Short version: I was given a bottle of La Hechicera the other month, am enjoying it greatly and thought it worth a few words.

Longer version: Produced in Colombia by La Hechicera, this appears to be the only commonly-available rum under their own name. They don’t distill their own rum, sourcing the base spirits from across South America and the Caribbean to get the desired characteristics. What they do, though, is take great pride in the blending and ageing of the rum into the final product.

Aged in american white oak casks for an unspecified number of years, which suggests a blending of different vintages – reference is also made to a solera system, although it’s not clear how that compares to the term as it applies to sherry. The rum is proudly sold as ‘unpolished’ – no sugar or additives added to round it out.

A rich, copper colour in the glass, the nose is full, with toffee, vanilla and orange zest giving way to a certain woody note with a hint of coffee there too. Very balanced on the tongue, it leads with the woody notes, a touch of burnt sugar, vanilla and orange. The finish is far drier than I’m used to with rums – a flavour of dark sugar but no sickliness.

I found it delightful – full, complex and intriguing. The comparative lack of sweetness opens up other parts of the spirit, and it has more than enough interest to enjoy unadorned as a sipper. As to utilising it in cocktails, more on that to follow…