Pyrat Rum Xo Reserve 70cl

If you like your rum bold, citrus-forward, and ridiculously easy to fall for, Pyrat XO Reserve is your move. It leans into orange peel and vanilla right away, then keeps unfolding into caramel, spice, and a little oak. This is the kind of bottle that makes your usual rum drinks taste like you finally levelled up.

• Nose: Big orange zest and marmalade, vanilla, toasted sugar, and a warm hit of baking spice.
• Taste: Toffee, caramel, and creamy vanilla upfront, followed by candied orange, cinnamon, and a gentle oak note that keeps it grounded.
• Finish: Long and lingering, with orange oils, sweet spice, and a soft, woody dryness that nudges you back for another sip.

What makes it special is the way it commits to that citrus character. A lot of rums flirt with fruit, this one shows up wearing an orange-peel jacket and it works. You get a dessert-leaning richness (toffee, vanilla, caramel) without it turning into a sugar bomb, because the spice and oak keep things in check.

It’s also a great “bridge” bottle if you’re trying to convert a whiskey friend to rum. The vanilla, toasted sugar, and oak notes feel familiar, but the bright orange twist makes it more playful and cocktail-friendly.

Speaking of cocktails, this rum is a cheat code for anything that loves orange and spice. Think Mai Tais that taste fuller and more aromatic, Rum Old Fashioneds that don’t need much else to feel complete, and even a simple rum and cola that suddenly smells like orange creamsicle and baking spice.

From Anguilla (yep, not your most obvious rum origin), it’s built to be approachable but not boring. It gives you layers to pick apart if you want to nerd out, and it still delivers if you just want something that tastes great, full stop.

Fun Fact: Pyrat XO is closely associated with the Caribbean’s Patron Spirits Company, and the name “Pyrat” nods to old-school seafaring rum culture, minus the cheesy pirate cosplay.