Rum Nation XO 20th Anniversary Edition

Rum Nation's XO 20th Anniversary is a Guatemalan rum sourced from Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, column-distilled and given a marked sherry-cask influence, bottled by the respected Italian house at 40%. It sits in the softer, Spanish-style end of Rum Nation's range, a smooth, rounded, dessert-leaning bottle where the sherry and the rounded sweetness do much of the talking, so it is best framed as a gentle sipper rather than a lean, dry one.

The nose gives vanilla, caramel, dried fruit and clear sherry; the palate is vanilla, caramel and a sweet, woody roundness, finishing on wood, spice, burnt sugar and dark chocolate. The grape and raisin of the sherry casks sit over honey and gentle oak, very easygoing and newcomer-friendly, though drinkers who dislike a strong sherry hand may find it dominant. Smooth and approachable, it suits fans of soft, sweet Guatemalan rum and works neat or over ice as an undemanding after-dinner pour.