From 1655 to 1970, every sailor in the British Royal Navy received their daily rum tot, a fixed recipe kept secret for over three centuries. When the Royal Navy ended the tradition, Pusser's secured the right to recreate the exact recipe for the public.

Expert Description

Pusser's Rum British Navy is a Rum from Barbados distilled from a blend of five stills and aged in charred oak barrels, bottled at 40%.

The rum is built on the original recipe the Royal Navy used for the daily rum tot from around 1655 until 1970, when the tradition was discontinued. In 1979, American entrepreneur Charles Tobias gained access to the previously secret recipe and established Pusser's Rum Ltd on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to recreate it for the public. The name "pusser" is navy slang for the officer responsible for the ship's rum store and the daily ration.

The rum is made entirely from natural ingredients with no added flavourings, built on a blend from five different stills, including the world's last remaining wooden pot still.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Classic Demerara character with brown sugar and molasses.

Palate

Leather, tobacco, dried sultanas, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon.

Finish

Soft oak, caramel and rich English toffee.

Specifications

Name: Pusser's Rum British Navy
Bottler: Pusser's Rum
Region/Country: Barbados / British Virgin Islands
Type: Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Charred oak barrels
Distillation Method: Blend of five stills, including a wooden pot still
Serving Suggestion: With cola as a classic Painkiller or neat

Flavour Profile

Classic · Molasses-forward · Spiced · Leathery · Round

Did You Know?

Pusser's Rum still uses the world's last remaining wooden pot still, a technical rarity that has otherwise disappeared from rum production elsewhere in the world.

See our full range of Pusser's

The world's last surviving wooden double pot still of its kind still distils rum as though it were still the 1800s.

Expert description

El Dorado Port Morant 1999 is a Single Still Demerara Rum from Guyana, distilled on the Diamond distillery's famous Port Mourant wooden double pot still in 1999, matured for 16 years in former bourbon casks and bottled at 61.4% with no added sweetening.

The Port Mourant still is the world's last surviving wooden double pot still of its type and produces a markedly heavier, smokier, more earthy rum than most other Demerara still styles. Being part of El Dorado's Rare Collection, the release is neither filtered nor sweetened, letting the still's raw, historic character come through undisturbed.

Tasting notes

Nose

Smoky and earthy with intense spiced tones, a greedy fruitiness evoking cooked apple, vanilla and cinnamon, extended by liquorice, almond and walnuts, highlighted with candied orange, tar, aniseed, black pepper, cloves and nutmeg.

Palate

Woody notes explode on the tongue, transitioning into spiced aniseed and tar followed by a buttery, oily, nutty caramel, surprisingly citrus-forward with sweetness and dryness on the first sip.

Finish

Vibrant woody aromas, sweet spices and dried fruit blend harmoniously into a refined, delicate finish with a hint of citrus.

Specifications

Distillery: El Dorado (Demerara Distillers)
Region/Country: Guyana
Type: Single Still Demerara Rum
Age: 16 years
ABV: 61.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1999
Series: Rare Collection

Flavour profile

Smoky · Earthy · Spiced · Complex · Intense

Did you know?

The Port Mourant still is the last surviving wooden double pot still of its type in the world and has been in continuous use since the 1800s, making every bottle from this still a piece of living distilling history.

See our full range of El Dorado

Only 3,000 bottles in the entire world from a single historic pot still – the kind of scarcity that makes rum collectors pay attention.

Expert description

El Dorado Versailles 2002 is a Single Still Demerara Rum from Guyana, distilled on the historic Versailles pot still in 2002 and bottled at 63% as part of El Dorado's Rare Collection.

The Versailles still is one of the last surviving single-distillation stills of its type in the world and produces a markedly heavier, more robust rum style than the blended releases in El Dorado's core range. Because the release is unfiltered and has no added sugar, it comes across as raw and intense, its 63% strength underlining the still's characteristic power.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light brown sugar with a touch of sourness, complemented by caramel, tobacco, tropical fruit and cinnamon.

Palate

Powerful with charred oak and pronounced tannins, where plum notes dominate and leave a light bitterness along with a hint of pepper.

Finish

Dry and spiced with liquorice tones and a persistent, intense close.

Specifications

Distillery: El Dorado (Demerara Distillers)
Region/Country: Guyana
Type: Single Still Demerara Rum
Age: Distilled 2002
ABV: 63%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 3000
Series: Rare Collection

Flavour profile

Powerful · Tannic · Spiced · Dry · Intense

Did you know?

The Versailles still is one of the world's last surviving single-distillation stills of its original type, and every batch from this exact still carries an unmistakable, heavy character that cannot be replicated on any other still in the world.

See our full range of El Dorado

Six different cask types is a rare sight in a single rum. Here, bourbon, malt, port, sherry, tempranillo and tequila casks have each contributed their own layer.

