Duca di Salaparuta Rump@blic Origins (Spain & Venezuela)

Duca di Salaparuta, the Sicilian wine house, bottle this Rump@blic Origins as a blend of rum from Spain and Venezuela, a young three year old spirit matured in ex-bourbon wood and bottled at 41.5%. It belongs to the Italian wave of rum bottlings drawing on broad origins, an entry level blend pitched at accessible, everyday drinking.

The nose opens promisingly with butterscotch and pineapple that nods toward Jamaica, and the palate brings caramel, coconut and bitter orange before a finish of allspice, caramel and vanilla. Some tasters find it a little fleeting, the early aromas fading faster than hoped, which is a fair note on a young, soft blend at this strength. At 41.5% it drinks easily and inoffensively, a gentle, fruit and caramel leaning rum best understood as a casual sipper or mixer rather than a deep or long finishing pour.