In old Venezuela, the mantuanos were the top tier of Creole landowners, famous for their refined taste and their love of the very best the land had to offer.

Expert description

Diplomatico Mantuano is a Blended Rum from Venezuela, composed of distillates from several different still types and bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from the DUSA distillery in La Miel at the foot of the Andes, where Diplomático blends distillates from column stills, a rare batch kettle and traditional pot stills. Mantuano is the brand's best-selling expression and works as a calling card for the whole range: a blend of younger and older rums, matured in oak casks that previously held bourbon and malt whisky, for up to 8 years. The name pays tribute to Don Juancho Nieto Meléndez, known as "El Mantuano," and to the old Venezuelan upper class's appreciation of quality.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried fruit, plum and light oak spice, with a hint of vanilla and caramel in the background.

Palate

Soft and round, with dark caramel, dried apricots and a light nutty sweetness, seasoned with baking spice.

Finish

Long and rich, with oak and dark fruit that linger well after the last sip.

Distillery: Diplomático
Region/Country: Venezuela
Type: Blended Rum
Age: Up to 8 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and ex-malt whisky oak casks
EAN no.: 5099873027189
Serving suggestion: On the rocks or in a Rum Old Fashioned

Flavour profile

Fruity · Round · Caramel · Spiced

Did you know?

Diplomático has access to a rare distillation source called a batch kettle, a type of still found in only a handful of places worldwide, which gives the rum a heavy, aromatic character before it is blended with the lighter column and pot still distillates.

See our full range of Diplomático

HMS Formidable was Admiral George Rodney's own flagship at the Battle of the Saintes, where the French fleet was driven back in 1782. Fittingly, the Formidable bottling is the oldest and most full-bodied in the Admiral Rodney series.

Expert Description

Admiral Rodney HMS Formidable is a St Lucia Rum aged in American bourbon barrels and bottled at 40%.

Behind the rum stands St Lucia Distillers, which blends rums distilled on Coffey stills and aged for up to twelve years in American white oak. As the flagship expression of the series, HMS Formidable is the oldest and most complex blend in the range, named after Rodney's own command ship during the decisive victory over the French.

The long ageing in bourbon barrels gives a deep, honeyed character, where raisin, walnut and a hint of tobacco leaf mingle with the classic sweetness of the oak.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honeyed sweetness with raisins, vanilla, nutmeg and a hint of walnut and dark chocolate.

Palate

Rich and oaky with honey, cinnamon, dark chocolate and a lightly bitter note of coffee beans.

Finish

Long with tobacco leaf, oak and a final caramel sweetness fading gently out.

Specifications

Name: Admiral Rodney HMS Formidable
Distillery: St Lucia Distillers
Region/Country: St Lucia
Type: Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American bourbon barrels
EAN: 5060184940863
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat at room temperature, ideally as a nightcap

Flavour Profile

Rich · Honeyed · Oaky · Spiced · Complex

Did You Know?

HMS Formidable was the ship Admiral Rodney himself commanded from during the Battle of the Saintes, making this particular bottle in the series a tribute to the admiral's own flagship.

See our full range of Admiral Rodney

The Battle of the Saintes in 1782 turned Admiral George Rodney into a naval hero, and on St Lucia his name and his ships still lend their honour to the island's rum. HMS Monarch was one of the vessels that made a difference that day.

Expert Description

Admiral Rodney HMS Monarch is a St Lucia Rum aged in ex-bourbon and port wine barrels and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by St Lucia Distillers and is a blend of Coffey still rums aged between six and nine years before being married into the finished blend. Some of the barrels previously held port wine, giving a clear streak of red berries and dark fruit on top of the classic bourbon-barrel character of vanilla and caramel.

The name HMS Monarch honours one of the ships in Admiral Rodney's fleet during the Battle of the Saintes, where the British defeated the French fleet in 1782, a victory still celebrated in the naming of the Admiral Rodney series.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla and caramel meet red and black berries, with a sweet hint of dried sultanas.

Palate

Full-bodied and balanced with brown sugar, dark chocolate, candied fruit and a light tannic structure from the port casks.

Finish

Long and sweet with tropical spices and a final hint of oak.

Specifications

Name: Admiral Rodney HMS Monarch
Distillery: St Lucia Distillers
Region/Country: St Lucia
Age: 11 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex-bourbon and port wine barrels
EAN: 5060184940900
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat at room temperature or with a single ice cube

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Sweet · Berry-forward · Spiced · Balanced

Did You Know?

The entire Admiral Rodney series is named after ships from Rodney's fleet at the Battle of the Saintes, where HMS Monarch was among the vessels that took part in the decisive British victory over France.

See our full range of Admiral Rodney

A handful of raisins, a spoonful of honey and seven years of rest on American oak – that is the recipe behind this small, sweet indulgence from Albert Michler.

Expert description

A. Michler Ron Espero Elixir is a Spirit Drink built on a 7 year old Añejo rum matured in American oak casks, infused with raisins that have macerated in alcohol and bottled at 34%.

Elixir belongs to the Ron Espero range from the German bottler Albert Michler, which has refined Caribbean and Latin American rum since the 1800s. Because the raisins are macerated separately before being blended into the aged rum, the drink gains a rich sweetness without drowning the rum's own character. At 34% ABV it sits below the classic threshold for rum, so it is correctly sold as a Spirit Drink rather than rum.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet raisins and honey unfold immediately, backed by a gentle caramel sweetness from the oak.

