El Ron del Artesano Rum – Brunello Cask Finish 2010

This is a fourteen year old single-cask Panama rum from El Ron del Artesano, a 2010 vintage finished in casks that held Brunello, the prized Tuscan red, and bottled at a hefty fifty seven point nine percent. It belongs to the house's New Year tradition of experimental releases, and notably carries its sweetness without any added sugar.

Column-distilled from molasses, aged in ex-bourbon wood and then finished in Brunello casks, it leans frankly sweet but naturally so, the wine finish bringing cherry, grape and a red-wine lift over vanilla and cream toffee, with a caramelised, cherry-and-toffee finish reminiscent of a liqueur-filled chocolate. The cask-strength delivery gives that richness real power. This is a liquid-dessert sipper for those who enjoy sweet Spanish-style rum but want a genuine no-sugar bottling, an easy step up in strength carrying a bold cherry-wine twist.