Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits

Introduction & What the Bundle Is

The Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits is a curated spirits & book package combining two premium rums from the Ten To One brand and a cocktail / spirits culture book called Kindred Spirits. The bundle is offered by retailers like Caskers. (Caskers)

The goal is to offer not just spirits to drink, but a narrative and cultural context — a kind of “spirits + stories” package. One might view it as appealing to rum lovers, cocktail enthusiasts, and people interested in the stories and diversity behind bartending and Black mixology.

Here’s what the bundle includes (according to the product listing):

• Ten To One White Rum — extra‑proof, unaged blend (Dominican + Jamaican) finished in ex‑bourbon casks, filtered to remove color. No additives / sugar / artificial flavor. (Caskers)

• Ten To One Dark Rum — aged blend (Barbados, Dominican, Jamaican, Trinidad) in ex‑bourbon casks, no additives. (Caskers)

• Kindred Spirits (book) — a collection of stories, quotes, and recipes from 28 bartenders of color, each contributing recipes and narratives. The book is meant to celebrate Black history in bartending and cocktail culture. (Caskers)

The bundle is marketed primarily through Caskers, with emphasis on the quality of the rums, ethical production (no additives), and the cultural / social storytelling of Kindred Spirits. (Caskers)

Brand Background: Ten To One

To understand the bundle, it’s important to know the brand behind the spirits.

• Founder and Vision: Ten To One was founded in 2019 by Marc Farrell, a Trinidadian who lived in the Caribbean and later in the U.S. The brand name “Ten To One” comes from a phrase by Trinidad and Tobago’s first Prime Minister, referencing unity and solidarity. Farrell’s vision includes “broadening and challenging the perception around rum and the occasions for which it might be considered a spirit of choice.” (Caskers)

• Philosophy: The brand emphasizes producing premium, elevated rums that defy cliché tropes (pirates, rum tropes) and to tell Caribbean cultural stories through rum. (Caskers)

• No Additives / No Sugar: Part of the marketing is that their rums use no additives, no sugar, no artificial color or flavoring. (Caskers)

• Blends & Finishing: The white rum is an unaged blend (Dominican column + Jamaican pot still), finished in ex‑bourbon casks, then filtered to remove color. The dark rum is a blend of aged rums from multiple islands (8YO Barbados, Dominican column, Jamaican, Trinidad), aged in ex‑bourbon barrels. (Caskers)

• Awards & Recognition:
  • The white rum expression was named “Most Awarded Rum of 2021” and “Best of Class” in the 2020 LA Spirits Awards. (Caskers)
  • The dark rum expression has won Gold Medals at SF World Spirits Competition and Sip Awards, and been rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast. (Caskers)

The brand’s intent is not just to sell rum, but to position it as premium, culturally resonant, and transparent in its production approach.

Detailed Profile & Tasting Notes of the Components

Ten To One White Rum

Production & Type:

• It is unaged, meaning the base rums are not matured (i.e. no significant barrel aging).

• It is a blend of Dominican column‑still rum and Jamaican pot still rum.

• It is finished in ex‑bourbon casks — meaning some of the aged barrel flavor is imparted, though then filtered to remove color.

• After finishing, the rum is filtered (to remove color) so it appears “white / clear.”

• No additives, sugar, artificial color or flavoring used. (Caskers)

• Designed for mixing (cocktails) but also praised for complexity. (Caskers)

Tasting Notes:

• Nose / Aroma: Pepper, jasmine, citrus, coriander, lemongrass — fresh and slightly herbal/spice notes. (Caskers)

• Palate / Taste: Citrus, banana, spice. A lively fruitiness with warming spice, balanced. (Caskers)

• Finish: Warming, lingering fruit and spice.

• The white rum is described as “much more complex than all the other white rums we’ve ever tasted.” — VinePairquote. (Caskers)

This is not a simple white rum. The finishing in bourbon casks and blend of column + pot still gives more flavor than a typical white rum.

Ten To One Dark Rum

Production & Type:

• It’s a blend of several aged rums: 8YO Barbados, Dominican column still, Jamaican pot still, Trinidad rum.

• Aged in ex‑bourbon casks.

• No additives, no sugar, no artificial flavors. (Caskers)

Tasting Notes:

• Nose / Aroma: Banana, spice, apple, toffee, nutty notes. (Caskers)

• Palate / Taste: Toffee, nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, leather; fruit sweetness balanced with oak/wood influence. (Caskers)

• Finish: Dry and lingering with caramel and spice.

• The dark rum is praised as “an extraordinary sipper and mixer… not overly sweet with just a hint of Jamaican rum funk.” — Esquire quote. (Caskers)

So the dark rum offers more depth, complexity, and the aged / oak influence is more central, making it suitable both for sipping and in cocktails.

