El Supremo 12 Años

El Supremo 12 Anos is a Paraguayan rum distilled on a column still from cane honey, aged twelve years and bottled at 40%. South American rums of this kind often aim for a soft, sweet, oak forward profile, and this one sits squarely in that approachable, dessert leaning territory.

Column distillation and ex-bourbon ageing give a nose of vanilla, roasted oak and creme brulee, with a fuller palate of caramel, licorice and prune. The finish turns woody and spicy, though a soapy, synthetic note creeps in for some drinkers and divides opinion. Labelled unsweetened, it still reads soft and sweet in the glass. Reactions range widely, so it is best approached as an easy, low strength after dinner sip, with expectations kept modest.