Expert description

Puntacana Club Muy Viejo is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, matured 6 to 8 years in a combination of bourbon, malt, port, sherry, tempranillo and tequila casks and bottled at 37.5%.

The rum is produced by Puntacana Rum Distillery in the Dominican Republic, known for its experimental approach to cask maturation. By combining up to six different cask types, Muy Viejo achieves a layered complexity, where each cask adds its own nuance of spice, fruit and sweetness to the final blend.

Tasting notes

Nose

Toasty notes, ripe fruit, sweet spices and creamy oak, with a hint of dried nuts.

Palate

Soft and creamy, with wood, syrup, raisin, dates and freshly charred wood.

Finish

Long, with clear caramel and vanilla.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: 6-8 years
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon, malt, port, sherry, tempranillo and tequila casks
EAN no.: 7466871107447
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Complex · Spiced · Fruity · Caramel

Did you know?

Puntacana Club Muy Viejo is one of the few rums in the world matured in as many as six different cask types, including tequila casks, an unusual choice even among experimental rum producers.

The casks that previously held Don Guido, a Pedro Ximenez over 20 years old, give this rum a sweetness that borders on sinful.

Expert description

Dos Maderas Luxus 10+5 Years is a Rum from Barbados and Guyana, matured 10 years in the Caribbean and a further 5 years in Pedro Ximenez casks in Spain, bottled at 40%.

The rum is a blend of two English-style rums, where Barbados contributes sweetness and Guyana contributes fullness. After 10 years of maturation at the production sites in the Caribbean, the casks are sent to Williams & Humbert's cellars in southern Spain, where the rum matures for a further 5 years in casks that previously held Don Guido, a Pedro Ximenez sherry over 20 years old.

Tasting notes

Nose

Almond, milk chocolate, light cocoa and caramel, with a hint of orange and aromatic herbs.

Palate

Soft and round, with almond, vanilla, oak and a clear sherry character.

Finish

Short, sweet close with sherry and a hint of spice.

Region/Country: Barbados and Guyana
Type: Rum
Age: 10+5 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in Pedro Ximenez casks
EAN no.: 8410028900138
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Sweet · Nutty · Sherry-influenced · Soft

Did you know?

The casks used to finish Dos Maderas Luxus previously held Don Guido, a Pedro Ximenez sherry aged over 20 years, which explains the rum's unusual depth of sweetness.

See our full range of Dos Maderas

Whole cinnamon sticks, not powder, are left to steep in the rum long enough that the aroma is almost detectable through the cork.

Expert description

Oksen Baton de Canelle Entier is a French Spiced Rum from Martinique, infused with whole cinnamon sticks and bottled at 40%.

The Oksen family macerates whole cinnamon sticks sourced from Madagascan farming cooperatives, chosen both for quality and for environmental and social sustainability, directly in an agricole-based rum from Martinique. Because the cinnamon is added whole rather than as powder or extract, the flavour draws out more slowly and evenly into the rum, giving a cleaner, more authentic spice character.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense and almost entirely dominated by cinnamon, so powerful the rum comes across as almost spicy-sharp on the nose.

Palate

Christmas-pudding-like sweetness with raisins, cinnamon and orange, tying the flavour together in a warm, spiced whole.

Finish

Warm and spiced with cinnamon as a persistent undercurrent.

Specifications

Bottler: Famille Oksen
Region/Country: Martinique / France
Type: French Spiced Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Serving suggestion: Gently warmed as a rum toddy or over ice

Flavour profile

Cinnamon · Spiced · Christmas cake · Warm · Raisin

Did you know?

The cinnamon sticks in Oksen Baton de Canelle Entier come exclusively from Madagascan farming cooperatives, selected both for product quality and for their work on environmental preservation and fair conditions for local farmers.

See our full range of Rum

The syrupy 12-year edition in pocket format, for those who want to compare before committing to the full-size bottle.

Expert description

Ron Abuelo Miniature Añejo 12 Year Gran Reserva is a Rum from Panama, distilled on a four-column still and matured at least 12 years, bottled at 40% in a small 5 cl bottle.

The contents are identical to the large 70 cl bottle of Gran Reserva 12 Year from Varela Hermanos, just in miniature format. This makes it ideal for tastings or gift boxes, where you want to compare the house's 7-year and 12-year releases side by side without investing in two full bottles.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramel and crème brûlée, followed by baked apples and a hint of orange.

Palate

Thick and syrupy with notes of maple syrup, banana, honey and vanilla, complemented by orange peel and baking spices.

Finish

Long with woody spice and a lingering, syrupy sweetness.

Bottler: Varela Hermanos
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Rum
Age: 12 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 5 CL
EAN no.: 7451101210233
Serving suggestion: Neat as a tasting sample

Flavour profile

Syrupy · Sweet · Spiced · Full-bodied

Did you know?

Placed side by side with the 7-year miniature, this 12-year miniature offers a convenient way to taste through the effect of five extra years of maturation without opening two full bottles.

