"Abuelo" means grandfather in Spanish - a name that points directly to the solera tradition Panama's most famous rum brand is built on.

Expert Description

Abuelo XV Tawny Port Cask Finish is a dark Panama Rum, 15 years old with a finishing period on ex-tawny port casks, bottled at 40% in a 20 cl bottle.

Abuelo XV is the distillery's classic 15-year rum, which in this release has received an additional maturation on casks that previously held tawny port. The port casks add a sweeter, more red-berry character on top of the round, vanilla-forward base from the long Panama ageing. The 20 cl format makes the bottle ideal for trying the style before committing to a full bottle.

Abuelo is produced by Varela Hermanos in Panama and is one of the country's most acclaimed rum brands, known for its soft, approachable style.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla, caramel and red berries from the port casks.

Palate

Soft and round with sweetness from the port and a lightly spiced finish.

Finish

Medium length, sweet and soft.

Specifications

Name: Abuelo XV Tawny Port Cask Finish
Distillery: Varela Hermanos
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Dark Rum
Age: 15 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 20 CL
Cask type: Tawny Port Cask Finish
Serving suggestion: Neat or on ice

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Vanilla · Port · Soft

Did You Know?

The name Abuelo - Spanish for "grandfather" - refers to the solera-inspired ageing method, where older and younger rum are blended across generations, much like a family's knowledge passed down.

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The third sibling in the Abuelo XV family draws its character from port wine's sweet, dark berry fruit rather than cognac or sherry.

Expert description

Ron Abuelo XV Tawny Port Cask Finish is a Rum from Panama, matured 15 years in American bourbon casks and finished in Tawny port casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from Varela Hermanos, which has distilled rum in Panama since 1908. The Abuelo XV series is the house's platform for experimental finishing, where the same 15-year base rum is refined on different types of specialty casks. The Tawny Port edition adds a deep, dark berry sweetness and a distinct port wine character on top of the house's classic toffee and caramel foundation, with a pronounced hint of dark chocolate and red berries.

Tasting notes

Nose

Powerful caramel with a hint of dark cherry and candied fruit, complemented by red berries, ripe wild berries and intense oak.

Palate

Spiced with dark chocolate, candied fruit, brown sugar and vanilla, with a distinct port wine character and a full hint of dried tropical fruit.

Finish

Sweet dark fruit moving towards bitter chocolate and raspberry, with bread pudding and an earthy, oak-driven ending.

Bottler: Varela Hermanos
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Rum
Age: 15 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American bourbon casks, finished in Tawny port casks
EAN no.: 7451101210509
Serving suggestion: Neat in a snifter glass

Flavour profile

Berry · Port wine · Sweet · Full-bodied

Investment potential

Low to medium. The Abuelo XV series with its rotating specialty casks attracts collectors who want to compare the different finishing profiles side by side.

Did you know?

Tawny port is traditionally matured in wooden casks for many years and therefore already develops nutty and caramel notes of its own, making the casks particularly suited to complementing an already syrupy, sweet rum base.

See our full range of Ron Abuelo

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.

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A captured Spanish ship of the line that ended up among the first British ships into action at the Saintes - HMS Princessa's story is the very inspiration behind this bottle.

Expert Description

Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa is a St. Lucia Rum, 5-7 years old, bottled at 40%.

HMS Princessa was originally a Spanish ship, but was captured by the British in 1780 at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. With Captain Charles Knatchbull and Vice Admiral Francis Samuel Drake aboard, this 70-gun ship of the line was one of the first ships into action against the French during the Battle of the Saintes, fighting valiantly throughout the engagement. The story of the ship's courage and endurance inspired the Admiral Rodney distillery to create this rum, meant to express the same strength and integrity.

The Admiral Rodney series is named after Admiral George Rodney, who led the British fleet at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782, and each bottle in the series carries the name of one of the ships that took part in the battle.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Tropical fruit, caramel and a hint of spice.

Palate

Soft and round with sweetness from the tropical ageing.

Finish

Medium length and soft.

Specifications

Name: Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa
Distillery: Admiral Rodney
Region/Country: St. Lucia
Type: St. Lucia Rum
Age: 5-7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5060184940825
Serving suggestion: Neat or on ice

Flavour Profile

Tropical · Caramel · Soft · Spiced

Did You Know?

