Licorera Cihuatán Jade

Cihuatan Jade comes from Licorera Cihuatan in El Salvador, a column distilled molasses rum bottled without an age statement at 40%. Cihuatan styles its rums for broad, easy appeal, and Jade is a soft, sweet expression clearly aimed at accessible drinking rather than dry, spirit forward sipping.

The nose is fruity with vanilla and caramel over a spirity lift, the palate brings chocolate, citrus, a flowery note and vanilla, and the finish is hot and alcoholic with vanilla and fudge. Drinkers find it markedly sweet, with comparisons to vanilla pudding and toffee that point to a sugared, US market leaning profile, and it is honest to flag that sweetness up front. It struggles to shine in a Cuba libre or daiquiri because of it, working better as a sweet sipper for those who enjoy a dessert style rum. Anyone seeking a dry, classic profile should look elsewhere, but the chocolate and vanilla notes have their fans.