See our full range of Ron Abuelo

Same grandfather, just in pocket format. A small bottle for those who want to taste before investing in the full-size version.

Expert description

Ron Abuelo Miniature Añejo 7 Year Reserva Superior is a Rum from Panama, distilled on a four-column still and matured at least 7 years, bottled at 40% in a small 5 cl bottle.

The contents are identical to the large 70 cl bottle of Reserva Superior 7 Year from Varela Hermanos, just in miniature format. This makes it ideal for tastings, gift bundles, or testing the rum before investing in a full bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Resinous wood sap, buttery caramel, toffee banana and cinnamon.

Palate

Sweet from the start with dried fruit, nuts, orange zest, toffee, leather and tobacco, with cinnamon spice.

Finish

Long, dry and woody, with smoky notes, dried fruit and toffee.

Bottler: Varela Hermanos
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Rum
Age: 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 5 CL
EAN no.: 088291110608
Serving suggestion: Neat as a tasting sample

Flavour profile

Toffee · Spiced · Dried fruit · Round

Did you know?

Miniature bottles like this are often used for gift boxes or tasting sets, where several Abuelo releases are compared side by side without needing to buy full bottles of each.

See our full range of Ron Abuelo

An American whiskey distillery from West Virginia ventured into rum for once and found two Jamaican rums from 1990 and 1985 respectively, which blended together yield an average age of 28 years.

Expert Description

Smooth Ambler 1990 Revelation is a Jamaica Rum, a blend of column still and pot still distillates with an average age of 28 years, bottled at 49.5%.

The rum was assembled by Smooth Ambler Spirits, the American distillery in West Virginia founded in 2009, primarily known for whiskey, for which this release was their first rum bottling. The blend consists of 75% column still-distilled rum from 1990 and 25% pot still-distilled rum from 1985, with the youngest content being at least 23 years old. The rum is bottled without additives and was a limited release, not to be reissued once sold out.

The result is an intense, tropical rum, where mango and coconut meet a meaty, complex body.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense tropical fruit with mango, coconut, pineapple and vanilla.

Palate

Meaty with honey, liquorice, bourbon nuances and a hint of smoke.

Finish

Oak and guava.

Specifications

Name: Smooth Ambler 1990 Revelation
Bottler: Smooth Ambler Spirits
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Jamaica Rum
Age: Average 28 Years
ABV: 49.5%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Column still and pot still

Flavour Profile

Tropical · Intense · Complex · Powerful · Fruity

Investment Potential

Medium. As a limited one-off release from an American whiskey distillery that rarely bottles rum, it has a rarity that interests collectors.

Did You Know?

Smooth Ambler Spirits is primarily a whiskey distillery, and this Jamaican rum blend was the company's very first release in the rum category.

See our full range of Smooth Ambler

The man behind Island Records and the discoverer of Bob Marley is also behind this rum – Chris Blackwell brought his music-industry sense of storytelling with him when creating Blackwell Rum.

Expert Description

Blackwell Fine Jamaican Black Gold Special Reserve is a Jamaican Rum matured in American oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum was founded in 2008 by Chris Blackwell, founder of the record label Island Records and the man who discovered Bob Marley, in partnership with advertising executive Richard Kirshenbaum. Black Gold Special Reserve is made from selected Jamaican rums and represents the more exclusive end of the brand's range, with a deeper and more complex character than the original Blackwell Rum.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Inviting and complex with an initial burst of tropical fruit such as ripe banana, mango and pineapple, followed by caramel, molasses and brown sugar.

Palate

Well-balanced with brown sugar, ripe banana, coconut and baking spice, supported by a light oak influence and the characteristic Jamaican funk that adds depth and personality.

Finish

Smooth and satisfying with lingering warmth, sweet molasses and gentle spice.

Specifications

Name: Blackwell Fine Jamaican Black Gold Special Reserve
Region/Country: Jamaica
Type: Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
EAN no.: 5060119770107
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat or on the rocks

Distillery: Blackwell Rum

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Fruity · Funky · Spicy · Rounded

Did You Know?

Chris Blackwell, the man behind Blackwell Rum, founded Island Records and discovered Bob Marley, who became one of his most influential signings – a story that underpins the brand's strong focus on Jamaican culture and storytelling.

See our full range of Blackwell Rum

Two bottles, two stories. This set places Dos Maderas' two best-known rums side by side, so you can taste the difference yourself.

Expert description

Dos Maderas Gift Set is a set of Rum from Barbados and Guyana consisting of 5+3 Years and PX 5+5 Years, both double-matured and bottled in 20 cl bottles.

The set brings together two of Dos Maderas' signature editions, where rum from Barbados and Guyana is first matured separately in the Caribbean, before being sent to Williams & Humbert's cellars in southern Spain for further ageing. The 5+3 Years is finished in sherry casks, while the PX 5+5 Years is finished in Pedro Ximenez casks, giving each bottle its own distinct style.

