Rum Nation Oloroso Sherry Finish 2017 2012

Rum Nation, the Italian house known for regionally styled releases with a tropical and European two-stage approach, bottle this five-year Trinidad rum from the 2012 vintage with an oloroso sherry finish. At 46%, it is a softer, sherry-inflected take on Trinidad that leans dry and spicy, sitting in the accessible middle ground rather than chasing strength.

The molasses spirit takes on oloroso sherry influence in its second stage, which brings apricot, marzipan, vanilla and caramel on the nose. The palate is sweeter with raisin and caramel but firms up into pepper, dark chocolate and stone fruit, and the finish turns dry, marzipan-edged and noticeably woody with a sharp, peppery snap. Added sugar is unconfirmed and softer Rum Nation lines can be lightly dosed, so it sits between sweet and dry. It suits drinkers who like a spicy, sherry-touched profile with a peppery Trinidad edge at a comfortable proof.