1731 Fine & Rare

1731 Fine & Rare is an independent bottler offering this young Panamanian rum, distilled from molasses on a column still in the soft Spanish style and aged six years in ex-bourbon. Bottled at 46%, it sits at the lighter, more approachable end of the spectrum, where the cask and the gentle Panama spirit shape an easy going profile rather than a powerful one.

The nose shows cocoa, lemon, vanilla and coconut, with a fresh fruit and apple lift, while the palate turns fruity and sweet with caramel and roast, closing on a light, sweet, vanilla finish with a touch of spirit warmth. The rum reads pleasant but fairly simple, with the alcohol not fully knitted in and a soft sweetness throughout. An undemanding, lightly sweet Panama pour for casual sipping or mixing, agreeable enough though it favours easy drinking over depth or structure.