HMS Princessa was originally built as a Spanish warship before being captured by the British - a fate it shared with several of the ships that lend their names to the Admiral Rodney series.

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Named after a British admiral who won a naval battle off St. Lucia in 1782, this is a rum with both feet firmly planted in the island's maritime history.

Expert description

Admiral Rodney HMS Royal Oak is a St. Lucia Rum distilled on coffey still and bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from Saint Lucia Distillers, the island's only distillery, and is a blend of rums between 7 and 12 years old, matured exclusively in previously used bourbon casks of American oak. The series is named after Admiral George Brydges Rodney, who won the Battle of the Saintes off St. Lucia in 1782, and the HMS Royal Oak expression is named after one of the British naval ships of that era.

Tasting notes

Nose

Prunes, raisins and toasted oak with a hint of tropical spice.

Palate

Intense and sweet with sultana fruit, tobacco and chocolate, carried by vanilla from the cask.

Finish

Complex with sweet fruit, caramel and spice that lingers.

Specifications

Distillery: Saint Lucia Distillers
Region/Country: St. Lucia
Type: Rum
Age: 7-12 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon American Oak
Distillation method: Coffey Still
EAN no.: 5060184940849
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass or over ice

Flavour profile

Sweet · Spiced · Fruity · Tobacco · Caramel

Did you know?

The Battle of the Saintes in April 1782, won by Admiral Rodney off the coast of St. Lucia, is considered one of the most significant British naval battles of the American War of Independence, and it halted a Franco-Spanish attempt to capture Jamaica.

See our full range of Admiral Rodney

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.

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The world's first white spiced rum turns down the heavy spicing and lets the unaged rum step forward more clearly, while toffee and vanilla still hold it all together.

Expert Description

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

The rum is built on the same base as Old J's other releases, but with far less added spice, allowing the unaged, white rum more room to come through. The main traits of the original Old J style, smooth toffee, sweet lime and a full vanilla character, are retained, while the heavy spicing found in the other Old J expressions has been significantly toned down. This makes the Silver edition a versatile base for light, fresh drinks.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Smooth toffee and sweet lime with a light, sweet vanilla scent.

Palate

Fresh and light with vanilla sweetness and a hint of spice, without the heavy spicing profile of darker spiced rums.

Finish

Short and fresh, with vanilla being the last thing to fade.

Specifications

Name: Admiral's Old J Silver Spiced Rum
Region/Country: United Kingdom
Type: White Spiced Rum-based Spirit Drink
ABV: 35%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5031992004283
Serving suggestion: Enjoy in a Mojito, Mai Tai or Pornstar Martini

Bottler: Old J

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Vanilla · Lightly Spiced · Citrus · Versatile

Did You Know?

Old J Silver is marketed as the world's first white spiced rum, a category that combines the freshness of unaged white rum with a light spiced twist.

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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.

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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.

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Pineapple meets the navy rum heritage of Admiral Edward Vernon, the man who in 1740 came up with diluting sailors' rum with water to keep discipline up.

Expert Description

Admiral's Old J Spiced Pineapple is a Caribbean Rum from Signature Brands, flavoured with a blend of 11 ingredients centred on pineapple and bottled at 35%.

The brand is named after Admiral Edward Vernon, an 18th-century British naval officer whose watered-down rum ration later became known as "grog" and gave rise to the tradition behind many spiced rums. The Spiced Pineapple edition builds on the house's Caribbean base rum with a rich pineapple profile spiced with vanilla and a light, tangy lime note.

The result is a light, tropical rum equally suited to sipping neat with a lime wedge or mixed into a Mojito.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Grilled pineapple with caramel sauce and sweet vanilla.

Palate

Fresh, juicy pineapple with a hint of lime, supported by vanilla and tropical spice.

Finish

Medium length and soft, with burnt pineapple and a hint of lime.

Specifications

Name: Admiral's Old J Spiced Pineapple
Bottler: Signature Brands
Region/Country: Caribbean
Type: Rum
ABV: 35%
Size: 70 CL
Serving Suggestion: With a lime wedge or in a Mojito

Flavour Profile

Pineapple-forward · Tropical · Light · Vanilla-forward · Fresh

Did You Know?

