A Stoic's Guide To Music & Rum
Philosophical playlists, rum pairings and recommendations. Weird shit I know.
For those who know me, they’ll tell you I’m a bit of a weirdo in the sense that I like to combine topics that have no business being together.
That I like quirky drinks. That I get up on my philosophy soapbox. That I get extra philosophical when I’ve had a drink.
For those who don’t know me, this email is the perfect introduction for you because I’m combining those exact topics. (Because of course I am).
Philosophy was the game-changer. It transformed how I see myself, the world and my role as a copywriter.
It was the philosophy of Stoicism that laid the groundwork for building this newsletter and getting out into the world.
As this is a rum week for me (I’ll be hanging out at the Manchester Rum Festival on Saturday), it makes total sense to give you some of my favourite Stoic tracks and rum recommendations.
If you’ve got any favourite philosophical tracks or you’re a rum geek like me and want to give some of your own recommendations, hit reply.
Best,
Jamie
When viewed through the lens of philosophy, music has a lot to say. Whether it’s rock, hip hop or country, the listener takes their own meaning from the song, rhythm and beat. For me, there are songs that resonate with Stoicism and help to put me in the Stoic mindset.
Here’s a list of tracks that can help you to Stoic it up and bear in mind that this list is entirely subjective.
Each of the songs has a personal connection to me and you may find there are other tunes that best describe your own philosophy.
Skillet – Standing In The Storm
Resistance makes me stronger, so make me stronger
Whatever comes
I’m standing in the storm like never before
The pressure builds around me
Let the winds surround me
Whatever comes, I’m not givin’ up
Fearless as lion, not afraid of dying
One of the appeals of Stoicism is the resilience and endurance it teaches to practitioners. That’s not to say the philosophy should be confused with ‘little s’ stoicism, which is an unhealthy state of not sharing emotions.
Stoics do feel their emotions and they can express them. The difference is they are good at not being overwhelmed and learning how to regulate emotion.
Standing In The Storm by Skillet is a great example of a resilience-building song. The lyrics and music combine for an uplifting anthem to remind the listener of staying tough in the chaos.
Fozzy – Broken Soul
Standing in the shadow
Behind a wall
Made of fear
Cracking the foundations
Dissolve the glue
With my tears
Now I’m standing at the crossroads
And I know which way to go
But I’m not strong enough to get there on my own
I’m at an end
Losing control
Trying to mend
This broken soul
Give me one more chance
For me to show
How much I need you to heal my broken soul
For Stoics like Seneca, philosophy was seen as a kind of psychic medication, a way to cure the ‘sores of the soul.’ Practitioners of Stoicism can view themselves as patients who are constantly working to heal themselves and each other.
Fozzy’s Broken Soul reminds me of this attitude and highlights themes of fear and uncertainty. A broken soul can be healed by practising philosophy regularly.
Breaking Benjamin – Far Away
Hope start the heart
Last beat and lie
Cold walk the earth
Love faded white
Gave up the war
I realise
All will become
All will arise
Stay with me
I hear them call the tide
Take me in
I see the last divide
Hopelessly
I leave this soul behind
And I am paralysed
When the broken fall alive
Let the light take me too
The purpose of philosophy is to continually strive towards being better. The pleasure comes from the pursuit, not from reaching a certain level and in Stoicism this is represented by the idea of the Stoic sage.
This was a figure who’d achieved perfect enlightenment and the Stoic sage is an ideal to reach towards even though it’s a state that may never be attained.
Embarking on a journey of philosophy isn’t easy and the band Breaking Benjamin is wonderful at representing struggle, change and growth. Far Away is an amalgamation of earlier songs that have been blended together to create something new.
I like the idea of comparing this musical approach to the way that people can cherry-pick bits of wisdom from different perspectives and create their own philosophy of life.
