Teeling Rum Finish, 70cl

With a couple of awards under its belt El Dorado 3 Year rum is a fine example of a mixing rum which a crispness that lends itself to sharp citrus cocktails and even exotic punches. Coconut is ever-present from first opening and hints of sugary sweet icing sugar are also apparent in the nose. On drinking El Dorado is surprisingly dry with notes of intense brown sugar, a nutty edge and of course that coconut coming through strongly. The end note blends vanilla with the coconut for a fresh finish.

MEGA YUM! Sipsmith boys came up trumps with this one. Super silky mouthfeel with notes of lemon barley water and crushed up breakfast cereal from your schooldays. This is followed by a creamy vanilla moment before more lemon and eventually a brief hard boiled barley sugar with orange rind. Finish is  silky and leaves you with a lovely lemon barley note and a desire for more of the same.

New Grove Honey Liqueur has been blended with New Grove Plantation traditional rum and is composed entirely of sugar cane spirits infused with the natural essence of honey from the island of Rodrigues. Adorned with a pale golden hue, this liqueur knows how to amalgamate intensity with sweetness. Certainly not shy to aromas, it promises scents of spices, citrus peel, grapefruit and subliminal honey bread. It is a marvel to cherish and to enjoy on ice, as an aperitif or digestive.

Remy Martin VSOP Mature Cask benefits from a precise maturation process which involves placing the eaux de vie in specially selected Limousin oak casks that are more than 20 years old. These casks allow the fruity notes of the blend to be enhanced further and it’s a wonderful cognac which can be enjoyed over ice or as a key flavour in a sophisticated cocktail. Apricot and peach take centre stage with notes of rose and sweet vanilla following after.

Rich, dark red in colour with juicy ripe plum flavours on the palate combined with sweet black cherry notes. Best served with roast chicken, beef or lamb dishes.

Clean and intense aromas of ripe red fruits especially plums, cherries and strawberries. The palate is full and flavoursome with a pleasant finish.

Bumbu Rum is based on a recipe dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, used by pirates and merchants as a better-tasting alternative to the grog the Royal Navy served its men. This modern interpretation takes sugarcane from eight Caribbean countries before distilling at the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados. The rum is matured in former bourbon casks for up to fifteen years and blended with all natural native Caribbean spices and pure Bajan water filtered through the coral limestone rocks of the island. No artificial flavours or colours are added. On the nose, aromas of banana are prominent, with cinnamon and vanilla sweetness. To taste, the mature rum and natural spices bring a rich complexity. Sweet and smooth, a big hit of vanilla is followed by orange peel, banana and mango. Subtle fresh herbal notes and a touch of dry tobacco come through with the spices making this an excellent spiced sipper.

Black Tears is produced using molasses sourced from four sugar mills in the Ciego de Avila province of the country. Coffee and cacao is used to create the spice flavour in the rum, which is produced by Grupo Azucarero (AzCuba Sugar Group). The company, which was formed seven years ago, has recommended a serve of 5cl of Black Tears to 15cl tonic in a highball glass.

Pusser's 'Gunpowder Proof' Black Label (previously known as Blue Label) is a higher proof traditional British Naval rum, produced using the blending recipe from the Admiralty. Well loved, it picked up a Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge 2016.