Latino 5 Year Old / Compagnie des Indes arrives from Caribbean with a clear sense of purpose. Compagnie des Indes has built a reputation for aged rums that balance tradition with accessibility, and this expression is a fine example of that philosophy. At 40% ABV, it sits comfortably within the range you would expect, offering enough intensity to be interesting without becoming unwieldy.
The maturation process is where this rum truly finds its character. Compagnie des Indes uses carefully selected oak casks, and the tropical ageing conditions of Caribbean accelerate the interaction between spirit and wood. The result is a depth of flavour that belies the stated age.
On the nose, expect polished oak, vanilla custard, dried apricot, cinnamon, gentle smoke. The palate delivers smooth and refined with vanilla, toasted oak, butterscotch, tropical fruit, and elegant spice. The finish is extended and refined with honey, cedar, dried fruit, and gentle tannins.
Best appreciated neat or with a single cube of ice to open up the aromatics. The complexity here rewards slow sipping. If you prefer a mixed drink, this makes a superb Rum Old Fashioned — the aged character provides the depth that the cocktail demands.
Latino 5 Year Old / Compagnie des Indes is an impressive achievement from Compagnie des Indes. At £43.95, it delivers complexity and quality that many more expensive rums struggle to match. This is a aged rum with real personality — one that earns its place on the shelf through sheer quality of flavour. Highly recommended.