Palate

Fruity and sweet with raisins in front, sherry-like notes and a touch of honey tying it together.

Finish

Long and soft, the raisin sweetness slowly giving way to a dry, lightly oaked close.

Specifications

Bottler: Albert Michler Distillery
Type: Spirit Drink
ABV: 34%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American Oak
EAN no.: 8594009451359
Serving suggestion: Best served at room temperature or over ice, lovely with dessert

Flavour profile

Sweet · Raisin · Honey · Rich · Soft

Did you know?

The raisins in Elixir are macerated on their own for a full month before being blended into the aged rum – a method closer to a liqueur kitchen than a traditional distillery.

See our full range of A. Michler

An elegant blend of Caribbean rum aged between 12 and 18 years, composed using the traditional solera method in a limited release.

Expert Description

A. Michler Ron Espero XO Extra Añejo Limitada is a Caribbean Blended Rum matured 12-18 years in a solera system, bottled at 40%.

The rum is an elegant blend of Caribbean distillates aged between 12 and 18 years, composed using the traditional solera method, where younger and older vintages are continuously blended through a system of stacked casks. This limited release highlights the rum's fruity, honeyed character combined with a deep, spiced oak complexity.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Delicate with notes of tropical fruit, banana, citrus fruits and coconut, plus pronounced sweet honey.

Palate

Full-bodied and harmonious with raisins, honey, chocolate, toffee and spiced oak.

Finish

Long-lasting, smooth and elegant with sweet and woody nuances.

Specifications

Name: A. Michler Ron Espero XO Extra Añejo Limitada
Region/Country: Caribbean
Type: Blended Rum
Age: 12-18 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Solera system
EAN no.: 742832695954
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat at room temperature in a snifter glass

Bottler: Ron Espero

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Honeyed · Spicy · Full-bodied · Elegant

Did You Know?

The term "Limitada" underlines that this XO edition is a limited release within the Ron Espero range, where the solera method ensures that every bottle carries traces of rum older than the stated 12-18 years.

See our full range of Rum

A single cane variety, grown for its own sake. Canne Bleue is Clément's tribute to a cane variety that's harder to grow, but that delivers a far more intense rum in return.

Expert Description

Clément Rhum Agricole Blanc Canne Bleue is a Martinique Rhum Agricole Blanc distilled exclusively from the blue cane variety and bottled at 50%.

Canne Bleue, or "blue cane", is an older and less widely grown variety than the more common cane typically used in rhum agricole. The variety is known for a lower yield and for being more sensitive to weather conditions, but in return it delivers a markedly more intense and aromatic juice. Clément has chosen to bottle this edition uncut at 50%, a higher strength than the house's standard Blanc, precisely to let the cane variety's full character shine through.

The result is a rum that's even sharper and more mineral than the classic Rhum Blanc Agricole, with an intensity that demands respect.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Exotic fruit mixed with orange blossom, softened by light honey, along with pink pepper, green apples and fresh cane juice.

Palate

Lively, dry and powerful with lime, herbs, white pepper and mineral freshness, supported by meringue and cucumber.

Finish

Long and clearly structured, with earthy and herbal nuances and a tingling pepper.

Specifications

Name: Clément Rhum Agricole Blanc Canne Bleue
Distillery: Clément
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole Blanc
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Column distillation of fresh cane juice from the Canne Bleue variety
Serving Suggestion: As the base of a powerful Ti' Punch

Flavour Profile

Mineral · Sharp · Herbal · Fruity · Powerful

Did You Know?

The Canne Bleue variety is today grown only on select fields around Habitation Clément, because its low yield makes it economically less attractive than modern, more robust cane varieties, making this edition something of a rarity within rhum agricole.

See our full range of Clément

A seven-year-old molasses rum forms the foundation of this liqueur, where soft, exotic coconut meets the rum's depth and complexity.

Expert Description

A. Michler Ron Espero Coconut & Rum is a Coconut Rum Liqueur from the Dominican Republic, bottled at 40%.

The liqueur is made on the basis of a seven-year-old molasses rum, combined with natural coconut to create a balance between the rum's depth and the coconut's soft, exotic sweetness. The result is a liqueur where the mature rum base adds complexity, while the coconut provides a light, tropical airiness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense coconut aroma accompanied by vanilla, caramel and lightly spiced notes.

Palate

Soft and full-bodied with creamy coconut, sweet vanilla and a mild spiciness, where the mature rum base adds depth and complexity, complemented by fruity notes of ripe berries, raisins, fresh coconut milk and nuts.

Finish

Long-lasting, smooth and sweet with tropical flavours and a hint of oak.

Specifications

Name: A. Michler Ron Espero Coconut & Rum
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum Liqueur
Age: 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 0742832833271
Serving suggestion: Enjoy chilled, on the rocks or as a base for tropical cocktails

Distillery: Ron Espero

Flavour Profile

Coconut · Sweet · Full-bodied · Spicy · Tropical

Did You Know?

The Ron Espero range includes several fruit and coconut liqueurs, all built on the same seven-year-old Dominican rum base, ensuring a recognisable quality across the flavour variants.

See our full range of Rum

Ambar is the lighter, more accessible side of Zacapa, made to introduce Guatemalan Solera craft without overwhelming.

