Rum

Though pretty much “the” household name when it comes to rum, Bacardí certainly isn’t just about super-popular mixing numbers. To wit, it’s new line of ultra-premium aged sipping rums that comprise the Facundo collection.

These include the bright, floral, vanilla and almond-tinged NEO (meaning “new”) – a blend of young and older reserve spirits; the convention-defying EXIMO (blended before aging – a rarity), with intense aromas of toffee, cocao, vanilla and nuts, and a gorgeous, silky, buttery vanilla-and-nut palate; the elegant EXQUISITO that marries rums aged between seven and 23 years, and aged in a combination of bourbon and pedro ximinez barrels for a complex, nut, caramel and sultana-driven nose that leads into a similarly complex flavour profile. Finally (trumpet fanfare), the PARADISO, a blend of rums aged up to 23 years (the bulk between 16 and 18) finished in XO cognac casks. It’s redolent of warm brown sugar, raisin, marzipan and baking spice on the nose, while the palate is as you’d expect: rich, viscous and showing flavours of praline, honey, toasted nuts and fruitcake. Delicious, as are they all.