Spirited Union XO

Spirited Union is a botanical-leaning rum brand, and this XO sits at the aged, sipping end of its range. The base is a Panamanian column-still molasses rum, a country whose rons are known for being soft, mellow and gently vanilla-spiced, often sourced from the large Varela Hermanos distillery. Bottled at 41.3%, just above the usual forty, it is built as an approachable after-dinner pour with a touch more presence. Quiet signals from those who have tried it point to it being an easygoing, repeatable glass. Panama rum in this mould tends toward the rounded, lightly sweet side, so expect a smooth, vanilla-led character rather than a dry, spirit-forward one. Sweetness is not disclosed.