Kaleo – I Want More
Homegrounds
Feels like the weight has been lifted away
But if she leaves me there I won’t run
Please pass it on
Carry me down
All you need to know is I want more
More
Looking for more
I want more, more
I want more
Wanting more in life is a natural human urge. It’s wanting more money, more property, more love, more relationships, more everything. The Stoics were critical of mindless consumerism and that all the wealth in the world couldn’t compare to being a good person at heart.
I Want More by Kaleo provides good commentary on how to want the important things in life. It’s about acquiring a great character, meaningful relationships and being satisfied with what you have.
Alterbridge – Metalingus
I’ve been defeated and brought down
Dropped to my knees when hope ran out
The time has come to change my ways
On this day I see clearly everything has come to life
A bitter place and a broken dream
And we’ll leave it all, leave it all behind
I’ll never long for what might have been
And now regret won’t waste my life again
I won’t look back
I’ll fight to remain
Everyone has their own way into philosophy. I had my lightbulb moment during the COVID-19 pandemic and found myself constantly anxious and depressed. I discovered Stoicism through listening to Ryan Holiday’s The Daily Stoic podcast and that opened my mind and helped me reassess what I wanted in life. Stoicism gave me the ability to see clearly.
Metalingus by Alterbridge is the perfect song for describing this clarity. It also happens to be the theme song of WWE wrestler Edge, who helped to spark a lifelong love and connection to the wrestling industry in me.
Spiritbox – Silk In The Strings
You wrap me up like silk in the strings that pluck me to feed
I escape, but I carry you with me
Harvest and bring a yield sickening
A mistake, but I carry you with me
Cut Byzantine, so brilliant
Fade ’cause it’s all temporary
Silk in the strings that pluck me to feed
Escape, I carry you with me
Looking back on the lives of the ancient Stoics is useful for understanding the principles of Stoicism. Seneca identified with Stoicism and much has been said of how he didn’t always practice what he preached under the reign of Nero.
Silk In The Strings by Spiritbox is a Senecan song and makes me think of the relationship between Seneca and Nero. Seneca was ensnared by Nero’s family, getting rich and wealthy as a political advisor.
Yet Seneca came to regret this life and wrote extensively on the evils of wealth and extravagance. Ultimately, he was forced to commit suicide and the work he left behind has continued to inspire and fascinate generations.
Eminem – Not Afraid
You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay ’em
But you won’t take the sting out these words before I say ’em
‘Cause ain’t no way I’m a let you stop me from causing mayhem
When I say I’m a do somethin’ I do it
I don’t give a damn what you think
I’m doin’ this for me, so fuck the world, feed it beans
It’s gassed up, if it thinks it’s stoppin’ me
I’mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me, I’m tearing down your balcony
No if, ands or buts, don’t try to ask him why or how can he
If I had to name my favourite musician of all time, it’s Eminem and Not Afraid is a phenomenal Stoic track. It’s a song for celebrating self-belief and enduring a life of hard knocks.
Florida Georgia Line – Life Rolls On
People come, people go
Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t
Either way the wind blows
You gotta love it
Ain’t gotta do it by yourself
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Even when it hurts like hell, gotta love it
Oh yeah
As long as my heart’s beating
And these old lungs keep breathing
The highs and the lows, yes and the nos
Only gonna make you strong
Life Rolls On by Florida Georgia Line contains a wealth of Stoic themes:
There’s an emphasis on focusing only on what you can control and not on what you can’t.
The ancient Stoics believed in the idea of eternal recurrence, meaning that everything that has happened once is sure to happen again.
The song celebrates a love of fate and that you should accept life for what it is as neither good nor bad. This is amor fati.
4 Rum Recommendations
1. Cor Cor Red Rum
Brand Story
Founded in 2004 by Yuko Kinjo, the Grace Distillery is located on the island of Minamidaito in Okinawa. The islands of Okinawa are synonymous with producing awamori, so venturing into the rum category was an intriguing step towards bringing more attention to the region.
Kinjo was focused on showcasing the natural ingredients of Minamidaito, which is why the rum has been produced from local sugarcane. Interestingly, sugarcane is the main product of the island, having been grown there since 1903.
