Between needle & nose: tattoos, dragons and bananas in a jar

What do tattoos, airbrush art and Caribbean rum have in common? At first glance, not much - but Dimi Zaharcenko, artist and founder of Old Dragon Rum, combines them all in a single product: a handmade rum with a strong character, a hint of banana and soul. In this interview, Dimi reveals why the dragon is the perfect symbol for his brand, what fascinates him about rum - and how a tattoo artist became a spirit maker.

Dimi, you originally come from the tattoo world - how did you end up making rum?

Rum has long been more than just a drink for me - it was culture, passion and inspiration. At some point, I came to the point where I didn't just want to enjoy it, I wanted to create it myself. Together with my brother Stefan Koppel, I have already set up two studios - SK-Brush (airbrush & pinstriping) and 2Brothers Ink (tattoo & piercing). This taught me to put my heart and soul into starting new projects and making them successful. Through important contacts and conversations, I was finally inspired to try something completely new: my own premium drink.

And yet: tattoos, airbrushing and rum have a lot in common - it's always about craftsmanship, individuality and personality. So I started to develop my own rum - and at the end of 2024, Old Dragon became a reality. For me, this was not a break, but a further development. Whether it's a tattoo or rum: in the end, it's about creating something that tells a story, bears my signature and stands for quality.

When did your passion for rum originally begin?

It started when I was traveling, especially through my work as a tattoo artist at sea on board the TUI Mein Schiff fleet. I traveled a lot and got to know the variety of Caribbean rums - from sweet and playful to deep and complex. I realized that rum can be so much more than a simple drink. The idea of creating something of my own has stayed with me ever since. At some point, I realized that I no longer wanted something standard, but something truly unique. At that moment it was clear - now is the starting signal for Old Dragon.

What do tattoos and rum have in common?

Both are expressions of personality. A tattoo is worn under the skin, rum is enjoyed in a glass - but both involve creativity, craftsmanship and passion. Just like pinstriping or airbrush custom paint, the aim is to create something unique that will last forever.

Tattooing and rum making share a love of detail: with tattoos it's the line and shading, with rum it's the flavors and balance. In the end, both forms are art - just in different ways.

How can connoisseurs tell that Old Dragon Rum bears your signature?

The blend of strength and elegance. Old Dragon is full of character, with an exotic banana note and real spices - but at the same time harmonious and finely tuned. Just like with tattooing, I look for a balance between expression and style.

As I have developed my rum entirely according to my personal taste, it meets my exact requirements. The connoisseur notices this immediately: Old Dragon is not arbitrary, it has personality. It may even polarize - and that is exactly what I wanted. It stays in your head, just like a good tattoo.

Old Dragon Rum combines Caribbean influences with Swabian craftsmanship - born out of passion, refined with character.

Banana, exotic, powerful - how did the flavor profile come about?

Right from the start, I wanted to create a rum that clearly stands out from the crowd. I was immediately fascinated by the banana distillate: natural, exotic, but at the same time familiar. Together with real vanilla and fine spices, a profile was created that is warm, full of character and unmistakable.

When I looked at the market, I noticed how often artificial flavors are used - and that's exactly where I wanted to create an antithesis: authentic, natural and artisanal.

Why Venezuela and Jamaica in particular?

Because both countries bring completely different characters to rum - which complement each other perfectly. Jamaica stands for strength, spice and depth. Venezuela, on the other hand, stands for elegance, softness and almost creamy textures. The result is a rum that combines both strength and harmony. It is precisely these contrasts that I wanted to play with - wild and untamed meets smooth and balanced. For me, that is Old Dragon.

The dragon is very central to the branding - why?

For me, the dragon symbolizes strength, mysticism and adventure - exactly what Rum embodies. It's also a strong image that immediately evokes emotions and arouses curiosity.

And there is also a personal level: I was born in the Year of the Dragon. Characteristics such as strength, creativity, mysticism and the desire to explore have been with me all my life - be it in tattooing, pinstriping or in my travels. The dragon reflects this energy perfectly.

Pot still and column still - how would you explain that?

Put simply: Pot Still is like rock'n'roll - powerful, wild, full of character. Column Still is like classical music - precise, clean and elegant. Together they create a harmonious concert in the glass. When you combine both methods, you get the best of both worlds: Depth and complexity paired with clarity and smoothness.

Or even more specifically: Pot still brings intense aromas, column still provides structure and balance. Together, they create a rum that surprises, impresses - and remains in the memory.

40 % vol. - how important is the alcohol content?

Very important. With too little alcohol, the rum comes across as flat, with too much it quickly becomes sharp. For me, 40 % vol. is the perfect point: strong enough to carry the character of the aromas, but round enough to remain pleasant and accessible on its own.

What do you recommend to rum beginners?

Take your time. Rum is an experience - best enjoyed neat, at room temperature and in small sips. That way you gradually discover the variety of flavors.

My tip: stay curious, taste consciously and discover your own taste - enjoy in peace without any preconceptions.