Abuelo 12 Años

Abuelo is the flagship of Varela Hermanos, Panama's dominant rum producer, made at the Destileria Don Jose on multi-column stills in the smooth Spanish style. It is a molasses spirit where character comes largely from the cask, aged to a soft, rounded profile that has made Panamanian rum a byword for easy, mellow drinking.

The glass offers caramel, vanilla and brown sugar with dried fruit, a little wood spice and a touch of smoke on the finish, gentle and comforting at 40%. It carries a soft sweetness in the manner of the style, sitting in the same approachable, dessert leaning lane as other smooth Latin American rums while showing a touch more wood and depth than the very sweetest. Friendly and uncomplicated, it suits relaxed neat sipping or a long drink, and offers a comfortable amount of flavour for the money.