Kirk and Sweeney Kirk and Sweeney 12 Year Dominican Rum NV 750ml

Named for a wooden schooner famed for smuggling rum during Prohibition, this amber rum has a relatively light feel for a spirit aged a full 12 years. Flavors and aromas run to hazelnut, cookie dough, brown sugar and vanilla, pepped up with dark chocolate and espresso. Presented in a rotund “onion” bottle modeled after an 18th-century design.

The nose of this rum is really sweet: notes of toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, port (raisin and chocolate) and molasses. While this a sugar cane juice based rum, not molasses-based like many others, the extended aging in charred, white oak bourbon barrels gives this rum that burnt sugar/molasses aroma. The flavors of toasted marshmallow and vanilla are initially prevalent, but earthier notes of oak and black tea are most prominent on the finish. Hints of pineapple and lime give this rum that sugar cane based freshness.