Expert description

Ron Zacapa Ambar 12 Solera Reserva is a Ron de Guatemala matured in a Sistema Solera and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced in the Guatemalan highlands at altitudes of up to 2,300 metres, where the cool climate slows evaporation and allows a gentler, slower maturation than in many other rum-producing countries. The Ambar expression is composed as a lighter, fresher and fruitier variant of the house style compared to the darker, heavier Centenario releases, and is sold here in a 100 cl bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light and fresh with citrus, honey, vanilla and a touch of oak.

Palate

Soft and balanced with notes of dried fruit, caramel, honey and a discreet spiciness, plus hints of orange peel, almond and cinnamon.

Finish

Medium length, velvety and pleasantly sweet.

Specifications

Distillery: Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala
Region/Country: Guatemala
Type: Ron de Guatemala
ABV: 40%
Size: 100 CL
EAN no.: 7401005010590
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in a light rum cocktail

Flavour profile

Light · Fresh · Fruity · Honeyed · Soft

Did you know?

Zacapa's rum isn't matured at sea level like most other Caribbean rums, but in the Guatemalan highlands, where a phenomenon called "the Angel's Share above the Clouds" means the casks lose less alcohol to evaporation than in the warmer tropical lowlands.

See our full range of Ron Zacapa

Cincuenta means fifty in Spanish, and the name refers directly to the bottle's strength: the most powerful release from Ron Millonario.

Expert description

Ron Millonario 10 Aniversario Cincuenta is a Rum from Peru, based on the same recipe as the house's 10 Aniversario Reserva, but bottled at 50%.

The rum is a more intense and concentrated version of Ron Millonario's 10 Aniversario, built on the same secret blend of rum matured in ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry Jerez casks from Hacienda Agricola in Chiclayo. The higher strength makes it the most powerful expression in Ron Millonario's range and well suited to cocktails that call for a more structured spirit. The bottle carries the same modern, elegant design as 10 Aniversario Reserva, but with a gold rather than black glass stopper.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet fruit, vanilla and chocolate, with deeper notes from the sherry casks.

Palate

Powerful and structured, with dried fruit, vanilla, chocolate and raisin.

Finish

Warm and lingering, with spiced intensity from the high strength.

Distillery: Pomalca
Region/Country: Peru
Type: Rum
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry Jerez casks
EAN no.: 8033749405012
Serving suggestion: Neat or in structured cocktails

Flavour profile

Powerful · Sweet · Spiced · Full-bodied

Did you know?

The name Cincuenta, Spanish for fifty, refers to the rum's strength of 50%, making it the strongest bottling in the entire Ron Millonario range.

See our full range of Ron Millonario

Veritas is Velier's answer to a question many bars keep asking: can a white rum stay true to style and still be easy to work with?

Expert description

Veritas White Blended Rum is a Blended Rum composed of three distillates and bottled at 47%.

The rum is a blend of coffey still distillate from Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, pot still distillate from the same distillery matured 2 years in ex-bourbon casks, and unaged pot still distillate from Hampden Estate in Jamaica. All three components are distilled, matured, blended and bottled in the Caribbean with no added sugar, flavouring or neutral spirit, making Veritas a white rum with real character rather than a neutral base spirit.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh with ice cream soda sweetness and a clean, grassy undertone, plus buttercream, banana cream, golden apples and dried pineapple.

Palate

Fresh and intensely fruity with whipped cream underneath, freshly sliced pineapple, overripe bananas and pears, combined with a hint of liquorice and spiced wood.

Finish

Clean and dry with a light funky finish from the Hampden component, balanced by Foursquare's softer character.

Specifications

Bottler: Velier
Region/Country: Barbados/Jamaica
Type: Blended Rum
ABV: 47%
Size: 70 CL
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 3700597308189
Serving suggestion: In a Daiquiri or other classic cocktail

Flavour profile

Fresh · Fruity · Funky · Clean · Dry

Did you know?

Veritas deliberately combines two entirely different Jamaican and Barbadian rum styles in one bottle, where Foursquare's softness tames Hampden's raw funk without the rum losing its identity, a balancing act Velier underlines with the name Veritas, Latin for "truth".

See our full range of Velier

Hampden is where Jamaican rum pulls no punches – wild fermentation, copper pot stills and a funk that can't be mistaken for anything else.

Expert description

Hampden Estate 8 Year is a Pure Single Jamaican Rum distilled on pot still and bottled at 46%.

The rum comes from Hampden Estate in Trelawny, Jamaica, a distillery with roots dating back to 1753, known for its traditional high-ester production method using wild fermentation and nothing but its own spring water added. The rum is tropically matured for at least 8 years right at the distillery, with no added sugar or other additives, giving it the raw, intense character that has become a Hampden trademark.

Tasting notes

Nose

Flambéed banana and caramelised mango followed by petrol-like and milky notes, underpinned by green bananas, apples and lightly fermented pineapple.

Palate

Dry and full-bodied with old wood, tropical fruit and resin, carried by a funky, ester-driven character from traditional pot still distillation.

Finish

Smoky and lightly salty with spice and dried fruit, where the tannins add extra substance.

Specifications

Distillery: Hampden Estate
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Rum
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Pot still
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 3700597351307
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass or a tiki cocktail

Flavour profile

Funky · Tropical Fruit · Smoky · Dry · Intense

Did you know?

Hampden Estate measures its rums by ester content, a unit for the aromatic compounds that give the signature funk, and the distillery's styles can reach ester levels among the highest in the entire rum world.

See our full range of Hampden Estate

A glass comes included in the box. A small detail, but it means the bottle is ready to be given away the same evening it is opened.

