1731 Fine & Rare Travellers

1731 Fine and Rare bottled this Travellers Distillery rum from Belize, a twelve year old column still spirit released unsweetened at 46 percent. Travellers is Belize's best known distillery, and this expression keeps the fruit that often fades in older Belize rums while adding plenty of cask influence, an honest pour with no sugar tricks.

Matured in ex bourbon, the long ageing brings clear oak without flattening the fruit. The nose offers roasted notes, vanilla, coconut and pineapple, the palate runs to vanilla, coconut, wood and dark chocolate, and the finish carries caramel, roasted oak, dried fruit and toast. It is drier and woodier than younger Belize bottlings, which suits those who like their rum on the oaky side. Comparable in feel to an accessible but honest rum like Doorly's 12, it sips easily neat or with cola and offers fair value for the age and the unsweetened character.