Ron Zacapa Royal

Ron Zacapa Royal sits at the top of Guatemala's best known house, and like the rest of the range it is the cane-honey exception to the molasses rule, made from concentrated fresh cane juice and solera-aged in mixed casks at highland altitude. The solera build means the blend leans young while carrying a thread of older rum, so it is a marriage of components rather than a flat age statement.

The nose is rich with vanilla, dried fruit, caramel and chocolate, the palate brings caramel, chocolate, vanilla and spice, and the finish carries caramel, dried fruit and vanilla with a drier turn. It drinks smooth and honeyed, the sweetness woven through in the Zacapa manner, which is part of the design rather than a flaw to hide. That makes it a relaxed, dessert leaning neat pour and a natural bottle to share, a step up in polish from the core range for those who already enjoy the soft, sweet house style.