This is a single cask rum from Varela Hermanos Distillery in Panama, distilled in 2004 and bottled by House of Rum in 2023. It is bottled at 57.5% ABV, and the cask yielded 255 bottles. The producer states that it contains no added flavours, colouring agents, sugar or other additives, which is useful to know if you’re comparing rums.
 
The maturation is in two stages. The rum spent 12 years in Panama’s tropical climate in ex-bourbon casks, then a further 7 years ageing in the UK in ex-rum casks. That adds up to 19 years, which matches the gap between the 2004 vintage and the 2023 bottling.
 
The nose opens with vanilla and custard cream, then fudge and liquorice root. Apricot and candied orange peel lead the fruit, with a little honey, overripe banana, ground black pepper and a light balsamic note underneath. The palate is vanilla, honey and cigar box, with a silky honey-syrup sweetness tempered by bitter ground coffee and liquorice. Dried peach, apricot, figs and dates come through mid-palate, and the finish has winter spices, a hint of leather and butterscotch.
 
The rum won a Master medal in the Dark Rum Aged Over 13 Years category at the Rum & Cachaça Masters 2025. Separately, House of Rum was named Independent Bottler of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge 2026, which recognises the bottler rather than this rum.
 
Tasting Notes
 
Nose: Vanilla and custard cream, fudge, liquorice root, apricot and candied orange peel, honey, overripe banana, ground black pepper, a little balsamic note
Palate: Vanilla, honey and cigar box; silky honey-syrup sweetness set against bitter ground coffee and liquorice; dried peach, apricot, figs and dates
Finish: Winter spices, a hint of leather and butterscotch