Ron Cristóbal 151

Ron Cristobal 151 is a Dominican overproof bottled by 1423, built for power at a towering 75.5%. This is the high-octane corner of the Spanish style, a rum aimed at cocktails that need a strong, flavourful base or at drinkers who want serious intensity, rather than at gentle neat sipping.

The make is molasses rum bottled at overproof strength. Vanilla, caramel, prunes and young wood lead the nose, the palate brings vanilla, dried dates, candied notes and molasses, and the finish stays sweet with allspice, wood and caramel. It tastes distinctly sweet and richly caramelised, and some drinkers wonder how natural that intensity is. Honestly framed, this is a hot, sweet-tasting, heavily caramelised overproof, formidable neat and far happier adding muscle and flavour to a cocktail than standing alone.