Tasting notes

Nose

5+3 Years offers soft vanilla, marzipan and cherry, while PX 5+5 Years has fuller notes of fig, raisin and molasses.

Palate

5+3 Years is balanced with black cherry, orange and spiced oak, while PX 5+5 Years is deeper with dark fruit, sherry and tropical spice.

Finish

Both finish long and sweet, with spiced notes and a hint of tobacco.

Region/Country: Barbados and Guyana
Type: Rum
Age: 5+3 years and 5+5 years
ABV: 37.5% and 40%
Size: 2x20 CL
Cask type: Finished in sherry and Pedro Ximenez casks
Serving suggestion: Neat, side by side for tasting

Flavour profile

Sweet · Spiced · Fruity · Elegant

Did you know?

Dos Maderas double-matures its rum in two countries, first in the Caribbean and then in southern Spain, where the Spanish sherry and Pedro Ximenez casks leave their distinct mark on the final flavour.

See our full range of Dos Maderas

The sugar cane grows right next to the distillery on the small Canary Island of La Palma, cultivated entirely without pesticides.

Expert description

Tres Hombres Cana Brava La Palma is a Rum from Spain, distilled from organically grown sugar cane from 2015 and matured in American oak casks, bottled at 40.8%.

The sugar cane is grown at the Aldea distillery on the northeast side of La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, where the fields lie close to the distillery itself. The rum is carried across the Atlantic by the schooner Tres Hombres, which sails emission-free, and is bottled by the Dutch company Fairtransport, known for combining organic ingredients with sustainable transport.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh sugar cane, green herbs and a hint of tropical fruit.

Palate

Clean and earthy, with a light sweetness and clear sugar cane character.

Finish

Short and refreshing, with lingering herbal notes.

Region/Country: Spain
Type: Rum
Age: 2015
ABV: 40.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Serving suggestion: Neat or in light cocktails

Flavour profile

Clean · Earthy · Herbal · Light sweetness

Did you know?

La Palma is one of the few places in Europe where sugar cane is still commercially grown, a tradition dating back to the Spanish colonial era.

See our full range of Tres Hombres

Where Black Seal is the dark, spiced classic, Gold is the lighter, more elegant side of the Gosling family's rum heritage.

Expert description

Goslings Gold is a Bermuda Rum matured around 5 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from Gosling Brothers, the family-owned Bermuda company that has produced rum since 1806. The Gold expression is a blend of pot still and column still distillates, composed to be lighter and more elegant than the house's darker Black Seal, with a golden colour and a profile that places more weight on fruit and spice than heavy sweetness. The rum won gold at the International Rum Festival Awards in 2003.

Tasting notes

Nose

Creamy vanilla, stone fruit, dried peel and a hint of tropical fruit salad, underpinned by toasty oak and spice.

Palate

Soft and rounded with zest and fruit salad, a slight nutty note and pepper, balanced by cane sugar and damp wood.

Finish

Light, vanilla-driven and spiced, with a persistent, pleasant close.

Specifications

Bottler: Gosling Brothers
Region/Country: Bermuda
Type: Rum
Age: 5 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5391338002374
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in a rum-based sour

Flavour profile

Elegant · Vanilla · Fruity · Light · Spiced

Did you know?

Goslings Gold won gold at the International Rum Festival Awards in 2003, just a few years after the Gosling family truly began marketing the rum internationally beyond Bermuda.

See our full range of Goslings

From the esteemed house of Oliver & Oliver comes this Cuban rum, where 12 years of maturation have given a deep, balanced character with distinct wood and spice complexity.

Expert Description

Ron Cubanacan Reserva Familiar 12 Years is a Cuban Rum matured for 12 years, bottled at 38%.

The rum is produced by Oliver & Oliver, an esteemed house within Cuban and Caribbean rum production. After 12 years of maturation, the rum stands as a prestigious, aged rum with a well-balanced structure, where caramel, vanilla and dried fruit play alongside a light oak spice and a pleasant warmth.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Inviting aromas of caramel, vanilla and dried fruits, with subtle hints of oak and spice.

Palate

Smooth and well-balanced with toffee, dark chocolate and a touch of spice, balanced by a gentle oakiness.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering notes of caramel and dried fruits.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cubanacan Reserva Familiar 12 Years
Region/Country: Cuba
Type: Rum
Age: 12 years
ABV: 38%
Size: 70 CL
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Bottler: Oliver & Oliver

Flavour Profile

Caramel · Full-bodied · Spicy · Fruity · Warm

Did You Know?

The name "Cubanacan" refers to central Cuba and was originally the term used by the indigenous Taíno people for the island's central region.

See our full range of Rum

At the foot of the Kanlaon volcano on Negros, this rum matures for at least seven years in a hot, humid climate that quickly draws character from the cask.