Expert description

Dictador 10 Years is a Rum from Colombia, matured using the solera method in used oak casks and bottled at 40%, here in a gift set with a glass.

The rum is made from a blend of molasses and sugar cane, distilled in steel columns and matured through the solera system, where rum from different casks and vintages is blended in stages. Behind the bottle stands Destilería Colombiana in Cartagena, founded in 1913 with over a hundred years of experience producing rum. The gift set comes with a single glass, so the bottle is ready to be enjoyed or given away right away.

Tasting notes

Nose

Soft caramel, honey, dried fruit, roasted coffee and oak.

Palate

Round and creamy, with caramel, cocoa, honey, coffee and oak in a complex whole.

Finish

Long and warm, with lingering sweetness.

Region/Country: Colombia
Type: Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Used oak casks, solera method

Flavour profile

Round · Creamy · Sweet · Complex

Did you know?

The solera method Dictador uses to mature its rum originally comes from sherry production in Spain and was later carried over to rum and brandy production in Latin America.

See our full range of Dictador

Over a hundred years of history and a rum filtered completely pale despite its long maturation. That is Dictador's signature.

Expert description

Dictador Claro is a Rum from Colombia, matured 100 months using the solera method in used oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum is made from pure sugar cane juice and matured for more than 8 years, after which it is filtered so it appears clear and pale despite the long maturation. Behind the rum stands Destilería Colombiana in Cartagena, founded in 1913 by Don Julio Arangoy Parra, with over a hundred years of experience producing rum in a tropical climate with high-grade sugar cane.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light and clean, with a hint of sweetness and tropical fruit.

Palate

Soft and round, with a delicate sweetness despite the long maturation.

Finish

Short and refreshing, without heavy oak.

Region/Country: Colombia
Type: Rum
Age: 100 months
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Used oak casks, solera method
EAN no.: 7707284029255
Serving suggestion: Neat or in light cocktails

Flavour profile

Light · Clean · Soft · Tropical

Did you know?

Dictador is named in memory of Cartagena's founder and is still produced in the same city, where the Destilería Colombiana distillery was founded in 1913.

See our full range of Dictador

A symphony of tropical spices melts together with the aged rum in this darker edition of the Old J range, where salted caramel and vanilla take the lead roles.

Expert Description

Admiral's Old J Spiced Dark English Rum is a Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink from the United Kingdom, bottled at 40%.

The rum combines a symphony of tropical spices with the smooth, aged rum base, resulting in a well-balanced drink with both sweetness and warmth. This darker edition of the Old J range emphasises salted caramel and a deeper vanilla character, combined with cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of citrus.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A blast of vanilla and lime.

Palate

Well-rounded spice and toffee, cut through with limey freshness, with rich and smooth buttery salted caramel and pronounced vanilla tones.

Finish

Sweet, smooth vanilla that gradually gives way to salted caramel.

Specifications

Name: Admiral's Old J Spiced Dark English Rum
Region/Country: United Kingdom
Type: Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5031992001756
Serving suggestion: Enjoy over ice with cola, ginger beer and lime

Bottler: Old J

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Caramel · Vanilla · Dark · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

The Dark edition of Old J differs from the other ranges through a more pronounced caramel character, which has made it a popular base for darker, more autumnal cocktails.

See our full range of Rum

Pot-still-distilled Caribbean rum is matured for 12-24 months in oak casks, before being blended with a special spice mix in this golden edition of the Old J range.

Expert Description

Admiral's Old J Spiced Gold Rum is a Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink from the United Kingdom, bottled at 40%.

The rum is crafted in small batches from pot-still-distilled Caribbean rum, matured for 12-24 months in oak casks before being blended with a selected spice mix. This award-winning, golden edition of the Old J range is sweet with pronounced notes of toffee and lime, making it an accessible yet characterful spiced rum.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Full-bodied aroma with a prominent vanilla character.

Palate

Lime cordial, vanilla, fudge and toffee with cinnamon and nutmeg, where buttery toffee popcorn and cinnamon spice join burnt toffee, black pepper, star anise and a hint of oak.

Finish

Smooth and long.

Specifications

Name: Admiral's Old J Spiced Gold Rum
Region/Country: United Kingdom
Type: Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks, matured 12-24 months
Distillation method: Pot still
EAN no.: 5033931602154
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat or with cola and ginger beer

Bottler: Old J

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Toffee · Lime · Vanilla · Sweet

Did You Know?

Old J Spiced Gold has won several awards at international spirits competitions and is often highlighted as one of the most well-balanced spiced rums in its category.

See our full range of Rum

11 different spices and a strength of 75.5% make this overproof edition the most intense member of the Old J range, crafted to bring both fire and depth to tiki cocktails.

Expert Description

Admiral's Old J Overproof Tiki-Fire Spiced Rum is an Overproof Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink from the United Kingdom, bottled at 75.5%.

The rum is built on the same Caribbean base as the rest of the Old J range, but is spiced with 11 different spices and bottled at a significantly higher strength. The name "Tiki-Fire" refers directly to its role as a powerful ingredient in tiki cocktails, where it can be flambéed or used to add extra fire and intensity to the drink.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pleasant and intense, with vanilla and a hint of lime peel as central elements.

Palate

Extremely rich and well-balanced, with plenty of vanilla and lime combined with the 11 spices, together creating a deep, complex profile.

Finish

Rich and smooth with a light spiced warmth that gradually fades.

