Mezan Panama Rum 2006 (75cl, 40%)

Mezan Panama Rum 2006 is a vintage Panamanian rum distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2015 after roughly nine years in ex-bourbon casks. It is made from estate-grown sugarcane and fermented with the distillery's proprietary house yeast. Mezan's "Untouched" philosophy means no added colour, no added sugar and only light filtration. The rum is bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Nine years in two separate sets of ex-bourbon casks gave it buttery caramel and dried apricot on the nose, soft tropical marmalade and burnt sugar on the palate, and a long finish of brown sugar, candied orange, nutmeg and clove. Serve it neat in a tulip glass; a few drops of water will open the tropical fruit.