Expert Description

Don Papa Mount Kanlaon Small Batch is a Philippine Rum matured for a minimum of 7 years, bottled at 40%.

The rum is distilled and matured in small batches at the foot of Mount Kanlaon on the island of Negros. The region's hot, humid climate promotes a rapid maturation process and an "Angel's Share" of up to 8%, meaning a significant portion of the rum evaporates from the casks during maturation. The result is a deeply golden rum with a copper glow and a full, aromatic character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fruity without being heady, with vanilla notes enveloping citrus fruits such as mandarin and grapefruit as well as yellow fruits such as ripe apricot.

Palate

Smooth and delicate with vanilla, honey and candied fruit, where sweet tangerine and apricot are followed by vanilla ice cream drizzled with runny caramel sauce, plus hints of raisin, sultana and marmalade.

Finish

Long and rich in texture.

Specifications

Name: Don Papa Mount Kanlaon Small Batch
Region/Country: Philippines
Type: Rum
Age: Minimum 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4809015157015
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat or on the rocks

Distillery: Don Papa Rum

Flavour Profile

Vanilla · Fruity · Honeyed · Full-bodied · Golden

Did You Know?

The hot, humid climate at the foot of Mount Kanlaon produces an Angel's Share of up to 8% per year, far higher than the 2-3% that typically evaporates in more temperate maturation climates.

See our full range of Don Papa

A distillate from 1990, blended with younger rum to an average age over 15 years. It is rare to find a vintage this old on a bottle in this price range.

Expert description

Exquisito 1990 Oliver Ron de Santo Domingo is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, based on a molasses distillate from 1990 blended to an average age over 15 years, bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Oliver & Oliver, who blend the old 1990 distillate with younger rum to achieve balance between depth and freshness. The mahogany colour and smoky, woody character reflect the long maturation, while the tropical fruit notes and fresh sugar cane tones remind us that several younger vintages are part of the blend.

Tasting notes

Nose

Aged wood, creamy oak and sweet spices, with tropical fruit, fresh sugar cane, dried plums and dark cocoa, plus smoke, charred wood and toasty character.

Palate

Powerful and spiced, with a persistent sweetness dominated by fruit, cocoa and vanilla, plus a hint of wood and light smoke.

Finish

Soft and lingering, with a harmonious balance between fruit and vanilla.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: Over 15 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: 1990
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Smoky · Spiced · Fruity · Cocoa

Did you know?

Vintage years like 1990 on a rum bottle often refer to the distillation year of the oldest component in a blend rather than the rum's actual age at bottling, a practice common in the solera-based Dominican tradition.

See our full range of Oliver & Oliver

Five years younger than its older sibling from 1990, but no less ambitious. This edition leans into leather, tobacco and dark chocolate.

Expert description

Exquisito 1995 Oliver Ron de Santo Domingo is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, based on a distillate from 1995 matured for more than two decades in selected oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Oliver & Oliver, who let the old 1995 distillate mature in oak casks for more than two decades, giving it an impressive depth and complexity. Compared to the 1990 edition, which is more toasty and smoky, the 1995 edition leans more into leather, tobacco and red berries in its profile.

Tasting notes

Nose

Complex aromas of dried fruit, vanilla, honey and dark chocolate, accompanied by fine oak and a hint of citrus.

Palate

Velvety smooth with caramel, roasted nuts, ripe plums and a hint of leather and tobacco, plus red berries.

Finish

Long-lasting and elegant, with sweet and spicy notes.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: Over 20 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Selected oak casks
Edition: 1995
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Elegant · Leathery · Tobacco · Fruity

Did you know?

The 1995 edition differs from its older sibling from 1990 in a more elegant profile with leather and tobacco, while the 1990 edition leans more into smoke and toasty character, making the two bottles an interesting pair to compare.

See our full range of Oliver & Oliver

In 1796 the Spanish king banned the very recipe behind this Mexican rum because it had become so popular in Spain that it threatened domestic producers. The name Prohibido, "the forbidden one", is a tribute to that story.

Expert Description

El Ron Prohibido 12 Year is a Mexican Rum aged in a solera system and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Ron Prohibido S.A. de C.V. at Ex-Hacienda Corralejo in Guanajuato, Mexico, where it's aged in a 12-year solera system, a method where younger and older rum are continuously blended through a pyramid of casks so each bottle gains depth from several vintages at once. Some of the casks previously held wine, brandy and sherry, giving the rum its characteristic wine-like and nutty tones.

The solera method means no bottle is ever fully drained of the oldest rum in the system, creating a smooth, complex flavour that builds up over time.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet with anise and rose, blended with apple, raisin and plum, plus dried fruit and a hint of chocolate.

Palate

Full-bodied with caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and plum, balanced by toasted nuts and coffee.

Finish

Smooth and sweet with a note of oak spice and dark chocolate that lingers.