Specifications

Name: Admiral's Old J Overproof Tiki-Fire Spiced Rum
Region/Country: United Kingdom
Type: Overproof Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink
ABV: 75.5%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5031992080003
Serving suggestion: Use in tiki cocktails or for flambéing

Bottler: Old J

Flavour Profile

Cask Strength · Spicy · Vanilla · Lime · Intense

Did You Know?

The name "Tiki-Fire" alludes to the fact that the rum's high strength makes it suitable for being ignited atop a cocktail, a classic tiki bar effect that provides both visual drama and a caramelised aroma.

See our full range of Rum

Persian lime and vanilla form the backbone of this spiced rum, named after the British naval admiral Edward Vernon, credited with inventing grog.

Expert Description

Admiral's Old J Spiced Rum is a Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink from the United Kingdom, bottled at 35%.

The rum is built on a Caribbean rum base, spiced with a classic combination of Persian lime and vanilla complemented by cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of clove. The range is named after Admiral Edward "Old Grog" Vernon, the 18th-century British naval admiral whose nickname is said to have given its name to the watered-down rum ration, "grog", served to British naval sailors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A blast of vanilla and lime, where cinnamon, lime and toffee are the most prominent tones.

Palate

Well-rounded spice and toffee, cut through with limey freshness, with notes of lime cordial, cream soda, fudge and toffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of clove.

Finish

Sweet, smooth vanilla with a trail of burnt toffee spice, black pepper, star anise and clove.

Specifications

Name: Admiral's Old J Spiced Rum
Region/Country: United Kingdom
Type: Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink
ABV: 35%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5031992900011
Serving suggestion: Enjoy with cola, ginger beer or lime

Bottler: Old J

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Lime · Vanilla · Toffee · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

Admiral Edward Vernon's nickname "Old Grog" stemmed from the grosgrain fabric his coat was made of, and his decision to dilute the navy's rum rations in 1740 later gave its name to the drink "grog".

See our full range of Rum

Pure sugar cane juice instead of molasses is not common in the Dominican Republic. It is one of Vizcaya's hallmarks.

Expert description

Vizcaya Cask 12 is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled from 100% pure sugar cane juice and matured in American bourbon casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum uses the so-called "agricole" method, where the distillate is made directly from freshly pressed sugar cane juice rather than the more common molasses-based process. This gives Vizcaya its characteristic bouquet, smoothness and refined, sweet flavour. The rum received 93 points from Paul Pacult at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Tasting notes

Nose

Complex bouquet with vanilla and cacao.

Palate

Soft and delicate, with a delicious, buttery character.

Finish

Round and soft, with lingering sweetness.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American bourbon casks
EAN no.: 0789764321032
Serving suggestion: Neat, with coffee or in cocktails

Flavour profile

Soft · Buttery · Sweet · Elegant

Did you know?

Vizcaya uses the so-called agricole method, where the rum is distilled directly from fresh sugar cane juice instead of molasses, a technique far more common on French islands like Martinique than in the Dominican Republic.

See our full range of Vizcaya

On the Cabangu plantation in Minas Gerais the sugar cane stood tall while a boy looked up at the sky and thought about flying.

Alberto Santos Dumont ended up a pioneer in the air. Down on the ground, the sugar cane became something else entirely: a spirit that is allowed to take its time.

Expert description

Santos Dumont XO Brazil Spirit Drink is a Brazilian Rum-Based Spirit Drink aged in Bourbon casks, Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks and Port casks and bottled at 40%.

The base is Brazilian sugar cane, distilled on a copper pot still. The young distillate is then split across three cask types, each pulling the flavour in its own direction. The Bourbon cask gives vanilla and a dry peppery edge. The Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask lays down ripe fruit, honey and old oak. The Port cask rounds it all off with sweetness and a soft, wine-like character.

Finally, the master blender blends the three parts together, and the blend gets a final rest in a single hand-picked cask. It is that step which gives the bottle its own character rather than a uniform factory profile.

Note that it may not be called rum. It is classified as a Spirit Drink, and that is not a mistake or a shortcut, but a matter of regulation. As soon as anything is added, or the distillate does not meet the formal requirements for rum, the product falls into the Spirit Drink category. Many of the softest and most sweet-toned bottles on the shelf belong here.

The brand is owned by Old St. Croix Spirits, formerly A.H. Riise Spirits, based in Dragør. The name is a tribute to Alberto Santos Dumont, whose father ran the coffee and sugar cane plantation Cabangu in Minas Gerais.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Banana and coconut first, then ripe apricot and apricot kernel. Vanilla and a touch of honey hide underneath.

Palate

Soft tannins, distinct honey and a fruit sweetness that leans towards fermented fruit and dried figs. The port cask shows as a wine-like, almost syrupy roundness, while a hint of black pepper keeps the sweetness from running away.

Finish

Long and sweet with toffee and dark chocolate. Right at the end comes a dry oak note that tidies everything up.

Specifications

Name: Santos Dumont XO Brazil Spirit Drink
Distillery: Santos Dumont
Region/Country: Brazil
Type: Brazilian Rum-Based Spirit Drink
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks and Port casks
Distillation method: Copper Pot Still
Edition: XO
EAN no.: 5712421040002
Serving suggestion: Neat or over a single ice cube at 18-20 degrees

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Fruity · Sherry-matured · Port cask · Soft

Did You Know?

Alberto Santos Dumont asked Louis Cartier for a watch he could wear on his wrist while flying, because he could not fish his pocket watch out mid-air. That was the start of the wristwatch as we know it today.