The name "Old J" refers to Admiral Edward Vernon, nicknamed "Old Grog" after the grogram coat he wore, and whose 1740 idea of mixing rum with water gave rise to the word "grog" itself in the English language.

See our full range of Admiral's Old J

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

In Flensburg, a city that in its heyday held over a hundred rum trading houses, A.H. Johannsen keeps the tradition alive. WOODEN BOX is the house's tribute to classic Jamaican rum.

Expert Description

AH Johannsen WOODEN BOX is a Jamaica Rum, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from A.H. Johannsen, the oldest still-independent rum house in Flensburg, which has traded in Jamaican rum since 1878. The company is housed in a building over 300 years old, which has been its home since 1914, and is one of the last bearers of the city's once-flourishing rum tradition. The WOODEN BOX edition is bottled in a distinctive wooden box, underlining the house's craft-driven, tradition-bound approach to rum.

The result is a full-bodied, earthy rum, where molasses meets spice in a warm, rounded finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Molasses, dark fruit and warm spices.

Palate

Full-bodied and rounded with toffee and a hint of oak.

Finish

Warm and medium-length with lingering molasses.

Specifications

Name: AH Johannsen WOODEN BOX
Bottler: A.H. Johannsen
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Jamaica Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
EAN No.: 2600000003308
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter or in cocktails

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Earthy · Spiced · Traditional

Did You Know?

Flensburg once held over a hundred rum trading houses thanks to the city's close trading ties to the West Indies, but today A.H. Johannsen is one of the few still keeping the tradition alive.

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.

See our full range of Alta Gama

Essentia is Alta Gama's answer to the question of what rum can become when nothing is added and everything comes down to the single cask.

Expert Description

Alta Gama El Salvador 11 Year Essentia 1 is an El Salvador Rum from a single cask, aged 11 years and bottled at cask strength with no added sugar, colour or water.

The Essentia range is Alta Gama's purest, untouched expression of rum from El Salvador, where each cask is bottled individually without any form of additive. Essentia 1 is the first release in the range, distilled and aged in the Central American climate, where high temperatures drive a fast, intense maturation over 11 years. The absence of additives means the cask's entire natural character, from fruit to spice, shows through completely unfiltered.

The result is a powerful, complex rum that shows what El Salvador's rum tradition can deliver when nothing stands between the drinker and the cask itself.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Citrus, apricot and burnt caramel, with deep vanilla tones.

Palate

Powerful and complex with burnt caramel, chocolate and ripe apricots, supported by a warm, spiced intensity.

Finish

Long and warm, with lingering chocolate and caramel tones.

Specifications

Name: Alta Gama El Salvador 11 Year Essentia 1
Distillery: Alta Gama
Region/Country: El Salvador
Type: Rum
Age: 11 Years
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Powerful · Complex · Chocolatey · Citrus-forward · Cask Strength

Did You Know?

The Essentia range is deliberately designed without any form of additive, meaning each bottle shows the cask's pure, unedited character, unlike many commercial rum releases where sugar and colouring are often used to smooth out variation between casks.

See our full range of Alta Gama

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.

See our full range of Alta Gama

Four bottles, one rum blend, four different sweetness levels – this gift set is the easiest way to understand just how much sugar actually shapes a rum's character.

Expert description

Alta Gama Gift Set is a tasting set of four 10 cl bottles from the same Guyana rum blend, all bottled at 41%.

The set contains Brut Nature with no added sugar, Extra-Sec with 15 grams of added sugar per litre, Sec with 25 grams and Demi-Sec with 35 grams. The two sweetest expressions, Sec and Demi-Sec, exceed the EU's 20 gram per litre limit for products labelled as rum and are therefore legally described as Spirit Drink, while Brut Nature and Extra-Sec remain Rum. All four are based on the same blend from the Port Mourant, Enmore and Uitvlugt stills at Demerara Distillers, matured between 5 and 15 years in ex-bourbon casks of American oak, differing only in the amount of added sugar.

