If you haven't been out since last weekend then you probably haven't yet noticed, but a new liquor has recently entered our boozy landscape. Launched in Chicago last year, Kilo Kai Rum officially reached Milwaukee area bars, restaurants and liquor stores Monday, March 10.

I, of course, wasted no time experimenting with the sample they sent us with the press release. Kilo Kai is a spiced rum, so, referencing my limited knowledge of the words "spiced" and "rum" together, I went into it expecting something along the lines of Captain Morgan. In essence, sure, the two share basic qualities, but I found Kilo Kai to be significantly sweeter and smoother than a swig of the ol' Cap'n. Distilled in Curacao, Kilo incorporates palatable amounts of vanilla, banana, cherry, nutmeg and orange peels. This is a rum I'd actually consider drinking on the rocks.

Kilo Kai just got here a few days ago, so, at the moment, it's only available at Cans Bar & Canteen, 1815 E. Kenilworth Pl.

As of Friday, March 21, you can get a taste of the spiced rum at the following bars:

Balzac
1716 N. Arlington Pl.
(414) 755-0099
balzacwinebar.com

Bad Genie Rock Lounge
789 N. Jefferson St.
(414) 273-0555

Buckhead Saloon
1044 Old World 3rd St.
(414) 390-0233
buckheadmilwaukee.com

Cafe Hollander
2608 N. Downer Ave.
(414) 963-6366

Decibel Nightclub/DeepBar Lounge
1905 E. North Ave.
(414) 272-3337
decibelmke.com

G'Daddy's BBC
2022 E. North Ave.
(414) 272-7263

Hi Hat Lounge and Garage
1701 N. Arlington Pl.
Lounge: (414) 225-9330
Garage: (414) 220-8090

Kenadee's
725 N. Milwaukee St.
(414) 431-5556
kenadees.com

Serving suggestions

Here are a few cocktails that Kilo suggests:

Skull & Bones (Your basic rum & Coke)
1.5 oz. Kilo Kai
4 oz. Coke
Lime garnish

Pirate Tea
2 oz. Kilo Kai
I oz. orange juice
1 oz. Coke
Lemon garnish

Kilo Acid Trip
.5 oz. Kilo Kai
.5 oz. vodka
.5 oz. gin
.5 oz. tequila
1.5 oz. melon liqueur
(Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass)

Kai Chai
1.5 Kilo Kai
1 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
4 oz. hot tea
1 tsp. honey

Here's what I did with what I had at home:

Kilo & O.J.
1 oz. Kilo Kai
4 oz. orange juice
Lime garnish

Kilo & Mango
1 oz. Kilo Kai
4 oz. mango nectar (I had it for a Thai recipe I was trying)
Lemon garnish (to cut the sweetness down a tad)