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Clear and bright in the glass, this white rum from Negrita balances warmth with a fresh, citrusy edge that makes it a reliable cocktail workhorse.

Expert Description

Negrita Signature Caribbean White Rum is a Caribbean White Rum produced by Bardinet, bottled at 37.5%.

The rum appears clear and bright in the glass and is crafted to combine warmth with a zingy freshness, making it particularly well suited for cocktails. The dry yet silky profile is built on Negrita's signature style with delicate exotic fruit notes that give the rum a light, approachable character without becoming too simple.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A subtle alliance of yellow fruits and exotic notes.

Palate

Sweet and fruity with pleasant citrus notes, dry yet silky in texture.

Finish

Long and persistent, with a fresh conclusion.

Specifications

Name: Negrita Signature Caribbean White Rum
Bottler: Bardinet
Region/Country: Caribbean
Type: White Rum
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70 CL
Serving suggestion: Enjoy in a Mojito or Daiquiri

Bottler: Negrita

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Citrus · Fruity · Dry · Light

Did You Know?

Negrita means "little black one" in Spanish, referring to the brand's original, darker bottle design, even though this expression is precisely the clear, white variant.

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From the French house of Bardinet comes this spiced Caribbean rum, where citrus and warm spices take turns leading in the glass.

Expert Description

Negrita Spiced Caribbean Rum is a Spiced Caribbean Rum produced by Bardinet, bottled at 35%.

The rum is built on Negrita's classic Caribbean base, which is then spiced with a blend of warm spices. The nose opens gently with citrus fruit, particularly yellow lemon, before the spices unfold with aeration in the glass. The palate is marked by vanilla and a fatty, soft texture, where tanginess and spice keep each other in check.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Yellow lemon and a mild spiciness at first, which with air opens up to nutmeg, cardamom, clove and pepper over molasses and toasted sugar.

Palate

Soft, fatty vanilla meets tanginess and spice in a balanced palate with toasted spices, caramel and a hint of citrus.

Finish

Light and relatively short, where vanilla's sweetness dominates.

Specifications

Name: Negrita Spiced Caribbean Rum
Bottler: Bardinet
Region/Country: Caribbean
Type: Spiced Rum
ABV: 35%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 3012993045040
Serving suggestion: Enjoy on the rocks or in a Rum & Cola

Bottler: Negrita

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Sweet · Citrus · Vanilla · Rounded

Did You Know?

Negrita is one of the oldest Caribbean rum brands on the European market and has been part of the French house Bardinet's portfolio for generations.

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Fifteen years in a cask can turn a rum into something close to a meditation object – this is Saint James' answer to exactly that.

Expert description

Saint James 15 Year Agricole is an AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole, matured for at least 15 years in heavily toasted oak casks and bottled at 43%.

Fifteen years is the longest standard maturation in Saint James' age range, and the heavy toasting of the casks gives the rum a depth and complexity that puts it on par with the house's most ambitious releases. Where the 7 and 12 year expressions still carry a certain fruit-driven lightness, the 15 year is darker and more introspective in style.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense with woody and toasted tones, precious wood, spice, tobacco and cooked fruit, complemented by a hint of menthol.

Palate

Elegant complexity with a mocha-tinged finish, where old cask dominates while fruit and menthol restore the balance.

Finish

Very long and persistent with a high degree of refinement.

Specifications

Distillery: Saint James
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique
Age: 15 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Heavily Toasted Oak
EAN no.: 3322177157026
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass as a digestif

Flavour profile

Toasted · Tobacco · Complex · Mocha · Refined

Did you know?

The 15 year expression is the oldest fixed release in Saint James' core range, and the heavy toasting of the casks is a deliberate technique meant to give the rum extra depth after so many years of ageing in the warm climate.

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Some rums taste of sugarcane. This one tastes more of an old French wine cellar.

Expert description

Saint James 7 Year Agricole is an AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole, matured for at least 7 years in oak casks and bottled at 43%.

The rum is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice at the Saint James distillery in Sainte-Marie and then aged for seven years, giving it an unusual Cognac-like character rather than the greener, grassier expression many younger agricole rums show. The cask ageing adds dried fruit and a light "rancio" note more commonly associated with old grape brandies than rum.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fruity with pineapple, melon and red apple, complemented by peaches in syrup, light anise, yoghurt, coffee grounds, honey and vanilla, with a hint of cinnamon.

Palate

Vanilla, allspice, ginger and lemon alternate, backed by dried fruit notes and cane sugar reminiscent of Martinique's AOC style.

Finish

Balanced and light, with a Cognac-like softness that lingers.

Specifications

Distillery: Saint James
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique
Age: 7 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak
EAN no.: 3322177077027
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass at room temperature

Flavour profile

Fruity · Vanilla · Spiced · Dried Fruit · Elegant

Did you know?

Several reviewers have described Saint James 7 Year as behaving more like a Cognac than a traditional Caribbean rum, precisely because of the pronounced dried fruit and rancio character from the cask ageing.

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Straw yellow, light and carrying the freshness found only in rum pressed from pure cane juice – Saint James has made it this way since 1765.

Expert description

Saint James Straw Pale Agricole is an AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole, briefly matured in oak casks and bottled at 40%.