Tasting notes

Nose

All four share a base of burnt Demerara sugar, liquorice and orange peel, but the sweetness and syrupy character increase markedly from Brut Nature to Demi-Sec.

Palate

The progression runs from dry and sharp in Brut Nature to full-bodied and markedly sweet in Demi-Sec, with Extra-Sec and Sec as steps in between.

Finish

Similar oak and spice notes across all four, but the length and sweetness of the finish increase noticeably through the set.

Specifications

Distillery: Demerara Distillers
Region/Country: Guyana
Type: Tasting set (Rum and Spirit Drink)
ABV: 41%
Size: 4 x 10 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon American Oak
Serving suggestion: Tasted side by side at room temperature

Flavour profile

Molasses · Liquorice · Progressive Sweetness · Round · Spiced

Did you know?

Because the four bottles in the set are the exact same rum with different amounts of added sugar, they offer a rare chance to taste your way through just how much 20 grams of sugar per litre can shift a product from the Rum category into the Spirit Drink category under EU rules.

See our full range of Alta Gama

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.

See our full range of Alta Gama

1787 is the birth year of House of Angostura's founder, and the name is the house's tribute to the long legacy behind this 15-year-old release.

Expert description

Angostura 1787 is a Premium Caribbean Rum from Trinidad, a blend of rums matured a minimum of 15 years, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from House of Angostura, founded in Venezuela in 1824 and relocated to Trinidad in 1875. The 1787 expression is the house's flagship release among its age-stated rums, composed of selected rums matured at least 15 years, giving a luxurious, full-bodied character with complex fruitiness and a signature funk from ester-driven distillation that divides opinion between traditionalists and those who prefer a softer, more classic profile.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried fruit, toasted oak and robust spice, with passion fruit, dried apricot, charred wood smoke and vanilla fudge, plus lightly overripe banana, plum and rose petal.

Palate

Sweet at first with passion fruit, vanilla fudge and ripe peach, before turning towards dry, toasted oak, toffee and black pepper spice.

Finish

Long and warm with gentle oak spice and a fruity aftertaste that slowly fades.

Specifications

Distillery: House of Angostura
Region/Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Type: Rum
Age: 15 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 0075496332218
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass at room temperature

Flavour profile

Complex · Fruity · Spiced · Luxurious · Full-bodied

Investment potential

Low. Angostura 1787 is a celebrated, luxurious release, but is produced in sufficient quantities that it should primarily be viewed as a drinking rum rather than a collector's item.

Did you know?

The name 1787 refers to the birth year of Carlos Siegert, the German doctor who founded House of Angostura and invented the famous aromatic bitters that give the house its name.

See our full range of Angostura

1919 is the year the House of Angostura truly began exporting its rum from Trinidad, and the name is the house's tribute to that legacy.

Expert description

Angostura 1919 is a Caribbean Rum from Trinidad matured 8 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from House of Angostura, founded in Venezuela in 1824 and relocated to Trinidad in 1875, today world-renowned for both its rum and its aromatic bitters. Angostura 1919 is a blend of rums matured in ex-bourbon casks in the Caribbean heat, which accelerates maturation compared to cooler climates, resulting in a warm, round and well-balanced rum with a pronounced focus on vanilla and caramel.

Tasting notes

Nose

Rich caramel and vanilla, toasted oak and warm baking spices, with a light fruitiness of ripe bananas and dried apricots plus a touch of cocoa.

Palate

Dry and medium-bodied with roasted nuts, creamy vanilla, brown spices and tropical nuances.

Finish

Soft and silky with buttery caramel, vanilla and molasses, well-balanced and not overly sweet.

Specifications

Distillery: House of Angostura
Region/Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Type: Rum
Age: 8 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon
EAN no.: 0075496331969
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass or over ice

Flavour profile

Vanilla · Caramel · Round · Soft · Tropical

Did you know?

House of Angostura is probably best known for its aromatic bitters, whose exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but the rum brand builds on the same long tradition of precise blending and maturation on Trinidad.

See our full range of Angostura

Superior Gold is the house's entry point into age-stated releases, smooth enough to drink alone, characterful enough to be remembered.

