Nusa Caña Dark Rum

Nusa Caña Dark Rum comes from Indonesia and ties itself to the country's arrack tradition, a molasses spirit distilled on a column still and rested three years before bottling at a soft 40%. It is the aged sibling to the brand's white, and it sets out to be an easygoing, mixable island rum rather than a heavy contemplative pour.

The ex-bourbon oak makes itself heard, with the barrel sitting forward over sugarcane, caramelised sugar and a touch of pineapple on the nose. The palate keeps that sweet cane character and folds in cocoa, while the arrack note that gives the rum its identity drifts slightly into the background. A roasty, lightly smoky finish carries malt and oak. The three years show their youth, and another spell in the cask would likely deepen it, but as it stands this is a solid, characterful base for a dark and stormy or a rum and cola.