Thanks everyone for letting me sit in. Just a quick background. My family is from the Caribbean (Barbados mostly, but I am sort of a Caribbean mutt), and peanut punch is a drink I grew up with. Castries is a contemporary take on this traditional drink. It is very much in the Caribbean "punch style" drinks. The heritage of peanut punch reaches back to West Africa and India (think peanut soup and the beverage tradition of Lassi), while similar creamed peanut applications can also be seen in Mexico, Peru (Ajis) as well as parts of Asia. As for your questions:
1) The peanut is extremely versatile, and we were really trying to maintain flexibility with the product. The notes should be complex, and include a subtle roasted flavor. The goal in flavor was to intrigue peanut lovers, but not overpower those on the fence. Also, a major goal was to stay true to the essence of what peanut punch tastes like (which can be difficult as it varies by island and even household). An finally, the flavor needed to be strong enough (though not overpowering) to stand up to other cocktail ingredients when mixed.
2) The peanuts are grown in the St. Lucian villages of Laborie and Choiseul.
3) Intent. We wanted to make a premium, and complex cream, that could stand alone or help innovate mixability for the category. The heritage and authenticity of the product was important also as we are standing on the shoulders of and existing beverage tradition.
I could talk forever about the intent point. We wanted to make cream relevant in the new cocktail culture (difficult, because there are few cream "classic" cocktails. Some believe its because of when pasteurization occurred in history. Others equate cream with premixed cocktail). We wanted a cream that mixologist and consumers would take seriously. Creams get a bad rap (I think) with some mixologists. With the varied ways that peanuts are used from a culinary perspective, we felt that cocktails that leveraged this tradition could be amazing. Not to mention, peanuts find there way into almost all cuisines. And while the primary relationship we have, as Americans, with peanuts is through ball parks, bar snacks, candy bars, and PB&J's, the peanut really has more to offer. Savory and sweet.
What we didn't want was to create a novelty. I never wanted people to think we looked at the back bar and said, "hmmm, what's missing? Ahhh, peanuts." The product has a unique heritage. It wasn't a lab project.
4) I like the product in different ways, based on my mood (and no, this is not a clever way to tell you about the cocktail range!!!). I have always liked Castries on the rocks. After that, mood dependent, I like a basic mix with a brown spirit (cognac, rum or bourbon. Oh and especially with Wild Turkey American Honey) or the very dessert like application with tawny port and a cream floater. Finally, while they do not appear on the website (which is a bit dated) I like savory applications alot.
At trade shows, we find people like Castries mixed with Patron XO Cafe or Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, in blended drinks, and anything that reminds them of an after school special or childhood favs (PB&J, Peanut Butter Cup, Mary Jane, Satisfaction, etc).
Honestly, I always say, try it on the rocks or with a slight chill first. Your palate will dictate where you go next (sweet or savory). Everyone who loves the texture of creams does not always love sweets or coffee.