Top 7 Rum picks

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Venuzuelan Rum - 70cl 40% - A fabulous Venezuelan dark golden rum, distilled from molasses in a copper pot still before it's aged for up to 12 years. Rich, sweet and fruity. Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is one of the most awarded rums, with more than 20 awards to its name.

Ron El Rumbo Cuban White Rum - 50% 70cl - Distilled in one of Cuba’s oldest distilleries, the molasses settles in for the first year of aging of the "Aguardiente" (Aqua Vitae). This is followed by two more years in American Oak barrels, after which “its course” is set. The course (El Rumbo) it takes brings it across the Atlantic to Snowdonia Distillery in Wales where it gets transferred to freshly emptied Cognac casks.

Cabal No 1513 Aged Rum - 43% 70cl - A blend of rums from Guatemala, Guyana, Trinidad, Panama and the Caribbean, Cabal No.1513 is finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks in Speyside, providing a distinctive, complex character. Aromas of caramel, dark chocolate, orange, plums, and toffee fill the nose, complemented by notes of barbecued pineapple, caramelised apples, fruit cake, figs and sweet sherry throughout the palate.

Trois Rivieres Cuvvee de L Ocean Rum - 70cl 42% - A white rum from Trois Rivières made from the fresh juice of local sugarcane grown on the waterfront of Anse Trabaud in south Martinique. This sugarcane is said to add a mineral, salty character to the rum. They suggest pairing with seafood or using it in a Daiquiri for a unique maritime spin.

Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum - 46.2% 70cl - Black Tot is a modern take on an old style of rum, inspired by more than three centuries of naval tradition. Bringing together the core components of British Naval rum, being fresh and fruity. Rather than the rich and dark style of the past, it layers elegant and fruity Barbados rum with rich and full-bodied Guyanan and funky Jamaican to create a rum that marries tropical fruit tones with a rich undercurrent of chocolate and coffee.

Hampden 8 Year Old Estate Rum - 46% 70cl - Hampden Estate's official bottling, now with a permanent age statement of 8 years old. This Jamaican pot still rum is one of the most exciting spirits currently being made anywhere in the world. The signature estery notes are commonly referred to as funky and are created from long wild fermentations which take place over weeks rather than days.

R L Seales 10 Year Old Barbados Rum - 43% 70cl - Terrific flagship rum bottled by Richard Seale, the famous Bajan rum producer and now proprietor of Barbados's Foursquare distillery. This stuff is excellent. Slightly sweet palate, warm spiciness, cidery roasted apple and caramel. Woody toffee apple, creamy vanilla and milk chocolate with lingering spice appear on the finish.