THE NAME was immediately intriguing.

“Old Gold.”

How can you turn down a taste of that?

Old Gold Special Reserve Rum comes from Cockspur, which calls the venerable Barbados’ West Indies Rum Distillery home.

Cockspur is one of the most popular brands on an island that rather legitimately claims to have invented the stuff.

On to the tasting of this five-years-aged pot-still rum.

The colour is, unsurprisingly, a golden-hue of amber, with a pleasant aroma of caramel, molassses and a hint of honey.

The flavour profile is marked by caramel, honey, dried fruit, oak and a hint of spice.

It’s remarkably smooth, and exceedingly drinkable even when taken neat.

All in all, a quite drinkable rum, perfect neat, on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail. It’s a classically Bajan spirit.

But it won’t remain old for long on your shelf.

— CJ