Kindred Spirits Book

What It Is:

• The book Kindred Spirits is a curated collection of quotes, stories, and cocktail recipes from 28 bartenders of color. This aspect gives a cultural, community, and narrative dimension to the bundle. (Caskers)

• The contributions include each bartender’s recipes, possibly their ethos and backstory.

• It is designed to be both inspirational and functional (i.e. usable in the bar). (InsideHook)

• Also, there is a collab riff: Ten To One’s dark rum gets a finish in Uncle Nearest 1856 barrels as part of the collaboration with Kindred Spirits. That expression has notes of honey, walnut, crème brûlée, vanilla, black currant, and charred oak. (InsideHook)

Thus, the book is not just decoration — it connects the spirits with mixology, culture, identity, and bartending heritage.

“People Also Ask”‑Style Questions & Answers

Below are some of the common questions people ask about Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits, with detailed answers and observations.

1. What is the Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits?

Answer:
This is a combined offering that includes two Ten To One rum expressions (White and Dark) plus the Kindred Spiritsbook, which features contributions from 28 Black bartenders (recipes, stories). It’s a package aiming to deliver premium rum experiences along with cultural and mixology insight. (Caskers)

2. What is in the bundle — what rums?

Answer:

• Ten To One White Rum: Unaged blend of Dominican and Jamaican rums, finished in ex‑bourbon casks, then filtered for clarity.

• Ten To One Dark Rum: Blend of aged rums from Barbados, Dominican, Jamaican, Trinidad, aged in ex‑bourbon casks.

• Kindred Spirits book: 28 bartenders of color contribute recipes and stories.

3. How are the rums made (aging, finishing, additives)?

Answer:

• The white rum is unaged, finished in ex‑bourbon casks, then filtered; no additives, no sugar, no artificial coloring.

• The dark rum is aged, blended from aged rums, aged in ex‑bourbon casks. Also no additives / no sugar.

• One twist: in a special version, the dark rum is given a finish in Uncle Nearest 1856 barrels, which gives additional flavor dimensions (honey, walnut, vanilla, black currant, char oak). (InsideHook)

4. What do the rums taste like?

Answer:

• White Rum: Spice, citrus, banana, herbal notes (pepper, lemongrass). Fresh, lively, with fruit/spice character.

• Dark Rum: Toffee, nuts, vanilla, dried fruit, spice, tobacco / leather undertones, oak influence.

The dark is richer, more complex; the white is more vibrant and suited for cocktails, though with depth.

5. What is the Kindred Spirits book / what’s inside?

Answer:
Kindred Spirits is a compilation of narratives, quotes, and cocktail recipes from 28 Black bartenders. It celebrates their mixology, heritage, and stories. It functions as both a cocktail book and a cultural book. (Caskers)

In particular, the collaboration includes the rum finishing in Uncle Nearest barrels, giving a crossover bridge to bourbon / whiskey lovers. (InsideHook)

6. Is this bundle worth it?

Answer:
This depends on what you value:

• If you value the liquid quality of premium rums, the stories, the cultural dimension, and enjoy curated bundles, then yes, the bundle likely gives you more than a simple two‑bottle purchase.

• If your priority is maximal flavor per cost, or you already know which one of the rums you prefer, the bundle premium (with the book) might feel partly for packaging / narrative. But many see it as a good deal relative to buying each piece separately.

7. Can the white rum be sipped, or is it only for mixing?

Answer:
Though the white rum is designed for mixing (and marketed as such), given its finishing and complexity, many reviewers mention it as “complex white rum” and suggest it can elevate rum‑forward cocktails. That said, for sipping, the dark rum is likely more appropriate. (Caskers)

8. What is the ABV / proof of the rums?

Answer:
The dark rum is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV). (Caskers)

The white rum’s full proof is not always clearly stated in the bundle listing, but it is described as “extra proof” in some sources, or possibly higher than 80 (depending on batch). (Caskers)

9. What’s special about the rum finishing in Uncle Nearest barrels?

Answer:
This finishing is a collaborative twist: the dark rum is given extra aging / finish in Uncle Nearest 1856 barrels, which impart honey, walnut, crème brûlée, vanilla, black currant, and char oak notes, bridging bourbon flavor tradition with rum base. This expression appeals especially to both bourbon and rum fans. (InsideHook)

10. How much does the bundle cost / what is its value?

Answer:
On Caskers, the Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits is listed (or was) as a limited supply item; exact price varies. (Caskers)

The screenshot doesn’t show the exact price in that listing (out of stock), but the standard Ten To One Bundle (without the book) is ~$60.99 for 1500 mL across the two bottles (i.e. combined). (Caskers)

So the bundle including the book adds premium. Whether that premium is “worth it” depends on your interest in the book and narrative content.

Strengths & Weaknesses of the Bundle

Here’s a breakdown of what the bundle does well and where its limitations might lie.

Strengths

1. Combined value: Getting two premium rums + a cocktail / culture book together is attractive — both liquid + content.

2. Cultural / narrative depth: The inclusion of Kindred Spirits elevates the offering beyond just spirits — there’s heritage, identity, stories of bartenders, which many consumers appreciate.