Specifications

Name: El Ron Prohibido 12 Year
Distillery: Ron Prohibido S.A. de C.V.
Region/Country: Mexico
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Solera system with wine, brandy and sherry casks
EAN: 7501033200038
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat at room temperature or with a single ice cube

Flavour Profile

Wine-like · Sweet · Nutty · Fruity · Round

Did You Know?

The name Prohibido refers to how the Spanish king banned the recipe behind the rum in Mexico in 1796, because it had become a serious rival to Spanish producers' own spirits.

See our full range of El Ron Prohibido

Barbados is where rum was born, and the sun on Brighton Beach has spent well over a century working its way into barrels of sugarcane spirit. But the journey doesn't end on the island. The casks cross the Atlantic to the quiet cellars of Cognac, where the rum settles into its final shape. That's the story behind Planteray Barbados Rum 5 Years.

Expert Description

Planteray Barbados Rum 5 Years is a Barbados Rum matured in bourbon casks and Ex-Ferrand cognac casks and bottled at 40%. The rum comes from the West Indies Rum Distillery, also known as Stade's Rum Distillery, founded in 1893 by George Stade in Blackrock, Barbados. Since 2017 the distillery has been owned by the French cognac house Maison Ferrand, and that link is exactly what sets this bottle apart.

The rum is a blend of both pot still and column still distillate, made from molasses and fermented for 3 to 4 days. The first stage of maturation happens in used bourbon casks under Barbados' tropical sun for roughly 3 years, where the heat pulls colour and character quickly from the wood. The casks then sail to Château de Bonbonnet in France, where the rum spends around 2 more years in casks that previously held Ferrand Cognac. This is the double ageing Planteray is known for, and together it adds up to the 5 years stated on the label. Until 2024 the range was called Plantation Rum, but the brand renamed itself Planteray to move away from the word's colonial associations — the name combines "plant" for the sugarcane and "ray" for the sun that ripens it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Baked goods and brown sugar meet honey and dark caramel, with a hint of pipe tobacco and toasted marshmallow underneath. Give it a moment and prune and dark raisin start to show too.

Palate

Bittersweet and toasty, with baked fruit and a faint resinous edge. Midway through it turns almost fruity, like warm apple cake fresh from the oven, carried by a clear oak sweetness.

Finish

Medium length and chocolatey, with one last trace of spice that lingers well after the sip.

Specifications

Name: Planteray Barbados Rum 5 Years
Region/Country: Barbados
Type: Barbados Rum
Age: 5 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon Casks and Ex-Ferrand Cognac Casks
Distillation method: Pot Still and Column Still
EAN no.: 3460410538529
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and works equally well in classic cocktails like a Mai Tai or a Rum Old Fashioned
Distillery: West Indies Rum Distillery
Bottler: Maison Ferrand's

Flavour Profile

Rich · Fruity · Spiced · Round

Did You Know?

The West Indies Rum Distillery sits right on Brighton Beach and is the only distillery on Barbados located directly on the coastline — just steps from the waves the casks later cross on their way to France.

See our full range of West Indies Rum Distillery

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Six miniature bottles gathered in one box offer a shortcut through the entire Plantation/Planteray stylistic universe, from light and fresh to dark and spiced.

Expert Description

Plantation Miniature Gift Set Experience is a Rum Tasting Set consisting of six 10 cl bottles from Barbados, Jamaica, Guatemala and Belize, bottled between 40 and 43.5%.

The set contains Plantation 3 Stars White, Plantation Original Dark, Plantation Grande Reserve, Plantation Gran Añejo Guatemala Belize, Plantation Xaymaca and Planteray XO 20th Anniversary. Together, the six miniature bottles give a broad insight into Plantation/Planteray's different styles, from bright and crisp to dark and spiced, plus a distinctly Jamaican, ester-driven profile and a richer, more polished aged expression. The bottles are packed in a cigar-box-inspired case with tasting notes and cigar pairing suggestions on the lid.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Varies from bottle to bottle, but overall spans from fresh sugar cane and citrus to dark molasses, caramel and spiced oak.

Palate

From light and crisp with tropical fruit to full-bodied and sweet with vanilla, caramel and spices, depending on the individual miniature.

Finish

Short and fresh in the light expressions, longer and warmer in the dark and aged miniatures.

Specifications

Name: Plantation Miniature Gift Set Experience
Region/Country: Barbados/Jamaica/Guatemala/Belize
Type: Rum Tasting Set
ABV: 40-43.5%
Size: 6x10 CL
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat to compare styles

Distillery: Plantation Rum

Flavour Profile

Varied · Fruity · Spicy · Full-bodied · Fresh

Did You Know?

The Experience set's box is designed with inspiration from a cigar box, and the lid features suggestions for which cigars best pair with each of the six rum miniatures.

