Skipper Demerara is one of those bottles that sits quietly on the bottom shelf while flashier rums command attention above. Produced from Guyanese Demerara sugar, distilled at the Diamond Distillery — home to the last remaining wooden Coffey still in the world — Skipper is an old-school dark rum that makes no apologies for what it is. And what it is, frankly, is excellent value.
The rum is a blend of pot still and column still distillates, aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels before being blended and coloured with caramel. Yes, there is added caramel — this is not a purist's bottle. But the underlying spirit has genuine character and depth that the colouring enhances rather than masks.
On the Nose
The nose is immediately inviting — thick treacle and brown sugar, with a strong molasses backbone. Beneath the sweetness lies a dark, almost brooding quality: coffee grounds, dark chocolate, and a hint of burnt orange peel. There is an earthiness too, a minerality that speaks to the Demerara terroir. The oak provides vanilla and a touch of coconut, but this is fundamentally a molasses-driven nose.
The Palate
On the palate, Skipper delivers a robust, full-bodied experience. The molasses richness dominates, with brown sugar and treacle providing an almost chewy sweetness. But it is not cloying — a firm backbone of oak tannin and a peppery spice from the pot still component keep things in balance. There are notes of raisin and date, a gentle coffee bitterness, and a warmth from the 40% ABV that feels honest and unpretentious.
The Finish
The finish is medium to long, with molasses and brown sugar fading into a dry oak and pepper conclusion. The coffee note lingers pleasantly, and there is a final flash of allspice that provides a satisfying full stop.
Skipper Demerara is a rum built for mixing. In a Dark and Stormy, it is superb — the molasses richness standing up beautifully to ginger beer's fire. In a Rum Punch, it provides the deep, dark backbone that lighter rums cannot. Neat, it is a perfectly pleasant if uncomplicated sipper. At its price, it represents outstanding value and deserves far more recognition than it receives.
