It doesn’t matter if you agree with the categorization of “Spanish Style” or not, I think you’ll know what this is referring to anyway. We have a couple of Rums hailing from different countries, contemporary and antique, full proof and drinking strength. So here we go.

Rum of the World Guatemala 2016 4YO (46%): We rarely have indy bottlings from Guatemala but when we do, they are a lot better than whatever nonsense the OBs come up with. They still aren’t our faves though. That said, the major question remains: Why 46%!? Nose: Very simplistic with sugar, vanilla, herbs (dill!), oak and raisins. There really isn’t much going on here but what do we expect at just four years in the “Spanish style” (I hear you…)? Palate: Dill and vanilla. This reminds me of a certain Guatemalan bottling by Duncan Taylor we’ve had before. It’s actually not bad at all, just very one-dimensional and simplistic. The good news is: a higher abv probably wouldn’t have helped a lot. Other notes include oak, spices from the cask, tobacco perhaps and sugar again. This is definitely drinkable, even though I probably wouldn’t buy this. Finish: Short with dill, other herbs, vanilla and oak. I am not 100% sure what we’ve expected but it is a bit better than that. Plus it has a nice label. (73/100)

Compagnie des Indes Panama “Premium Spirits” 2009 13YO (61,8%): Panama is usually tricky business but from time to time they have a pleasant surprise for us. This one should hail from Don José but of course the distillery is ‘Secrete’. Nose: Sulphur, caramel, tobacco, milk chocolate, pomegranate… Very standard, very typical, and at least in the nose it doesn’t seem to be one of these secrete surprises. Later sour apples, citrus and a smelly barn. Not terrible at least. Palate: Lots of positives here: The integration of the alcohol is rather good, the texture is creamy, the Rum has a very pleasant natural sweetness, the sulphur is gone and the profile isn’t totally dull. It starts with pomegranate, moves over to caramel flavoured chocolate and tobacco, a hint of roasting aromas and oak. And while I really do not have much to complain about here, this is still a profile that will never be a favorite of mine. Finish: Rather on the short side with oak, caramel, sugar and apples. Definitely one of the better Panamanians I’ve had. (80/100)

Simon Brown Sancti Spiritus 1998 15YO (40%): Sancti Spiritus is Cuba, just in case. Not sure how much we should expect here by the way… Nose: Quite alcoholic but at 40% sufficiently aromatic. Grapes, pepper. cloves and nutmeg make this a much more cask driven experience than many of the other Rum of the batch we have had. That doesn’t necessarily make this one any good though, unfortunately. Palate: A bit muted but once again, not too thin if you ask me. Caraway is pretty obvious now and going back to the nose we can definitely find it again. It is quite odd though. Grapes are present, as are mango, vanilla and plenty of spices. Not really my favorite expression I must say. Finish: Longer than you might think with more of the same. I guess it is okay, but we are used to more these days. (66/100)

Don Q Gold 1970s (40%): Don Q never really managed to catch us and I think older bottlings suit our personal palate even less but let’s see. Anyway, it is always cool to taste these antique Rums. After all, they are a product of a different time. Nose: Oh dear, close to neutral alcohol. Don Q has never been known for flavour explosions but I guess that was what everybody wanted to drink at that time. I get some vanilla, a hint of cinnamon perhaps, maybe wood, but that’s it. Palate: Very mild. Let’s give that to them. Flavourwise, vanilla and wood combined with a whiff of pear in the back. Oh boy. Finish: Short and the same. Nope, this clearly isn’t why we’ve become addicted to this hobby but then again, I am not blaming anyone. As I have said, it is the product of a different time. (45/100)

English Harbour Coeur de Savalle 8YO (73,6%): If there’s such a thing as “Spanish Style”, do we count English Harbour as one of them? Questions over questions…Everything is “straight from the …” here. This should give us a very good idea of the true essence of the distillery profile. Nose: Chocolate, banana, caramel… a very typical and honest Rum of the Spanish style (yes, we are done with that term now). The high abv makes it relatively tough to evaluate the nose at first, but after a couple of minutes it opens up – even though it still isn’t excessively aromatic. Palate: The alcohol is a bit numbing at first, but we get a mix of chocolate, cocoa, tobacco, honey/ maple syrup and vanilla. All in all, the alcohol is integrated relatively well at its age. Finish: Medium long with chocolate, caramel and brownies. It is a very solid, but also absolutely dull Rum – once again. If you ask me, Antigua Distillery is only really good if you add a finish to their distillate or when having one of the high ester expressions, but that might be just me. (69/100)

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