
Varies from Very Smooth to Wretched Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth).
Color: From Pale straw to scary inky black.
Aromas: range from distinctly Earthy to Maudlin
The characteristic initial taste is immediate with spices forward, and often burdened with a high-test unaged alcohol bite. Once past that phase, flavors range from sweet to sickening.
Body: Medium-lightweight
Finish: Anywhere from syrupy smooth and enticing, to choking harsh.
Anecdotal Notes
Dave – I’ve spent considerable time and miles sampling wonderful and uniquely homemade Under the Counter rums from French St. Martin in the Caribbean Leeward islands, to the Windward islands of St. Lucia, Union, and Grenada. And I’ve experienced something so purposefully negatively off-the-charts on St. Lucia that you’d have to see it to believe it. [See Sidebar]. As Dorothy said about her trip to the Land of Oz: “…and most of it was wonderful!” The best places I’ve found to sample Under The Counter include the little roadside bar
Taster’s Opinion
Sometimes it’s proudly displayed on top of the counter, but just as often it’s hidden away, reserved for locals or tourists like me who are savvy enough to know where to look and ask for it by name. Under the Counter isn’t just one rum, as each island, or individual, creates their own version. Rum’s about the only thing these concoctions
have in common. Ingredients are consistently organic, ranging from the mundane spices (clove, cinnamon, bay leaf, chenytwef, bois bandé) to the macabre (spiders, insects and caterpillars - Oh my!). Flavors correspond as you might imagine; a few Under the Counter rums are delicious, some are magic potions to enhance lovemaking or cure any ailment, including the hangover you get from drinking too much of it, and one is downright horrible. My advice? Ask for it anytime you’re in a local Caribbean rum shop. It’s guaranteed to be different at every place you stop.
Sometimes it’s proudly displayed on top of the counter, but just as often it’s hidden away, reserved for locals or tourists like me who are savvy enough to know where to look and ask for it by name. Under the Counter isn’t just one rum, as each island, or individual, creates their own version. Rum’s about the only thing these concoctions
Taster's Rating (10 is best): Dave – 0-8 Flasks (Location, Location, Location)
Most recently tasted by: Dave all over the Caribbean from 2008 to today – the search never stops.
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*Bottle size and type varies, but is most often a previously used, and perhaps washed, glass rum or water bottle.
Origin: West Indies
Age: NA
Price per Bottle*: $10-$20
Alcohol: from 35% - 150% ABV
Category: Flavored/Spiced
Taster’s Rating (10 is best):
Dave - Variable, perhaps ranging from a high of 8 Flasks downward.
Under the Counter,
Out of the Ordinary.