N. Kröger Wagemut Ida van der Ille

Wagemut Ida van der Ille from bottler N. Kroger is honest about what it is, a sweet vanilla forward rum liqueur rather than an aged sipper. The pull here is genuine vanilla, drawn from real pods instead of vanillin, which gives the sweetness a rounder, more natural character than many spiced or flavoured bottlings at this price.

At just 33.2% it is soft and mild, with almost no burn and a short, creamy finish of vanilla, honey and toffee. There is no pretence of depth or heavy rum structure, and the molasses base sits well in the background. It works best as a dessert pour over ice, alongside coffee, or folded into sweet cocktails where its vanilla can carry. Drinkers chasing dry, characterful rum should look elsewhere, but as a gentle after dinner treat it is easy and unfussy.