Expert description

Angostura 5 Year Superior Gold is a Caribbean Rum from Trinidad and Tobago matured 5 years in first-fill bourbon casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from House of Angostura, founded in Venezuela in 1824 and relocated to Trinidad in 1875. Superior Gold is composed as a smooth, accessible introduction to the house's age-stated rum series, where the relatively short maturation still delivers a full, round character thanks to the accelerated maturation of the Caribbean heat.

Tasting notes

Nose

Lightly wooded with coconut, cloves, buttery caramel and lemon zest, plus a hint of vanilla.

Palate

Soft with tropical fruit, green mangoes and bananas, plus vanilla ice cream and a touch of spiced dark chocolate.

Finish

Remarkably warm and mellow.

Specifications

Distillery: House of Angostura
Region/Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Type: Rum
Age: 5 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill Bourbon Casks
EAN no.: 0075496331884
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in a light rum cocktail

Flavour profile

Soft · Tropical · Vanilla · Caramel · Round

Did you know?

Angostura's rum series is named after an ascending numeric sequence, 5, 7, 12 and 15 years, giving customers a clear, easy-to-follow system for gradually moving up through the house's range of age-stated releases.

See our full range of Angostura

Where Superior Gold is soft and immediate, the 7 year expression steps up in dryness and depth, without letting go of the house's signature vanilla.

Expert description

Angostura 7 Year is a Caribbean Rum from Trinidad, a blend of rums matured a minimum of 7 years, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from House of Angostura, founded in Venezuela in 1824 and relocated to Trinidad in 1875. The 7 year expression is blended from rums that have each had at least 7 years of maturation before blending and bottling, giving a medium-bodied character with a drier, spicier structure than the house's younger releases and a distinct coffee and cocoa note.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla and creamy caramel, with hints of honey and tropical fruit, plus chocolate, raisin and mocha coffee.

Palate

Full-bodied with maple syrup, vanilla, honey and caramel toffee, plus dry oak, mocha coffee and cinnamon spice.

Finish

Bittersweet caramel and dark bitter chocolate with mocha coffee, mild cinnamon and black pepper.

Specifications

Distillery: House of Angostura
Region/Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Type: Rum
Age: 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5029704217120
Serving suggestion: In a snifter glass or over ice

Flavour profile

Dry · Coffee · Chocolate · Spiced · Medium-bodied

Did you know?

Angostura 7 Year has historically been one of the house's most critically acclaimed releases, precisely because it combines a drier, more serious character with the accessibility that makes it well suited both for sipping alone and in cocktails.

See our full range of Angostura

Reserva White proves a white rum can absolutely have age behind it, it's just stripped of colour, not of character.

Expert description

Angostura Reserva White is a White Rum matured a minimum of 3 years and bottled at 37.5%.

The rum comes from House of Angostura on Trinidad, founded in Venezuela in 1824 and relocated to Trinidad in 1875. After at least 3 years of cask maturation, the rum is charcoal filtered to remove the colour, creating a clean, versatile base with retained depth from the cask ageing. Reserva White is designed as a classic cocktail rum that can be used broadly without overpowering other ingredients.

Tasting notes

Nose

Gentle citrus and tropical fruit, underpinned by discreet notes of vanilla bean and baking spice such as nutmeg and cinnamon.

Palate

Dry and creamy with tropical fruit, vanilla and toasted coconut from the cask ageing, plus a hint of mint, white pepper and mango.

Finish

Medium length, soft and balanced with subtle wood notes and a fresh dryness.

Specifications

Distillery: House of Angostura
Region/Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Type: White Rum
Age: 3 years
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70 CL
Natural colour: No
EAN no.: 4015670700132
Serving suggestion: In a Daiquiri or Mojito

Flavour profile

Clean · Tropical · Vanilla · Light · Versatile

Did you know?

Angostura's rum range shares a distillery with the house's famous aromatic bitters, and while the recipes are entirely different, both products draw on the same long tradition of precise blending on Trinidad since 1875.

See our full range of Angostura

Cinnamon, cardamom and clove layered on top of a legendary Trinidad rum - Tamboo takes its name from the bamboo drums that once echoed through the streets of Port of Spain.

