Mekhong The Spirit of

Mekhong, billed as the spirit of Thailand, is a sweetened molasses based spirit bottled at a low 35%. Long mistaken for a whisky, it occupies an unusual space, technically rum by base but herbal and spiced in character, and it is firmly a mixing spirit rather than a sipping rum.

The profile is light and idiosyncratic. Medicinal, herbal and alcoholic notes lead the nose alongside dried fruit, the palate brings herbal and tropical fruit character with a medicinal edge, and the finish turns to citrus and cookie dough. The added sugar and botanical spicing give it more in common with a flavoured spirit than a classic rum, and honesty is due here, it does not show much rumminess on its own. Its proper home is in a tall glass, lengthened with Sprite or cola, where it makes a simple, easy party drink, an interesting curio of Thai drinking culture rather than a neat pour.