Havana Club Anejo Reserva 700ml, 40%

This 80 proof rum (no age statement is included) isn’t as dark as you might expect, but it’s got a sweet kick and a definite smoothness that makes sipping a pleasure. Add a cube of ice — there’s a lot of alcoholic heat here, and it’s tempered well with a little chill and a touch of meltwater. There’s a bit of funk in the nose, but it doesn’t translate to the body of the rum itself, which has the character of fresh sugar cane — less “processed” than many rums. Works well in cocktails but it’s designed for sipping straight.