Wester Spiced

Rich noted strong nose. Had a bottle for my birthday.

I didn't like it much at first. I prefer to drink rum neat or on ice, and this had a strange taste that I didn't enjoy enough - but after a few days and a few more glasses, it started to grow on me a bit. By the end of the bottle I would say it was alright, but nothing special by any means.

It pulls you everywhich way in a tasting marathon that results in you going no where of much significance. I get an almost burnt pineapple note to it, with a lorry load of cloves and anise notes that are overbearing on the finished product. It's like coughsyrup.

Vanilla spiced rums aren't really my thing, but this one is quite tasty, and has an upstart/small production vibe about them. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember being told this one is unsweetened—which, if true, is commendable (though in fairness it matters less in this category). The company utilizes a very modern/hipster brand aesthetic, which at once attracts and repels (but I think overall will serve them well). In the end, a solid choice for Scots, who seem to have no shortage of smaller-production spiced rum brands at their fingertips.