Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum

Millie is a multi-award-winning drinks writer who travels the globe to learn about its most traditional, storied and exciting spirits for publications around the world. She's garnered a serious love of rum in its many forms having recently visited numerous islands in the Caribbean - from St Lucia to Jamaica.

If you enjoy warming and slightly sweeter spirits, then the rich and gentle heat of spiced rum is the match for you. It meets the un-spiced original with vanilla, nutmeg and allspice, ramping things up with more cinnamon and clove – proper Christmas cake notes. Reminiscent of Jaffa cakes too – the chocolate and orange peels come into their own.

Spice isn't just for Christmas - this spiced rum is super versatile and works in a spiced version of a Mai Tai in the warmer months, or in a coupe as a Cable Car for something slightly more bracing. As is usually the case though, rum is a drink to enjoy with friends. Rocking up to a party with a bottle is a big vibe.

Whether you’re new to spiced rum or a seasoned expert, this is one of the best benchmarks you'll find for the category - especially when it comes to the balance of the added ingredients and their vividness on the nose and the palate. It's not too sweet either which will be welcome news to many.

I like how versatile this spiced rum is when it comes to mixed drinks, but if you fancy sipping it neat, I'd suggest over a large sphere of ice just to bring some chill but not too much dilution. I, however, love it warm in a Hot Buttered Rum – a nice change for seasonal hot drinks.

If neat, I'd say a large sphere of ice to chill it down but not dilute it too much. When it comes to mixed drinks, crushed or large cubes always work (it's meant to be drunk in hot weather after all!).

For sipping, a rocks glass works nicely; for cocktails, rocks again, or a hurricane for extra flourish. If you're going for a hot drink, your favourite mug will do - or an Irish Coffee glass if you've got guests coming around. With all of these, think about a garnish that will pull out a defining spice or ingredient.

It might not be traditional but pouring a shot of this over vanilla ice cream, with a tiny sprinkling of salt to top it all off, is enough to bring a tear to the eye. Paired with dark chocolate is a more restrained but no less delicious option too.