Own Range Rum

Often claimed to be the birthplace of rum, Barbados has over 350 years’ experience growing sugar cane. This example is softly brooding on the nose, with sugared almonds providing levity, especially allied to a palate offering notes of dense wood and molasses. This is a delightfully old-fashioned rum of a type that has been popular on these islands for generations.

Deep and enticing on the nose, with intense wood spice, this rum exhibits ripe fruit in abundance and a rare complexity. A stunning example from Panama, it demonstrates the ability of the country’s unique climate and terroir to produce world-class rum. The palate is equally complex and balanced, with amazing puissance and longevity but it is not at all overpowering. Exceptional.

The Caribbean boasts a long history of rum distilling, born of the sugar plantations that began to develop in the 17th century. Each country has its own unique style and, with maturity, the full, intense fruit, spice and, often, molasses flavours shine through. Jamaica is renowned for its distinctive full flavoured rum and this example from Monymusk is true to this, with tarry, smoky aromas lurking beneath generous ripe yellow fruit. The palate is layered with complexity and bursts with full-on fruit against a slightly medicinal backdrop.

The Foursquare distillery is renowned for executing perfectly balanced, top-class distillates, and this is no exception. The nose is full but subtly balanced with infusions of ripe yellow fruits, caramel, toffee and a pouch of moist tobacco. The flavours mingle seamlessly to give a sublime infusion of these tropical aromatics. The finish is lingering, balanced and complex but somehow remains uncomplicated. 

From the unique realm of Guyanan Demerara rum, we have an equally unique expression which encapsulates the diverse abilities of this nation to produce something very different. The nose exudes a mix of tobacco leaf and sultana infused with liquorice and linseed. The palate has an oily, fruity and spicy balance and the flavours fight to disseminate but do so in wonderfully staged progression.