First Impressions
Ruta Maya's Coffee Rum Liqueur combines Belizean rum with Pacamara arabica coffee beans from Guatemala — one of Central America's finest coffee varietals. At 36%, it positions itself as a premium coffee liqueur with rum credentials, targeting the Espresso Martini crowd.
Tasting
The nose is genuinely coffeeish. Rich coffee and dark chocolate lead, with butter and vanilla adding richness. There's a warm caramel note that ties everything together. It smells like real coffee, which isn't always the case with coffee liqueurs.
The palate delivers on the nose's promise. Chocolaty and buttery, with the Pacamara arabica adding genuine coffee depth rather than artificial flavouring. Dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla support the coffee, and the character is smooth and dessert-like. The rum base adds enough backbone to prevent it from becoming cloying.
The finish is medium with coffee, chocolate, and a clean bitter-sweet close.
The Bottom Line
At £30.50, Ruta Maya Coffee delivers excellent value as a coffee liqueur. The Guatemalan Pacamara beans are the real deal, and the result is a liqueur that makes a genuinely good Espresso Martini. Recommended over several more expensive competitors.
