C.A.D.C RA Rum 2007

Rum Artesanal, the bottling arm of Heinz Eggert in Germany, works in the unsweetened full proof tradition, and this 2007 Venezuelan is a strong example. Distilled on a column still from molasses, it was matured in a Cognac cask and drawn as a single cask at a hefty 59.8% with nothing added, a world away from the country's softer commercial rums.

Caramel and woody spice open the nose, but the signature is a foresty, almost spruce like resin that runs through the whole glass, joined by blackberry, cassis and dark fruit. The palate turns spicy, peppery, anise tinged and herbal, with espresso, dark chocolate and a Cognac praline richness on a long woody finish. Intense yet coherent, it carries its strength well and earns its place alongside drier, more structured rums. This is a sipper for those who want power and resinous depth rather than easy sweetness.