11 across
Old
nip
of
rum
I
drink
too,
without
finishing
first
shots
(9)
Old nip of rum I drink too, without finishing first shots (9)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The definition is at the end of the clue.
How the clue works
The first shots here means original attempts. Build it up as a charade: O for 'Old', R for the nip (first letter) of 'rum', I lifted from the surface, GIN for 'drink', and ALSO ('too') with its finishing letter dropped to leave ALS. String them together for ORIGINALS.