Dos Maderas 5 Years + 3 Years

Dos Maderas is the rum line of Bodegas Williams and Humbert, a sherry house in Jerez, and this is the entry in its double ageing programme. Molasses based column still rum from the Caribbean is first aged in the islands, then shipped to Spain for a further three years in casks that once held sherry, hence the 5 plus 3 on the label. It is the lighter, younger sibling of the longer aged 5 plus 5 in the same range.

The sherry casks lend vanilla, dried fruit, light oak and a soft woody edge, and the rum stays dry rather than heavily sugared, with an oaky finish. At a low 37.5% it is soft spoken and easy, which is both its appeal and its limit, this is a relaxed everyday pour and a gentle mixer rather than a rum that rewards close attention. Drinkers curious about sherry influence will find it approachable and budget friendly, while those after more weight tend to step up to the bolder expression.