Swell de Spirits Los Convidados Satvrnal Mexican Rum (High Ester) 2023

Swell de Spirits Los Convidados Satvrnal Mexican Rum is an unaged, high ester rum distilled at Los Convidados and bottled by the French house Swell de Spirits at a powerful 64 percent. This is a deliberately wild, polarising spirit, a Mexican take on funk that pushes into savoury, briny territory rather than the usual tropical fruit. It is aimed at seasoned drinkers who enjoy extremes.

Distilled from molasses and finished in tequila casks, it leads with vegetal, olive and salty notes against esters, then a smoky, briny palate of olive, chilli and salty vinegar, finishing earthy and vegetal. The tequila cask influence and high ester base give it a mezcal like salinity that draws comparison to smoky Islay whisky as much as to rum. Unaged and bottled at full strength, it is intense and challenging neat, thrilling for those who like the extreme end. It comes alive in creative cocktails, where its olive brine and smoke add a singular, savoury twist.