Dràm Mòr, Cuba

So good, I broke my no duplicates rule. Dràm Mòr is an independent single cask spirits bottler based in Scotland that aims to source high quality, unique spirits. You’ll notice I’ve said spirits and not rum a couple of times, because Dràm Mòr are most famously known for whisky but made the decision in 2020 to expand into the world of rum. Their approach is summed up nicely on their website:

…we are not limited to one distillery, no matter how great it is, we love all rums equally, from the dunder and funk of Jamaica to the grassy dryness of St Lucia, the range is what makes rum great, and we make it greater by bottling single casks, sometimes after a little extra ageing in some well-chosen wood in the cool and forgiving Scottish climate.

Their Cuban release is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. By selecting and bottling single casks from Cuba, Dràm Mòr brings forward the character and complexity of the base rum while also allowing the subtle influence of the Scottish maturation environment to shine through. This combination of provenance, care, and craftsmanship results in a rum that is both approachable and fascinating, and it’s easy to see why it earned a place on my shelf even if it meant breaking my usual no duplicates rule.

Nose

Oats and brown sugar reminding me of flapjack that’s been slightly burnt. Pear drops and fizzy cola bottles on the back end.

Palate

This packs some heat, heaps of pepper and woody spice; there are also hints of macadamia nuts and vanilla.

Upon adding a couple of drops of water to open this up notes of treacle and some fruit developed whilst reducing the pepper.

The finish is hot and peppery and I can’t help but keep going back for more!

8/10 – An outstanding bottling of Cuban rum.