Crucial Drinks Rum & Cane British West Indies XO

Rum & Cane British West Indies XO is a regional blend from Crucial Drinks, marrying column distilled molasses rum from Barbados and Trinidad into a six year old bottling at 43%. It is positioned as an easy, natural style rum, a useful stepping stone for drinkers moving away from heavily sweetened bottles toward something drier and more honest.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks and certified unsweetened, it keeps a bright, fruity character. Fresh cut citrus leads the nose with a touch of smokiness behind it, the palate brings banana, honey, cocoa and spice, and the finish settles into mild vanilla and light wood. Without added sugar to round it off it stays lively and a little sharp, which suits its role as a relaxed sipper or a flavoursome base for cocktails rather than a dense, after dinner pour.