Straw Pale ("Paille" in French) is named after the straw-yellow colour the rum takes on after around two months in oak casks – short enough to preserve the sugarcane's fresh, grassy character, but long enough to add a hint of vanilla and spice. The Saint James distillery in Sainte-Marie is one of the oldest rhum agricole producers on Martinique and has kept its original name unbroken since its founding.

Tasting notes

Nose

Round, refined and delicate with well-developed notes of dried fruit, honey and liquorice, combined with vanilla and a light touch of wood.

Palate

Well balanced with woody tones and a pleasant, lingering aroma, where apple and honey continue from the nose alongside a fresh, grassy agricole character.

Finish

Light and short with a fresh, grassy impression.

Specifications

Distillery: Saint James
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak
Edition: Straw Pale
EAN no.: 3147699102701
Serving suggestion: Served chilled as an aperitif or in a Ti' Punch

Flavour profile

Fresh · Grassy · Honey · Light · Floral

Did you know?

Saint James was founded in 1765 and is one of the oldest rhum brands on Martinique to have continuously kept its original name since it began.

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The same company behind Havana Club also makes this lesser-known brand, which for decades was sold only in the Cuban domestic market.

Expert description

Ron Cubay Carta Blanca Extra Anejo is a Rum from Cuba, matured 3 years in North American oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Cuba Ron S.A. in Santo Domingo, Villa Clara, in the centre of Cuba, the same company behind world-famous Havana Club. The brand was established in 1964, but was originally intended solely for the Cuban domestic market and has only recently, around 2010, found its way to export. Carta Blanca combines the richness of long-aged dark rums with the freshness of Cuba's classic white rum style in a single bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Gentle aroma with creamy vanilla and a hint of fresh green apple.

Palate

Clean and full-bodied for its type, with earthy, herbaceous notes showing signs of mature ageing.

Finish

Light and refreshing, with a balanced close.

Region/Country: Cuba
Type: Rum
Age: 3 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: North American oak
Serving suggestion: Neat or in classic Cuban cocktails

Flavour profile

Light · Fresh · Creamy · Herbaceous

Did you know?

Ron Cubay is produced by Cuba Ron S.A., the same company behind world-famous Havana Club, but for decades the brand was reserved exclusively for the Cuban domestic market.

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A Highland cask from Ben Nevis is not an obvious neighbour for Dominican rum. Yet that is exactly the combination that gives Summum its character.

Expert description

Ron Summum Ben Nevis Malt Whisky Cask Finish 12 Years is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, matured 12 years using the solera method and finished in casks from Ben Nevis Single Malt Whisky, bottled at 43%.

The rum builds on the house's solera-matured 12-year blend, after which it is finished in used casks from the Scottish Highland distillery Ben Nevis. The whisky cask's oak, smoke and earthiness melt together with the rum's natural sweetness, creating a character reminiscent of Islay-style whiskies like Laphroaig, but with a gentler, sweeter frame.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet candyfloss and chocolate lentils, with vanilla and a hint of spiced whisky oak.

Palate

Sweetness that gradually transitions into whisky-influenced notes of oak, smoke and earthiness.

Finish

Medium length, with a spiced bite at the end.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in Ben Nevis Single Malt Whisky casks
EAN no.: 8438001406019
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Sweet · Smoky · Earthy · Whisky-influenced

Did you know?

The Ben Nevis distillery, whose casks are used for the finish, sits at the foot of Scotland's highest mountain and is known for a robust, earthy whisky style that blends surprisingly well with Dominican rum.

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Demi-Sec is the sweetest and final stop in the Alta Gama series, which otherwise consists of the exact same rum from bottle to bottle.

Expert description

Alta Gama Demi-Sec is a Guyana Spirit Drink matured in oak casks and bottled at 41%.

The rum is a blend from three historic distilleries in Guyana: Port Mourant with its double wooden pot still, Enmore with its wooden coffey still, and Uitvlugt with its four-column French Savalle still, matured between 5 and 15 years in ex-bourbon casks of American oak. The Demi-Sec expression carries 35 grams of added sugar per litre, the highest sweetness in the series and well above the EU's 20 gram per litre limit for products labelled as rum, meaning the product must legally be described as Spirit Drink rather than Rum. The rum is distributed in Denmark by CRT Spirits.

Tasting notes

Nose

Burnt Demerara sugar and liquorice in a noticeably sweeter, more syrupy expression than the rest of the series, with orange peel and a touch of oak.

Palate

Full-bodied and markedly sweet with burnt sugar, caramel and a soft, round body.

Finish

Long, sweet and gentle, where the burnt sugar and discreet spice linger longest of the whole series.

Specifications

Distillery: Demerara Distillers
Region/Country: Guyana
Type: Spirit Drink
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon American Oak
EAN no.: 8712983610061
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in a rum cocktail

Flavour profile

Syrupy · Molasses · Sweet · Full-bodied · Round

Did you know?

With 35 grams of sugar per litre, Demi-Sec is the sweetest of the four Alta Gama expressions, and the difference of just 20 grams of sugar between Brut Nature and Demi-Sec is enough to shift the product from the Rum category to the Spirit Drink category under EU law.

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Sec is the third step in the Alta Gama series, where sweetness is slowly turned up bottle by bottle, and this is where you really start to notice the difference.

Expert description

Alta Gama Sec is a Guyana Spirit Drink matured in oak casks and bottled at 41%.