See our full range of Plantation Rum

Both American and French oak feature in this 12-year-old solera blend from one of the Dominican Republic's most respected houses.

Expert description

Cubaney 12 Years Magnifico Gran Reserva is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, matured on average 12 years using the solera method in American and French oak casks and bottled at 38%.

The rum is produced by Oliver & Oliver, the same house behind Opthimus, and draws its complexity from a solera maturation combining two different oak types. This gives Magnifico Gran Reserva a depth and layer of spice that sets it apart from many other 12-year solera rums in the same price range.

Tasting notes

Nose

Woody character with dried fruit and butterscotch, plus chocolate, cocoa, toffee and vanilla.

Palate

Full-bodied, with caramel, toffee and flambéed banana, supported by spice.

Finish

Long, with fruity and spicy notes plus a hint of tobacco.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: 12 years
ABV: 38%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American and French oak, solera method
EAN no.: 7466871100271
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Full-bodied · Spiced · Caramel · Tobacco

Did you know?

Cubaney is produced by Oliver & Oliver, the same Spanish house behind the acclaimed brand Opthimus, which explains the shared solera tradition between the two brands.

See our full range of Cubaney

The name says it all: this is the smoothest of Oceans' three 7 year old releases, made to go down easy without losing its character.

Expert description

Oceans 7 Year Mellow is a Rum, blended from fine and robust sugarcane distillates and matured for at least 7 years in white oak casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from Ocean's Distillery in Spain, an independent bottler founded in 2012 that matures its rums in warehouses in the Ayala Valley in the Basque Country as well as on the island of La Palma in the Canaries. The Mellow expression is composed specifically to highlight a smooth, accessible profile where sweetness and spice are balanced without sharp edges, unlike the house's more intense Tasty expression.

Tasting notes

Nose

Aromatic and appealing with sweet notes of caramel, vanilla and marzipan alongside banana and a hint of orange, plus a light sweetness reminiscent of prunes and dried ripe grapes.

Palate

Smooth and quite sweet, dominated by caramel, vanilla and a marzipan-like pastry character.

Finish

Short but well-developed, with a subtly perceptible sweetness combined with a well-transformed wood note of vanilla and sweet dry almonds.

Specifications

Bottler: Ocean's Distillery
Region/Country: Spain
Type: Rum
Age: 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: White Oak
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in a snifter glass

Flavour profile

Smooth · Caramel · Marzipan · Sweet · Accessible

Did you know?

Ocean's Distillery matures its rums in two vastly different climate zones at once, both the cool, humid Basque Country and the warmer Canary island of La Palma, letting the bottler experiment with how different climates affect maturation.

See our full range of Oceans

Where Mellow settles in softly, Tasty leaps forward lively – two siblings of the same age, but with entirely different temperaments.

Expert description

Oceans 7 Year Tasty is a Rum, blended from fine and robust sugarcane distillates and matured for at least 7 years in white oak casks, bottled at 40%.

Like Mellow, the rum comes from Ocean's Distillery in Spain, but the Tasty expression is composed to highlight a livelier, spicier and more fruit-driven character than the house's smooth standard. This makes it a more direct, outgoing experience appealing to those who prefer a rum with more edge and freshness than the smooth Mellow.

Tasting notes

Nose

Complex with notes of basil and exotic touches, along with clear vanilla, apple and almonds from the cask ageing.

Palate

Almost brash and lively with fruity undertones and sweet, spicy tones.

Finish

Caramel and dried figs with an oaky finish and a hint of discreet spice.

Specifications

Bottler: Ocean's Distillery
Region/Country: Spain
Type: Rum
Age: 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: White Oak
EAN no.: 8414606405213
Serving suggestion: Over ice or in a rum cocktail

Flavour profile

Lively · Fruity · Spiced · Caramel · Fresh

Did you know?

Tasty and Mellow share the same base of sugarcane distillates and the same 7 years of ageing on white oak, but differ markedly in character because each is composed with its own purpose in mind – a point Ocean's Distillery deliberately uses to demonstrate how much cask selection matters.

See our full range of Oceans

Two glasses come included in the box. This edition of the 5+5 classic is ready to be shared the same evening it is opened.

Expert description

Dos Maderas Gift Set with 2 Glasses is a Rum from Barbados and Guyana, double-matured and finished in Pedro Ximenez casks, bottled at 40% and delivered with two glasses.

The rum follows Dos Maderas' signature process: rum from Barbados and Guyana is first matured separately in the Caribbean for 5 years, after which the casks are sent to Williams & Humbert's cellars in southern Spain for a further 5 years of ageing in casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez sherry. The gift set with two glasses makes the bottle ready to be shared right away.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fig and raisin, with rich, ripe fruit.

Palate

Dark fruit seasoned with tropical spice, wrapped in sherry notes.

Finish

Smoky oak with a hint of tobacco leaf.

