Simon‘s Bavarian Nordic Rum Leap Annorum

This Leap Annorum bottling from Simon's is a single cask German rum, distilled in Bavaria from molasses and a strong showing for the country's growing craft rum scene. Aged in ex-bourbon and bottled at 44% with no added sugar, it is built honestly around the spirit and the cask rather than dosage.

The nose is characterful and slightly wild, a glue and pear topnote over caramel and raisin, before a palate that turns dark and savoury with prunes, vanilla and an unexpected meaty edge. The finish carries green, candied and vanilla notes with a faintly furry texture. The absence of sweetening lets the fermentation character and oak speak clearly, and the result is fine yet playful, the kind of dry, expressive European rum that rewards a patient sip over a casual one.