Botran Miracielo Reserva Especial Spiced

Botran is one of Guatemala's established rum families, and this Miracielo wears its spiced, sweetened intentions openly. The base is a light column still molasses spirit, the sort of clean canvas the Spanish style relies on, here flavoured and sweetened so the added character does most of the talking. At 38% it is gentle, and honesty matters: this is a flavoured rum, not a dry aged sipper.

The nose leads with vanilla, sweet spice and ripe fruit, and the palate follows into plum, raisin, peach and baking spice with a touch of liquorice on a sweet finish. For a spiced rum it is not especially fiery, leaning instead on smooth, fruity sweetness that recalls a compote or a soft dessert wine. Taken for what it is, it makes a relaxed comfort dram or an easy cocktail base, best chilled or over ice rather than studied neat.