Nusa Caña Spiced Rum

Nusa Cana Spiced Rum takes an Indonesian inspired approach to the spiced category, a molasses rum aged in part in beer casks and bottled at 40%, heavily seasoned rather than relying on the usual vanilla and coconut. It is a flavoured product, so the spicing is front and centre, but the spice choices set it well apart from the mainstream.

The nose is wintery with clove, cardamom and tropical fruit, the palate doubles down on cardamom, clove and ginger with more tropical fruit, and the finish brings clove, orange peel and a touch of coffee. Drinkers liken the aroma to the cauldron at a mulled wine stall, all cardamom and cloves, and note a fruity, pineapple and ginger lift rather than sweetness. The result is dry and strongly spiced, which makes it shine in cola, ginger ale and inventive twists. Anyone sensitive to cardamom or ginger should test a small pour first, as the seasoning is assertive.