Ron Colon 81 Proof

Ron Colon 81 Proof draws on Licorera Cihuatan in El Salvador and gathers rum into a fruit-driven blend bottled at a sessionable 40.5%. The emphasis here is firmly on ripe tropical fruit and easy drinking, a bright and approachable style rather than a heavy, oak-led one.

The column-still character keeps it clean and lifted, with banana, pineapple and tropical fruit dominating the nose and carrying straight through the palate alongside a touch of dried fruit. It stays fruity and uncomplicated from start to finish, the sort of rum that works as a relaxed neat pour and shines as a base for tropical and tiki cocktails. Vivid fruit rather than depth is the appeal, and on that count it delivers a cheerful, sunny glass that is easy to share with drinkers new to rum.