Two Shores Las Cabras Premium Golden Rum No. 04 (Peated Cask Finish)

Two Shores is an Irish independent bottler, and this Las Cabras Panama, number four in its golden rum series, is a deliberately unusual release. The molasses spirit was aged eight years in former bourbon casks in Panama, then shipped to Ireland for a further six months in old peated whisky casks, before bottling at a powerful 65% cask strength.

That peated finish transforms the soft, mellow Panama base into something far smokier and more assertive. The nose carries peat, spice, vanilla and caramel, the palate turns spicy and peaty with nutmeg, and the finish stays warm, woody and smoky. It is an intriguing crossover that brings whisky style peat smoke to a normally gentle Spanish style rum, demanding water and patience at this strength. Added sugar is not disclosed, but the character here is driven entirely by the wood and the smoke rather than any sweetness, a bold curiosity for drinkers who enjoy peat.