RA Ron de República Dominicana 2018

RA Ron de República Dominicana 2018 comes from Rum Artesanal, the Heinz Eggert label that bottles single casks and small blends in the unsweetened full proof tradition, though this Dominican sits at a gentler 40%. The Dominican Republic is home to the soft, amber, vanilla and caramelised nut school of ron, and this 2018 distillate fits that easygoing mould.

Distilled on a column still from molasses, it is light in body and aimed at relaxed drinking rather than depth. The nose offers caramelised sugar, tropical fruit and a touch of barrel, the palate runs fruity and sweet with soft wood, and the finish turns nutty and candied with a faint coffee note. Sugar status is not declared and the balance reads lightly sweet rather than dry. This is a fruitier, slightly more characterful take on the gentle supermarket Dominican profile, fine neat and equally happy in a simple mixed drink.