This National Rum Day, Diplomático proves that rum can be every bit as luxurious as fine whisky

The rise and rise of sipping rums is something to whole-heartedly embrace. Far from spirits to drown in cola, the best exponents can compete with Cognac and stand side-by-side with serious single malts.

The Venezuelan rum Diplomático comes from a distillery helping to drive the re-evaluation of the spirit and has now launched another in its spectacular series of vintages. The Diplomático Single Vintage 2004 is a rum to invest in, as luxurious on the eye in its pucker packaging as it is on the lips.

The rum is the blend of a collection of quality casks holding a special reserve rum; it was the ambition of Nelson Hernández, maestros roneros (master blender) at Diplomático, to select the finest in his warehouse.

The rum has been maturing in its native Venezuela under tropical conditions for 12 years in American white oak casks, a process that has imbued the spirit with rich vanillins and oak notes from the wood. It has then rested for a final year in oloroso sherry casks, so is incredibly rich in sweet raisin and chocolate flavours, then offset with a fine dry and winter fruit spice.

How should you drink it? In a hefty rocks glass, neat. Add a bit of ice if the heat is getting to you, but otherwise treat this with the same reverence you would a fine Scotch. The new vintage will accompany the Ambassador as part of the brand’s Prestige range and is available for ￡94.95 on Whisky Exchange. Note that fewer than 4,000 nine-litre cases of this limited-edition expression will be available globally.

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And if you rate your rums then note that Diplomatico will be one of 40 brands appearing at the Whisky Exchange Whisky Show this year, in a newly added Rum Zone. “Rum? At the Whisky Show? Sacrilege…” I hear one or two of you muttering, but actually, this is further evidence of how luxury rum is now earning a place next to the sophisticated single malts.

Introducing these rums to the whisky drinker is a marvellous idea and will inspire as much debate as it does joy. The Whisky Show is one of the most important dates in the diary for a discerning drinker and tickets sell quickly so book now.

Tom Sandham is one of the Thinking Drinkers, an award-winning drinks writing double act who are performing their critically acclaimed and sell out comedy drinks shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and across the UK this year. For dates and tickets visit thinkingdrinkers.com

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