Mezan 2013

Mezan is an independent bottler known for a lighter touch and minimal intervention, and this release takes Nicaraguan rum from 2013, a molasses spirit in the soft Spanish style. Nicaragua, home to Flor de Caña, tends to give cleaner, more spirit forward rum, though this bottling sits on the rounder, sweeter side of that.

Ten years of ex-bourbon ageing gives a gentle, dessert leaning profile. Caramel, a peppery note, sweetness and milk chocolate open the nose, with caramel, more sweetness, wood and milk chocolate carrying onto the palate. The character is round and easy, with the pepper adding a little lift to keep it from feeling flat. Bottled at 46% it has a touch more backbone than the soft standard rons, and while the sugar status is undeclared it reads as lightly sweet rather than dry. A smooth, chocolate tinged sipper for drinkers who like mid aged Nicaraguan ron on the rounder side.