Rums

Black Tot is a modern take on an old style of rum, inspired by more than three centuries of naval tradition. Bringing together the core components of British Naval rum, Black Tot is fresh and fruity spirit that blows the cobwebs off the stylebook. Rather than the rich and dark style of the past, Black Tot layers elegant and fruity Barbados rum with rich and full-bodied Guyanan and funky Jamaican to create a rum that marries tropical fruit tones with a rich undercurrent of chocolate and coffee.

A relaunch of Havana Club's Cuban Barrel Proof edition, Selección de Maestros has benefited from an eye-catching packaging upgrade and is bottled at 45% for extra oomph. The Gold Medal-winning liquid inside Havana Club Selección de Maestros remains the same as for the old Cuban Barrel Proof - as the name suggests, the casks have been hand-picked by the maestros roneros from the company's finest aged stocks. The rums selected by the maestros roneros are finished in special casks chosen for their aromatic properties before being bottled at a higher strength than the standard range for a more intense, immediate flavour on the palate.

A 2010 Moneymusk Jamaican rum from Mezan that was matured for 12 years in ex-bourbon casks, initially spending three years in Jamaica's tropical climate before being transported to Europe for a further nine years of aging. Aromas of overripe bananas, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla fill the nose, complemented by notes of oak, mango, lychee, green bananas, black pepper, oak and hints of sea salt throughout the palate.

The inaugural release of small-batch Scottish rum from the Islay Rum Company, located in Port Ellen, Geal is a full-bodied, flavourful rum inspired by the rums of Haiti and Jamaica. Enjoy this unaged rum in classic cocktails, such as a Daiquiri, or on the rocks.

A 2006-vintage Venezuelan rum from the Single Barrel Selection range that was made at a mystery distillery and matured in an ex-bourbon and an ex-Port cask until May 2022. Aromas of blackberries, cherries, oak spice and vanilla fill the nose, complemented by notes of roasted coffee beans, almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate, cherries, tobacco and vanilla throughout the palate.

El Dorado 15yo is a remarkable rum, whose greatest achievement was collecting the Wray & Nephew Trophy for Best Rum in the World at the International Wine & Spirits Challenge for an unprecedented four years running.

Honeyed single estate rum from Venezuela with elements of bitter chocolate, nuts and buttery biscuits. It is made, unusually for a rum, through the solera process: casks of different aged rums are stacked vertically, the oldest (aged around 35 years) at the bottom, and as the distiller draws rum from one cask they top it up with younger liquid from the blend.

A 1976-vintage Rhum Agricole from Clement that has been matured in oak casks, creating aromas of vanilla, toasted almond, peppery oak and ginger that fill the nose. The palate offers notes of warming baking spices, soft fruit, dry oak and caramel that linger in the finish.

A 2014-vintage Australian rum from Rum of Mystery that was made at Beenleigh Distillery in Queensland and initially matured for five years in ex-bourbon casks in a tropical climate, before a further two years aging in Europe in ex-Cognac casks. Aromas of pomegranate, cranberry, mixed herbs, pear, apple and tart oranges fill the nose, complemented by notes of ginger, red plums, blackberries, bitter orange and white pepper throughout the palate.

A fruity, tropical rum from Plantation, made using traditional techniques and locally-grown Fijian sugar cane. Initially matured in bourbon casks in Fiji, this rum is sailed to southwest France where it undergoes a secondary maturation in French oak casks. Aromas of pear, apple, banana, gooseberry, nutmeg, vanilla and a wisp of smoke fill the nose. The palate offers notes of vanilla fudge, prunes, coconut, honey and ginger.