Expert description

Angostura Tamboo Spiced is a spiced Spirit Drink from Trinidad & Tobago based on Angostura rum, bottled at 40%.

Tamboo Spiced builds on Angostura's classic rum heritage and adds Caribbean spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and clove, naturally sweetened with sugar cane molasses. The name refers to "Tamboo Bamboo", the rhythmic bamboo drums used in Trinidad's street processions before steel pans took over in the 20th century - a tribute to the island's musical roots.

Behind the bottle is House of Angostura, founded in 1824 and today just as famous for its iconic aromatic bitters as for its rum. The distillery in Laventille, Trinidad, has spent decades distilling high-quality rum, and Tamboo Spiced is the house's answer to the growing demand for spiced rum styles.

Tasting notes

Nose

Spiced with notes of vanilla, caramelised apple and a hint of cardamom and cinnamon.

Palate

Cinnamon, vanilla and clove, with inviting nutmeg notes and an almost smoky cardamom tone.

Finish

Medium-length finish of marzipan.

Specifications

Name: Tamboo Spiced
Distillery: Angostura
Region/Country: Trinidad & Tobago
Type: Spirit Drink
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN: 0075496333536
Serving suggestion: On ice or in a cocktail with cola

Flavour profile

Spiced · Vanilla · Cinnamon · Sweet

Did you know?

The name Tamboo comes from "Tamboo Bamboo", an early form of Trinidadian street music where rhythms were beaten on hollowed-out bamboo poles, long before the steel pan became the island's national instrument.

See our full range of Angostura

See our full range of Rum

Named after the river running through Appleton Estate, Black River Casks brings together a hand-picked blend of pot still and column rum from the distillery's older stocks.

Expert Description

Appleton Estate 15 Year Black River Casks is a Jamaican Rum matured for a minimum of 15 years and bottled at 43%.

The rum is an exclusive blend of rare, hand-selected pot still and column-distilled rums, all matured in Jamaica's tropical climate for at least 15 years. The name refers to the Black River, which runs through Appleton Estate's grounds in the parish of St. Elizabeth and has historically played a central role in the distillery's water supply and transportation.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted almond and hazelnut followed by orange peel, vanilla and hints of roasted coffee and molasses, with allspice and cloves and a restrained hogo character.

Palate

Rich molasses hits first, followed by clove-studded orange, cinnamon, almonds, apricot and plums, while brown sugar, orange curacao, guava and ginger add depth, supported by delicate fennel and coriander seed.

Finish

Long and pleasantly dry with leather, polished wood, caramel and shavings of dark chocolate.

Specifications

Name: Appleton Estate 15 Year Black River Casks
Distillery: Appleton Estate
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Rum
Age: 15 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Pot still and column
EAN no.: 5024576212105
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Distillery: Appleton Estate

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Spicy · Nutty · Dry · Complex

Did You Know?

Black River, the rum's namesake, is one of Jamaica's longest rivers and runs right through Appleton Estate's grounds – historically serving as an important transport route for sugarcane and rum between the distillery and the coast.

See our full range of Appleton Estate

21 years in Jamaica's tropical heat and limestone-filtered water from Nassau Valley – these are the building blocks behind one of Appleton Estate's most mature releases.

Expert Description

Appleton Estate 21 Year Single Estate Nassau Valley Cask is a Jamaican Rum matured for a minimum of 21 years and bottled at 43%.

The rum is a blend of hand-selected casks, all crafted with limestone-filtered water from Nassau Valley on Appleton Estate's own grounds and matured in Jamaica's tropical climate for at least 21 years. In the glass, it shows a mahogany hue with an olive-green ring that attests to its age, while the long maturation has given the rum a mature, nutty complexity.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A floral scent that develops into a mature, nutty bouquet with deep vanilla, echoes of orange peel, nutmeg, warm coffee and cocoa.

Palate

Rich vanilla, orange peel, nutmeg, freshly-brewed coffee and dark chocolate, complemented by warm banana bread, cinnamon toast, roasted pineapple and caramelised nuts in a silky, dry medium body.

Finish

Long and dry with a slight sweetness, bananas foster, cinnamon butter and a light smoky black pepper that glides into peanut brittle.

