I'll be interested to hear your thoughts, Jules.  As I said, I really can't work out their price/age system.  My Flor de Cana 5 Year Old Black Label was delicious, and costs more than the 12-year-old that you've just bought.

Sadly, my days of experimentation are over though.  As I don't have any acceptable official documentation proving I'm over 18 Amazon won't deliver alcohol to me.  They even require proof of age for alcohol-free beer.   I might, otherwise, have been tempted by a bottle of the 18-year-old for Christmas.

You don't have anything that's proof of DOB??

No passport, don't drive, and I don't "do" buses, so no bus pass.  Royal Mail will only ask to see a valid photo identification if the recipient appears to be under 25, and most companies, the big supermarkets for instance, use the visual approach, but not Amazon it seems, who require Valid photographic ID.

Trust me, I do look over 25.  Only just though. 

DOB?  That was all? No ID required?  Bastard!!! 

Yikes,  I'm afraid it's a *big* thumbs down for the '12yr old'! 

I could barely drink it neat. There's not a huge amount of flavour but what there is, is very unsubtle indeed, almost industrial and tastes very mass produced. The age statement is most suspicious, as what would be the point in aging this for years? There's no complexity that has developed and no individual notes / elements that would benefit from a long maturation ... I'm really hoping that the Mrs will drink it with coke - will find out later!!   

I was in M&S and decided to take a punt on their own label Dark Rum, made in Guyana. Not too much of a gamble at just 8 quid a half bottle...

Rich, dark, oily and fruity like an Xmas pud with citrus, raisin and brown sugar notes. A shame it's only 37.5% but the lingering flavours are really excellent. What a discovery and terrific value - I will return for a full size bottle.

Another Xmas tipple arrived and one I'm looking forward to as it's highly rated - Diplomatico Reserva rum from Venezuela.

amzn.eu/d/4rOLFdz

RASPBERRY


HAZELNUT


ELDERFLOWER



Chocolate Espresso Martini


The Frangelico goes very nicely with Kahlua or in a mug of hot chocolate, and the St Germain add's a nice edge to a G&T.  The Chocolate Espresso Martini and the Chambord I have no clue about, but hopefully it'll be fun finding out.  Add those to the plonk I've (over)bought, and the fact that I haven't drunk alcohol for the best part of a year, or seriously for about 4 years, and I'll see you some time in January.  Either that, or I just won't be arsed to open them, and they'll sit gathering dust until next Christmas.  Both of those arre possibilities. 

Tastes like bottled Christmas - rich, smooth and spicy. I like the toffee and raisin notes, with subtle hints of oily orange. Satisfying on the palette with a lingering finish, its reputation is certainly deserved and scores highly in terms of VFM. I doubt I will buy another though, as there are too many other rums to explore!