The growth of the sugarcane is a partnership between herself and the Minamidaito Island Chamber of Commerce. Production is limited to once a year in order to preserve the crop in an environment that is prone to typhoons and extreme weather.
Craftsmanship
Cor Cor Red is a molasses-based, white rum distilled to show the local character of Minamidaito. Bottled at 40% ABV, the rum is beautifully packaged, with a poem on the label that tells the story of the island and its connection to spirits.
Bats, dancing in the night sky
Suspended magic, falling in drops
These are the things
That make men and women covet love
This is the magic of rum
A sugarcane love potion
Tasting notes
Cor Cor Red is intriguing from the moment the top comes off. The scent of rubber, black pepper and liquorice fill the air, transforming into a tropical aroma of peach, apple and banana. In the mouth, herbal notes become dominant. Mushroom, green pepper, rye bread, anise. After a couple of sips, there’s the unmistakable flavours of grapefruit and watermelon.
Drinking Cor Cor Red is like inhaling a tropical forest and then drinking it in one step at a time. There’s multiple layers that don’t always reveal themselves right away, a characteristic of Japanese rum that I appreciate. Cor Cor Red has a quiet dignity about it, unfolding gently and smoothly and actually reminded me of a lighter version of Rhum JM Blanc.
ABV: 40%
Origin: Okinawa
Variety: Molasses
Nose: Rubber, black pepper, peach, apple
Mouthfeel: Mushroom, rye bread, grapefruit, watermelon
2. Gold Of Mauritius Dark Rum
Brand Story
Gold of Mauritius is the brainchild of rum aficionado Frederic Bestel, a man who has dedicated his life to sourcing and producing high-quality spirits. Bestel’s family came from the north of France and arrived in Mauritius in 1800, carving out a plot of land for themselves. Through the generations, the Bestels turned their hands to rum-making, with a young Frederic helping his dad and grandad pick local fruits and spices for moonshine rum.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Frederic set out to create his own spirit and came up with a lychee-flavoured liqueur. This concoction inspired the name for his company Litchquor, which comes from the French word ‘litchee’ for lychee.
Bestel is extremely passionate about sharing the unique rum culture of Mauritius, a place with a long history of rum production.
Craftsmanship
Gold of Mauritius is blended from a range of unaged rums from small Mauritian distillers that Bestel personally selects. He then ages them in South African port barrels which still have port residue inside them for a period of one year. But this process is dependent on the barrels, as some have less port residue than others. This may require an ageing period of between 15 months.
After the initial ageing, Bestel chooses between 10 to 14 barrels and then blends the rum to create a consistent flavour. Caramel colouring is also added to the rum for consistency, as the port barrels can often give the finished product a red or orange shade.
Tasting Notes
The first note that struck me about this rum was a medicinal, rubbery scent. Sipping it revealed a tangy, pear quality. Pleasant, simple and no frills. Next came flavours of stone fruit and peach, which reminded me of Akashi Tai white oak red whisky because of its sweetness.
I also noted a bright, mild texture that arrived at the back of the throat, possibly the influence of the port casks.
If Gold of Mauritius dark rum were a person, it’d be that reliable friend who’s got your back at the bar. Easy to deal with, not overbearing and enough personality to make your night memorable.
ABV: 40%
Origin: Mauritius
Variety: Molasses
Nose: Rubber, ethanol, grass
Mouthfeel: Pear, peach, black pepper, stonefruit
3. Old Monk 7-years
Brand Story
The story of Old Monk goes back to 1855, when the father of Colonel Reginald Edward Harry Dyer of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Edward Abraham Dyer, set up a brewery in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Dyer set up his brewery with the intention of catering to British folks’ love of cheap beer.
The brewery ended up changing hands when HG Meakin bought the brewery in 1855, only for a merger to occur and the brand became Dyer Meakin. Fast forward to 1949 and the brand was bought by NN Meakin, who eventually changed the name to Mohan Meakin in 1967.
