Havana Club Añejo 3 Años

Havana Club 3 is a young Cuban ron in the classic light Spanish style, the template the whole category grew from. It is column distilled from molasses to a high, clean strength, then rested briefly in ex-bourbon oak and filtered back to a pale spirit, the lightness and crispness very much a production choice rather than a fault.

The profile is bright and simple: citrus and lemon with a touch of vanilla over young wood and a little alcohol bite, fresh and uncomplicated at 40%. It is unapologetically a mixing rum, made to disappear into a Mojito, Daiquiri or Cuba Libre where its clean character does its job cleanly. Sipped neat it shows its youth, which is fair enough given its purpose. For a budget friendly base behind classic rum and lime cocktails, it is a reliable, no-nonsense choice.