A.H. Riise Royal Danish Navy Naval Cadet

A.H. Riise Royal Danish Navy Naval Cadet wears the Navy name but, like the rest of the brand's range, sits much closer to a sweet rum liqueur than to a dry, tarry Navy rum. A molasses rum from the Virgin Islands at 42 percent, it is built around generous sweetness and easy, dessert like indulgence. It is honest in its register, leaning unmistakably towards the sweeter end.

The sugar leads throughout, carrying caramel, chocolate, dried fruit and nutty notes with a clear Christmas spice character, then a sweet, spicy, molasses tinged finish. The body is syrupy and the rum itself sits behind the dosage, so this is firmly a dessert style pour rather than a structured sipper. At the soft strength the alcohol is barely noticeable beneath the sweetness. It works best in small measures as an easy, crowd pleasing after dinner treat for those who enjoy sweet, spiced rums and do not mind the sugar taking the lead.