Bristol Black Spiced

Bristol Black Spiced is a flavoured rum from Bristol Classic Rum, the long running English bottler usually associated with purist closed distillery releases. This is a clear departure from that line, a sweetened Caribbean molasses rum spiced and bottled at 42%, and it asks to be judged as a spiced rum on its own terms.

The spicing leans toward anise and licorice rather than the usual vanilla and cinnamon crowd. The nose brings anise, licorice, cinnamon and plum, the palate follows with anise, cinnamon, licorice and spice, and the finish stays licorice and anise driven with warm spice and a pleasant tobacco note. It is openly sweetened, so expect richness rather than dryness, but it is a well composed example that earns praise as a characterful spiced rum for both sipping and mixing. For anyone who enjoys an aniseed and licorice led spiced profile, it offers a more distinctive take than the standard sweet vanilla bottlings.