Botran No. 8 Reserva Clásica (40%)

Botran No. 8 Reserva Clásica shows a lighter, fruit-forward side of the house style. It begins with virgin sugar cane honey, taken from the first pressing of the cane, which gives the rum a softer and more refined core than a heavier, darker style would suggest. From there, it is matured in Guatemala at altitude, following Botran’s layered approach with rums of different ages brought together and developed in ex-American whiskey casks, medium toast whiskey casks and ex-Oloroso sherry casks.

In the glass, it feels open and polished, led by vanilla and tropical fruit, followed by gentle spice and toasted wood. With a little time, notes of banana, pineapple, a hint of coconut and a mild sweetness begin to show more clearly. The cask influence stays present but well judged, allowing the fruit, vanilla and maturation to remain in balance. The result is an approachable, smoothly built rum with a classic Guatemalan signature, equally at home neat or in cocktails that call for a little more character.