The Little Distiller Ultimatum Rum Selected Rum

Ultimatum Rum's Selected Rum is a multi origin blend assembled by the bottler The Little Distiller, gathering molasses rums from several distilleries into a single eight year old release. Blends across multiple origins are sometimes overlooked, but this is a well judged example aimed at drinkers who value body and balance over provenance bragging rights.

The marriage of pot and column still spirit gives both weight and cleanliness, and maturation in ex-bourbon wood lends toffee, chocolate and a touch of marzipan. Tropical fruit runs through the palate, and the finish turns woody with a brown sugar sweetness. Declared unsweetened and bottled at 46%, it drinks smoother and rounder than its strength suggests, full bodied without leaning sugary. It rewards neat sipping and shows that a thoughtfully constructed blend can hold its own against single distillery bottlings.