Not too long ago, the world of spiced rum was largely dominated by one major player: Captain Morgan. The company’s high-volume rum is one of the world’s most popular spirits, but as far as spiced rum goes, it’s not particularly notable.

In recent years, spiced rum has become a growing sector, from Sailor Jerry to the Kraken to Bacardi Oakheart.

Then, a small distillery in Sarasota, Fla. debuted Siesta Key Spiced Rum, a spiced rum that wowed us in first tasting in 2012, and later won Rum Journal’s Spiced Rum of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.

Troy Robert’s boutique distillery has since found significant acclaim, for both his spiced rum and white and gold varieties.

But now Roberts has reached a different level: he’s taking spiced rum from a mixable cocktail to something more: a sippable one.

Think cognac meets spiced rum.

Enter Siesta Key’s Distiller’s Reserve Solera Blend.

The seriously limited edition rum is a spiced rum aged in a solera method, the result of a three-year project for Roberts.

The first batch has only 300 bottles, available only at the distillery.

The result? A work of art.

It isn’t just an outstanding spiced rum, rich with natural flavours of spice, cinnamon, pumpkin, nutmeg and caramel.

It’s a sippable spiced rum, a rum you could easily drink in a snifter after a good meal.

It’s got an exceptionally smooth finish, with just enough bite to remind you you’re drinking rum.

What will Siesta Key think of next?

— CJ