Specifications

Name: Appleton Estate 21 Year Single Estate Nassau Valley Cask
Distillery: Appleton Estate
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Rum
Age: 21 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5024576007008
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Distillery: Appleton Estate

Flavour Profile

Mature · Nutty · Spicy · Full-bodied · Dry

Investment Potential

Medium. With 21 years of maturation and a limited release from Appleton Estate's own grounds, this is a bottle that attracts interest from rum collectors with a taste for mature Jamaican rums.

Did You Know?

Nassau Valley lies at the heart of Appleton Estate's grounds and is known for its limestone-filtered water, which the distillery believes plays a central role in their rum's character, as it passes through the same limestone that has historically given Jamaica its rich agricultural soil.

See our full range of Appleton Estate

Jamaica's oldest, still operating distillery sends out another bottle from the same Nassau Valley, where rum has been distilled since 1749.

Expert Description

Appleton Estate 8 Year Reserve Blend is a Jamaica Rum, a blend of pot and column still rums from Appleton Estate, aged a minimum of 8 years and bottled at 43%.

All rums in the blend are distilled and aged on the same estate in Jamaica's Nassau Valley, where the limestone-rich soils and tropical climate give the rum its distinctive terroir. Reserve Blend places particular emphasis on selected, heavy pot still rums, and no sugar, flavourings or other additives are added.

The result is a balanced rum where juicy tropical fruit meets a sharp, drying oak spice, supported by Appleton's classic orange peel character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Orange peel, ripe banana and spicy nutmeg, with honey and toasted oak.

Palate

Juicy tropical fruit with black pepper, ginger and oak tannins, followed by mellowing toffee, honey and vanilla.

Finish

Long and spiced, with a drying, elegant close.

Specifications

Name: Appleton Estate 8 Year Reserve Blend
Distillery: Appleton Estate
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Rum
Age: Min. 8 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Serving Suggestion: Neat, over ice, or in a classic Jamaican cocktail

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Tropical · Oak-driven · Complex · Rich

Did You Know?

Appleton Estate is Jamaica's oldest continuously operating distillery, with documented distillation dating back to 1749, and all of the house's rums are still distilled, aged and bottled exclusively on the same estate in Nassau Valley.

See our full range of Appleton Estate

26 years in the Jamaican tropical climate has given this Appleton a brutally dry, woody character that sets it apart from the more fruity vintages in Velier's Hearts Collection.

Expert Description

Appleton Estate Hearts Collection 1994 is a Jamaican Single Cask Rum distilled from molasses on a pot still, matured for 26 years and bottled at 60%.

The rum was distilled in 1994 at Appleton Estate and matured tropically for 26 years before being selected by Velier and bottled at cask strength without additives or filtration. The release is a single blend bottled in only 3,000 bottles and forms part of the acclaimed Hearts Collection, curated jointly by Velier's Luca Gargano and Appleton Estate's master blender Joy Spence.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Beautifully fruity with tropical fruit and citrus, along with orange peel and a slight medicinal tone that gives way to brown sugar, cigar box wood, candle wax, coffee, toffee and a touch of grass.

Palate

Brutally dry with heavy wood influence, strong oak, vanilla, orange peel, mint, tobacco and wood spice, where sweetness intertwines with black pepper and spiced wood.

Finish

Grows increasingly dry with intense black pepper, light mint, toasted wood and a hint of coffee.

Specifications

Name: Appleton Estate Hearts Collection 1994
Distillery: Appleton Estate
Bottler: Velier
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Single Cask Rum
Age: 26 Years
ABV: 60%
Size: 70 CL
Cask strength: Yes
Distillation method: Pot still
Distilled: 1994
Number of bottles: 3,000
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Distillery: Appleton Estate
Bottler: Velier

Flavour Profile

Dry · Woody · Spicy · Intense · Complex

Investment Potential

High. As part of Velier's iconic Hearts Collection with only 3,000 bottles and 26 years of tropical maturation, this is one of the most sought-after Jamaican single cask rums on the market.

Did You Know?

The 1994 vintage stands out in the Hearts Collection for its markedly dry, woody profile compared to the more fruity and sweet vintages in the same series, making it an interesting choice for rum lovers who prefer a more robust style.

