Phenomenal Spirits Ron Izalco 15 Años Cask Strength

Ron Izalco comes from El Salvador, and this Phenomenal Spirits release presents a fifteen year blend at an honest cask strength of 55.3%, matured in ex-bourbon wood without added sugar. It is a Spanish-style rum that breaks from the soft, sweet mould, leaning instead toward a drier, more austere profile.

The nose offers wood, tobacco, toffee and a fruity edge, while the palate turns peppery and floral over tobacco and oak. The finish is firmly woody with tannins, warmth and a clear bourbon-cask signature. A perfumed, almost floral quality runs through it that sets this apart from the usual caramel-led Latin pour, and at full strength it asks for a little water and patience. This is a bottle for drinkers who already favour drier Spanish-style rums and want to test their palate against something with structure and a quirky aromatic streak.