Admiral Rodney HMS Formidable

Admiral Rodney HMS Formidable is a distillery bottling from Saint Lucia Distillers, named for the admiral's flagship and built from column distilled rums carrying around fifteen years of age. It sits at the comfortable, accessible end of the island's catalogue, polished and rounded rather than challenging.

Matured in ex bourbon barrels and bottled at 40%, it is certified unsweetened, with sweetness coming from fruit, honey and vanilla rather than added sugar. The palate runs sweet fruit, honey, vanilla and soft oak, with a finish of caramelised sugar, ginger and dried fruit and only mild spice. It drinks well neat for a relaxed pour, and holds up over ice or with cola. For drinkers who like the smoothness of softer Spanish style rums but prefer an unsweetened bottling with a little more Saint Lucian personality, it lands nicely.