A.H. Riise XO Reserve Christmas Rum

A.H. Riise XO Reserve Christmas Rum is a 6 year old molasses rum from the Virgin Islands, matured in ex-bourbon oak and dressed in the brand's familiar sweet, dessert-leaning style with a seasonal spice twist. A.H. Riise leans into smooth, heavily sweetened rum, and this winter edition takes that approach into Christmas-cake territory.

The copy will be honest about it: this drinks more like a spiced liqueur than a dry rum. Expect cinnamon, vanilla, nougat, orange peel and almond with clear baking spice, finishing sweet and wintry. At a soft 40% it is mild and easy, with the sugar and spice doing most of the work, so a little more strength and a little less sweetness would change its character entirely. This is a festive dessert pour or a mulled-wine alternative rather than an everyday rum, one for drinkers who enjoy sweet, spiced bottlings and want something seasonal to sip slowly after a winter meal.