Famille Ricci

Famille Ricci bottles characterful single origin rums under a family banner, and this Nicaraguan is one of its older, bolder statements: twenty two years of age, drawn from a column still molasses spirit and presented at a formidable 60.4% cask strength. Crucially it is bottled without added sugar, which lets the fruit and wood speak rather than a dosage.

Long tropical ageing in ex-bourbon has built a deeply pastry driven profile. The nose is woody and round with vanilla and chocolate, the palate leans into praline, cherry and dark chocolate over oak, and the finish carries spice, cherry and caramel. Reviewers describe it as gourmand to the point of drinking like candied fruit and cotton candy, a genuine dessert in a glass, with the high strength bringing some expected heat and warmth rather than sharp edges. The absence of sugar is part of the appeal here, a richer, cleaner read on Nicaragua for those ready for full proof.