See our full range of Appleton Estate Hearts Collection

Tannic and green at first, honeyed and soft at the end – this 25-year-old Appleton tells quite a different story than its 1993, 1994 and 2002 siblings in Velier's Hearts Collection.

Expert Description

Appleton Estate Hearts Collection 1995 is a Jamaican Single Cask Rum distilled from molasses on a Forsyths pot still, matured for 25 years and bottled at 63%.

The rum was distilled in 1995 at Appleton Estate and selected by Velier as part of the acclaimed Hearts Collection, curated jointly by Appleton Estate's master blender Joy Spence and Velier founder Luca Gargano. Only 3,000 bottles were produced of this vintage, known for its complex journey from tannic, green character to a warm, honeyed sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Monumental and pronounced with tannic, green wood notes that evolve through medicinal and resinous accents into a rich, gourmand profile with confit fruit, creamy almonds and a refreshing touch of menthol.

Palate

Begins with biting, astringent tannins that quickly transform into a soft, honeyed sweetness with wood, tannins, a hint of fruit, leather as well as mint and orange.

Finish

Wood and bitter elements in the finish alongside an earthy, fresh mint note.

Specifications

Name: Appleton Estate Hearts Collection 1995
Distillery: Appleton Estate
Bottler: Velier
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Single Cask Rum
Age: 25 Years
ABV: 63%
Size: 70 CL
Cask strength: Yes
Distillation method: Pot still
Distilled: 1995
Number of bottles: 3,000
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Distillery: Appleton Estate
Bottler: Velier

Flavour Profile

Tannic · Complex · Spicy · Intense · Elegant

Investment Potential

High. As part of Velier's iconic Hearts Collection with only 3,000 bottles and 25 years of tropical maturation, the 1995 vintage ranks among the most sought-after Jamaican single cask rums on the market.

Did You Know?

The 1995 vintage is distilled on a Forsyths pot still, a Scottish manufacturer of distillation equipment that also supplies several renowned whisky distilleries, underscoring the craftsmanship behind Appleton Estate's pot still production.

See our full range of Appleton Estate Hearts Collection

Not funky, high-hogo Jamaican rum, but a more sophisticated, elegant spirit – the 1999 vintage shows a different side of Appleton Estate's pot still tradition.

Expert Description

Appleton Estate Hearts Collection 1999 is a Jamaican Single Cask Rum distilled from molasses on Appleton's copper pot still, matured for 21 years in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 63%.

The rum was distilled in 1999 and selected by Appleton Estate's master blender Joy Spence and Velier founder Luca Gargano for the acclaimed Hearts Collection – a series of the first single-marque pot still rums the distillery has ever released. The 1999 vintage offers a more sophisticated and elegant profile than the typical funky, high-hogo style often associated with Jamaican rum.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Medicinal first impression with esters and glue, tropical fruit such as pineapple and banana, herbaceous molasses and roasted wood notes of leather and caramel, spicy, developing with air into citrus, orange peel, anise, vanilla and baking spices.

Palate

Pineapple, orange, sour grapes, butterscotch, black tea, nutmeg and gummy bear tones in a profile that is classic Appleton, but turned up a few notches.

Finish

Elegant and lingering with toffee, light caramel and a warm, inviting conclusion.

Specifications

Name: Appleton Estate Hearts Collection 1999
Distillery: Appleton Estate
Bottler: Velier
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Single Cask Rum
Age: 21 Years
ABV: 63%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks
Cask strength: Yes
Distillation method: Pot still
Distilled: 1999
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Distillery: Appleton Estate
Bottler: Velier

Flavour Profile

Elegant · Fruity · Spicy · Sophisticated · Complex

Investment Potential

High. As part of Velier's Hearts Collection, curated by Joy Spence and Luca Gargano, the 1999 vintage ranks among the most sought-after Jamaican single cask rums, particularly for collectors who appreciate a more elegant, less funky style.

Did You Know?

The Hearts Collection was the first single-marque pot still rums Appleton Estate ever released under its own name, making the 1994, 1995 and 1999 vintages a historic milestone for the distillery.

See our full range of Appleton Estate Hearts Collection