The rum is a blend from three historic distilleries in Guyana: Port Mourant with its double wooden pot still, Enmore with its wooden coffey still, and Uitvlugt with its four-column French Savalle still, matured between 5 and 15 years in ex-bourbon casks of American oak. The Sec expression carries 25 grams of added sugar per litre, which exceeds the EU's 20 gram per litre limit for products labelled as rum, so the product must legally be described as Spirit Drink rather than Rum. The rum is distributed in Denmark by CRT Spirits.

Tasting notes

Nose

Burnt Demerara sugar, liquorice and orange peel, but with a more pronounced sweetness than in Extra-Sec.

Palate

Round and fuller-sweet with the same burnt sugar character plus a warm, gentle spiciness.

Finish

Long and sweet with oak and a gentle spice tone that lingers longer than in the drier expressions of the series.

Specifications

Distillery: Demerara Distillers
Region/Country: Guyana
Type: Spirit Drink
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon American Oak
EAN no.: 8712983610085
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in an Old Fashioned

Flavour profile

Molasses · Liquorice · Sweet · Round · Spiced

Did you know?

The Alta Gama series consists of four expressions of the exact same rum blend, where the only difference is the amount of added sugar, from 0 grams in Brut Nature to 35 grams in Demi-Sec, making the series a rare example of how sweetness alone can change a rum's character.

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Three distilleries, three still styles, one bottle – Alta Gama Extra-sec is a small lesson in just how differently Guyana can taste.

Expert description

Alta Gama Extra-sec is a Guyana Rum matured in oak casks and bottled at 41%.

The rum is a blend from three historic distilleries in Guyana: Port Mourant with its double wooden pot still, Enmore with its wooden coffey still, and Uitvlugt with its four-column French Savalle still. The blend gives Alta Gama Extra-sec a character spanning from the heavy, molasses-driven Port Mourant style to the lighter, more elegant Uitvlugt style. The rum is distributed in Denmark by CRT Spirits.

Tasting notes

Nose

Burnt Demerara sugar, liquorice and orange peel with a hint of oak.

Palate

Round and lightly sweet with the same burnt sugar character plus a warm spiciness.

Finish

Long and satisfying with oak, a gentle spice tone and a pleasant sweetness.

Specifications

Distillery: Demerara Distillers
Region/Country: Guyana
Type: Rum
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak
EAN no.: 8712983610078
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in an Old Fashioned

Flavour profile

Molasses · Liquorice · Spiced · Round · Sweet

Did you know?

The Port Mourant still, part of the blend behind Alta Gama Extra-sec, is one of the world's oldest still-active wooden pot stills, dating back to 1732, making it a living piece of Demerara rum history.

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Xaymaca is what the island's first inhabitants called Jamaica, long before it had its current name. Land of wood and water. Molasses ferments here for up to three weeks, and the copper pot stills turn it into a spirit that smells of overripe bananas, varnish and a whiff of diesel. Planteray then lets it rest on both sides of the Atlantic.

Expert's Description

Planteray Xaymaca Special Dry is a Jamaican Pot Still Rum aged in bourbon casks, finished in Cognac casks and bottled at 43%. It is a blend of 100% pot still rum from two historic Jamaican distilleries, Clarendon and Long Pond, made from molasses with no added sugar. The label states 156 grams of esters per hectolitre of pure alcohol and 312 grams of volatile compounds, and the dosage is zero grams per litre. Those numbers tell most of the story: this sits at the heavy, funky end of rum.

Clarendon supplies spirit from a Vendome pot still, Long Pond from an old John Dore. The back label lists the marks in the blend: EMB and MLC from Clarendon, VRW and STCE from Long Pond. Marks are Jamaica's traditional way of signalling intensity and flavour profile. Fermentation runs between one and three weeks, and that is where the fruity, almost solvent-like notes come from, the ones rum nerds call hogo.

Ageing happens in two stages. First one to three years in bourbon casks in the Jamaican heat, where rum matures fast. Then the rum sails to Maison Ferrand in Cognac and spends roughly another year in Cognac casks. That last step sands down the edges without taking the character, and the result is drier, spicier and more cohesive than a young Jamaican rum usually manages to be. Since 2017, Maison Ferrand has owned a third of National Rums of Jamaica, the company behind Clarendon and Long Pond.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Very complex and slightly meaty, with a touch of smoke and sour, herbal notes that build slowly. Then comes vanilla, almost pastry-like, alongside cooked banana, bitter orange peel and ripe pineapple.

Palate

Dry and spicy. Rose water, soursop, pear and apricot fill the mouth, followed by coconut milk, allspice, ginger, nuts and something close to fresh-baked bread.

Finish

Long and dry, with pepper, soft vanilla and a buttery note. A faint smokiness hangs around afterwards.

Specifications

Name: Planteray Xaymaca Special Dry Jamaican Rum
Distillery: Clarendon and Long Pond
Bottler: Maison Ferrand
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Jamaican Pot Still Rum
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon Casks, finished in Ferrand Cognac Casks
Distillation method: Pot still, Vendome and John Dore
EAN no.: 3460410538543
Serving suggestion: Neat at room temperature, with a large ice cube or in a Mai Tai

Flavour Profile

Funky · Tropical fruity · Dry · Spiced · Lightly smoky

Did You Know?

Alexandre Gabriel, who owns Maison Ferrand, started out as a Cognac man, not a rum man. In the 1990s he travelled to the Caribbean to sell empty Cognac barrels to rum distilleries. He also bought some full rum casks and shipped them home to Cognac, where he began experimenting with ageing. That is where the double ageing comes from, and Xaymaca still builds on it.

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