Old Monk rum was introduced in honour of a story about a kindly British monk who enjoyed inspecting the Mohan Meakin rum barrels. During the rum production period, the monk provided good company for the master distillers and they eventually taught the monk their secrets. His good advice helped to improve the overall quality of the rum and so a legend was born.
Old Monk went on to dominate the Indian alcohol market, becoming one of the world’s most popular rums. The brand has prided itself on its ‘word of mouth’ marketing tactics, preferring to let its reputation speak for it as opposed to flashy advertising.
Craftsmanship
The Old Monk 7-year is the brand’s flagship rum. It’s produced with molasses and aged for seven years in oak barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.
Tasting Notes
A strong hit of molasses, caramel and roasted coffee beans were detected on the nose. Chocolate and liquorice notes grabbed my attention on the first sip, building into a sensation of sweet warmth that spread through the mouth and made me nostalgic for my childhood. There were subtle chewy hints of bubblegum and Pick n’ Mix sweets that arrived in smooth waves.
Pepper and vanilla stuck around for the finish, a prickly sensation that crackled in the throat and made for a fine drinking experience.
Smooth and warming, it’s not hard to see why Old Monk 7-year has become such a powerhouse rum. It’s the perfect tipple for anyone who’d like to savour premium rum at a reasonable price.
ABV: 40%
Origin: India
Variety: Molasses
Style: Dark
Nose: Roasted coffee beans, molasses, caramel, toffee
Mouthfeel: Chocolate, pepper, liquorice, vanilla, bubblegum
4. Boukman Rhum
Brand Story
What I really love about this rhum is the rich story that has gone into making it. The name was inspired by Dutty Boukman, who led the Haitian Revolution in 1791. Boukman showed tremendous heart by casting off the chains of oppression and leading his people to a better future. This is captured by the script on the label, which reads “listen to the voice of freedom rising in our hearts.”
The brand was started in 2016 by Haiti native Josette Buffaret Thomas and Ireland born Adrian Keogh. Boukman was not only started to honour the island’s rich traditions, but to give rum aficionados an alternative to the more well-known Barbancourt.
Company account manager Garcelle Menos has said that Boukman’s mission is to “showcase Haiti as the lost world of rum. There’s a beauty and drinking culture there that has been left untouched and undiscovered for years.”
“The reason why we emphasise the mission is because it’s important for people to understand that Haiti doesn’t need a handout and we need people to live with dignity and income. We emphasise our partners because we don’t want to be the brand that just bottles Haitian rum. We are creating jobs and making sure they’re not living on two or three dollars a day, and are able to live sustainable lives and be secure.”
Craftsmanship
Boukman is produced from Haitian sugar cane and has important terroir from two locations. The first is the canefields of Croix des Bouquets in the south and the northern cane fields of Cap Haitien, where Dutty Boukman swore an oath of liberty and started the Haitian Revolution with rum.
The sugarcane is grown without fertiliser and cut by hand. Then, the cane is crushed in a steam engine, which runs on bagasse, providing a sustainable energy source. The fresh sugar cane juice is fermented for three days, distilled into clairin and then infused with barks, citrus peels and botanicals that are native to Haiti.
The ingredients are locally foraged and include boise bande, zou’devant, campeche, bois cochon, oak and bitter orange peel.
Tasting Notes
As soon as I removed the cork from the bottle, a pleasant spicy aroma filled the air. Hints of cinnamon and lemongrass.
A wave of spice washed through my mouth, carrying notes of orange peel, rosemary, coriander and cardamom. The herbal qualities were a welcome surprise and the sweeter notes of vanilla and caramel tempered the grassiness.
The finish is wonderfully dry and the woody notes really come alive at the back of the mouth. Boukman Rhum definitely makes it into my list of top ten rums for its complexity and smoothness. It’s the essence of Haiti distilled into a bottle.
ABV: 45%
Origin: Haiti
Style: Spiced
Variety: Agricole
Nose: Lemongrass, cinnamon, caramel
Mouthfeel: Orange peel, rosemary, coriander, cardamom, vanilla, caramel