Chairman‘s Reserve Original

Chairman's Reserve Original is the everyday expression from St Lucia, built from a marriage of pot and column still rum aged roughly five years in ex-bourbon oak. The pot still portion gives it a thread of island funk and weight, while the column spirit keeps things light and easy, landing somewhere between the smoothness of a Spanish-style ron and the fruitier character of the wider Caribbean.

The nose is toasty and woody with vanilla and a little fruit, leading into a palate of soft spice, vanilla, chocolate and gentle oak, with raisin and coconut in the background. At 40% it is medium-bodied and unfussy, more a versatile mixer and casual sipper than a contemplative one. For drinkers stepping up from mainstream brands who want a touch more character without much cost, it makes a dependable house bottle for cocktails or a simple pour over ice.