Region/Country: Barbados and Guyana
Type: Rum
Age: 5+5 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in Pedro Ximenez casks
EAN no.: 8410028900817
Serving suggestion: Neat, glasses for two included

Flavour profile

Sweet · Fruity · Sherry-influenced · Spiced

Did you know?

Dos Maderas' 5+5 concept, where the rum is double-matured in two countries, was developed in partnership with the Spanish sherry producer Williams & Humbert, whose cellars are still used for the Spanish finishing.

See our full range of Dos Maderas

Mauritius is better known for its sugarcane fields than its rum exports. This bottle shows why that should change.

Expert description

Bristol Classic Finest Mauritius Cane Juice Rhum is a Rhum Agricole from Mauritius, distilled from fresh sugarcane juice and bottled unaged at 43%.

The rum is distilled at La Bourdonnais Estate on the north of Mauritius and released by the English bottler Bristol Classic Rum, known for sourcing single-distillery rum from around the world. Because it is distilled from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses and remains unaged, the style is vivid and clean, with a vegetal character sitting somewhere between classic agricole rum and smoky mezcal, rather than the more fruity, aromatic agricole rums often found from the Caribbean.

Tasting notes

Nose

Green apples, lemon, grass and white pepper, with muscovado sugar, new leather and dried apple slices.

Palate

Light and vegetal, with cooked cane juice, mild spice and a touch of leather.

Finish

Lingering muscovado sugar and peppery spice.

Bottler: Bristol Classic Rum
Region/Country: Mauritius
Type: Rhum Agricole
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Column distilled from fresh sugarcane juice
Serving suggestion: In a Ti Punch or other agricole cocktails

Flavour profile

Vegetal · Fresh · Spiced · Clean

Did you know?

Mauritius has a long tradition of sugarcane cultivation but produces surprisingly little rum compared to its neighbour Réunion, making bottles like this a rare opportunity to taste the island's pure, agricole-based rum style.

See our full range of Bristol Classic

There are several Matusalem expressions, but the 23 is the one that feels like a culmination, the ultimate statement of the house's solera philosophy.

Expert description

Ron Matusalem 23 Year Gran Reserva is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, matured through the solera system in French oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from Matusalem, a house founded in Santiago de Cuba that has produced in the Dominican Republic since the Cuban revolution in 1959. The number 23 refers to the oldest components in the solera blend, where rum of varying ages is continuously blended and drawn from the bottom casks. The use of French oak, unlike the more common American oak in the house's other expressions, gives this release an extra layer of elegance and complexity.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramel, toasted oak, coffee and banana, with fresh honey, crisp almond and cedar wood.

Palate

Smoothly balanced, with honey, vanilla and molasses, alongside roasted almonds and leather.

Finish

Spiced and long-lasting, lightly bittersweet, with dark chocolate, roasted nuts and baking spices such as cinnamon and cloves.

Distillery: Matusalem
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: Solera 23
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: French oak casks, solera
EAN no.: 0766094110055
Serving suggestion: Neat, in a cognac glass

Flavour profile

Caramel · Coffee · Elegant · Spiced

Did you know?

Matusalem is one of very few rum houses to use French oak rather than American in its oldest solera releases, a technique borrowed directly from cognac production and part of why the 23 comes across as more elegant than the younger Matusalem expressions.

See our full range of Ron Matusalem

Opthimus Rum Miniature Gift Box 6x 2 cl

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

97 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast isn't everyday for a rum. Centuria is proof of what Varela Hermanos can do when the family takes its time.

Expert description

Ron Abuelo Centuria Reserva de la Familia is a Rum from Panama, blended in a solera system from rums up to 30 years old, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from Varela Hermanos, which has distilled rum in Panama since 1908. Centuria is the house's undisputed flagship, a solera blend where older and younger rum is continuously blended through stacked casks, giving a depth and consistency that is hard to achieve with single-vintage maturation. The name Centuria, derived from the Latin word for hundred, honours the family's over hundred-year history in the rum business.

Tasting notes

Nose

Crème brûlée, toffee, dark chocolate and coffee, with baking spice, toasted oak and a subtle smokiness, complemented by walnut, orange and brown sugar.

Palate

Soft on entry, lightly sweet, with tobacco and orange, where sweetness, a certain freshness and well-integrated alcohol come together perfectly.

Finish

Long and elegant, with lingering spice and a dry, woody ending.

Bottler: Varela Hermanos
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Rum
Age: 30 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Solera system
EAN no.: 7451101210158
Serving suggestion: Neat in a snifter glass

Flavour profile

Elegant · Spiced · Nutty · Complex

Investment potential

Medium. Centuria is the house's most acclaimed release and has achieved 97 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, making it a firm fixture for collectors of premium Panamanian rum.

Did you know?

Centuria has achieved the rare feat of scoring 97 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, one of the highest ratings any Panamanian rum has achieved.

See our full range of Ron Abuelo