Rum Nation Worthy Park Small Batch Rare Rums 2006

This is the older sibling of Rum Nation's 2006 Worthy Park, here at 12 years and 58% in the dry Rare Rums tier. Rum Nation, from Italy, keeps this line unsweetened, and the extra year and strength push it toward a more serious, structured pour.

Distilled at Worthy Park, the clean, precise St. Catherine estate that draws its esters from fermentation alone, and matured in ex-bourbon wood, it shows the distillery's moderate funk wrapped in oak. Banana, vanilla, glue and fruit lead the nose, then the palate brings banana, cocoa, fruit schnapps and marzipan, with peppery spice and light tannins adding grip. The finish stays woody, bitter-edged and banana-led with a touch of anise. Dry and characterful, it rewards attention rather than casual drinking, a typical Worthy Park that trades fruit-bomb sweetness for astringency and structure, well suited to a contemplative sipper.