3. Quality rums: Ten To One is positioning itself in the premium space, with no additives, thoughtful finishing, and honors of awards.

4. Innovation & crossover appeal: The collaboration with Uncle Nearest barrel finishing adds bourbon crossover appeal.

5. Gifting appeal: As a bundle, it’s a strong gift — the packaging, book, bottle pair make it impressive.

Weaknesses / Trade‑Offs

1. Price markup for bundle / narrative: Some of what you pay is for added book, packaging, branding — not all liquid. The premium may be high in some markets.

2. White rum’s limited sipping credence: White rums are often less satisfying neat; while this one has complexity, many buyers may prefer the dark for sipping.

3. Availability / export / shipping cost: As a bundle, it may be harder to find outside primary markets; import/shipping could make it expensive locally.

4. Risk of overvaluation of story vs substance: Some consumers skeptical of “bottle story, limited edition hype” may feel the actual value is lower than marketed.

5. Book may be irrelevant to some: If one only cares about spirits, the book might seem optional, and you’re paying extra for something you may not use.

Comparison with Similar Bundles or Spirit + Book Combos

To see how this bundle stacks up, consider analogous packages in the spirits world.

• Some whiskey brands release “spirit + book” bundles celebrating distillery history, cocktail culture, etc. The key difference is in how much substance the book has and whether the spirits are premium.

• Premium rum gift sets typically include multiple bottlings (white, aged, cask finish) but rarely include a literary / cultural component. So Ten To One + Kindred Spirits stands out.

• Bundles often reduce per unit cost — you get two bottles cheaper than buying separately — here, the book is extra but the bundle may still offer relative value if you value the book.

• From a collector’s view, such bundles may have higher shelf / resale value because of their uniqueness.

Criticisms, Community Feedback & Potential Pitfalls

While the bundle is well received by many, there are critical perspectives worth noting.

• Some scepticism exists around spirit marketing: that special editions, collaborations, and storytelling sometimes obscure whether the liquid is exceptional or just packaged well. Some community members voice concern that the premium paid is disproportionate to the actual difference in spirit.

• In InsideHook, the rum collaboration is praised, but the article also emphasizes the importance of continuing to bring attention to bartenders of color, implying that the cultural element should not be superficial. (InsideHook)

• Some drinkers might find the white rum less satisfying as a sipping spirit compared to traditional aged rums.

• In luxury spirits circles, there are debates about whether finishing or barrel manipulations override spirit character; some purists prefer minimal finishing or straight aged expression.

Evaluating the Bundle: Is It Right for You?

To decide whether Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits is a good purchase, consider these factors:

What kind of drinker or buyer you are:

• If you are interested in both the liquid and the story, and like to read cocktail/bartender stories, you’ll derive more value.

• If you are primarily flavor‑focused and less interested in cultural or storytelling extras, the bundle’s extra cost for the book might feel less justified.

• If you enjoy collecting, limited or collaborative items, this bundle has strong appeal.

• If your local market has high import taxes or markups, check whether you’d pay too much compared to standalone bottles you already enjoy.

What your taste preferences lean toward:

• If you prefer aged, rich rums, the dark expression will likely appeal more than the white.

• If you enjoy mixing cocktails, the white’s complexity adds more character to drinks than many white rums.

• If you dislike heavy oak or finishing, some of the finishing (especially Uncle Nearest barrel finish) may seem too forward.

How the pricing compares:

• Compare the cost of buying the two rums individually + buying Kindred Spirits separately. If the bundle gives you savings (or extra value), it’s more attractive.

• Factor in shipping, import duties, local taxes. The effective cost in your region may change the bundle’s appeal.

• Also consider whether the book has value to you — if you won’t read or use it, that part of the cost may be wasted from your perspective.

How often you’ll use it vs stock it:

• If this bundle is more of a display / special occasion item rather than everyday sipping, that may affect how much value you place on it.

• Some bundles are best enjoyed soon after opening (so the liquid doesn’t degrade in secondary market stock).

Conclusion

Ten To One Bundle + Kindred Spirits is a bold and thoughtful offering that blends premium spirits and cultural storytelling. It’s more than just a two‑bottle set: it weaves in narratives, cocktail recipes, and the voices of bartenders of color, making it a bundle for both the palate and the mind.

The rums themselves are well crafted — the white is a surprising and flavorful “complex white rum” with finishing depth, while the dark is richer, aged, and versatile for sipping or mixing. The addition of the Kindred Spirits book gives a meaningful dimension beyond taste: heritage, creativity, recognition of mixology communities.

For many drinkers, spirit lovers, and collectors, this bundle likely gives excellent value: you get quality rum, plus a narrative piece you might not otherwise have. For those whose focus is purely on liquid flavor per dollar, the added cost for the book might feel less essential, but even then the bundle can still be a compelling package.