Patridom Navidad Exclusiva

Patridom Navidad Exclusiva is a Dominican rum released as a festive, holiday-themed bottling. It comes from the Spanish-style tradition built on a light molasses spirit, but this is not a dry straight ron, it is a deliberately sweet, aromatic style aimed at a rich, seasonal flavour rather than purist restraint, and it should be read that way.

The sweetness and added flavour are the point here, giving a soft, nutty character laced with brown sugar and orange peel on the nose. The palate is nutty and dessert-like with vanilla, milk chocolate and coffee, and the finish carries milk chocolate, orange and more vanilla. It is closer to a sweet, festive sipper or a flavoured rum than a dry aged spirit, smooth and easy at 40%. For drinkers who want a warming, confected Christmas pour it does the job, but it makes no pretence of being a lean, sugar-free ron.