Despite the slight decrease in gorgeous days, we still believe that spring is here to stay! With warm weather, our minds always spring to lighter spirits and crisp, refreshing drinks. Who doesn’t love to sit on a patio and work on their sunburn? We all have different ideas for what makes a perfect beverage for sunshine and the outdoors, and for us rum is one of these drinks. Whether it be a sweaty, ice-filled glass or a perfectly balanced cocktail, rum has TONS of ways to please when the sun comes out.

Appleton White ($13.99)
When we think of Jamaican rums, we think of the deep funk. Like overripe, dirty bananas. In a good way! That high ester rum is an intrinsic style to many Jamaican rums. Appleton’s J. Wray & Nephew Overproof (named after the parent company) is the #1 selling rum in the home country, which just goes to show how badass the Jamaicans are! It has a fairly high PPM ester count, and exudes rich fruit notes. The entry level Appleton white is cleaner, with a crispness that is quite refreshing. It has inherent sweetness, with vanilla and banana being the driving flavors. There is a little bit of a bite, which makes this more of a mixer, but at $14 a bottle, it’s hard to fight it. Classic Jamaican flavors, even more so of the Appleton distillery specifically, and something that is a great staple to always have around. Our suggestion: make a daiquiri and never look back. If you’re feeling adventurous, play around with the juice you use or the syrup to sweeten it. Fruit or herbs make a great addition to a simple, classic cocktail.

Smith & Cross ($28.49)
There are simply not enough ways to describe how much we love Smith & Cross rum. SO MUCH! Imported by local spirits guru Eric Seed via his company Haus Alpenz, Smith & Cross is perfect for pretty much every occasion. It has the depth and richness that make it great in a glass all by itself. No added sugar, no chill filtration, bottled at navy strength this stuff has made its bones. The weight of it is unmatched in the rum category. It has the complexity and oily aromatics of great malt whiskey while simultaneously being easy, breezy and beautiful. This stuff is high test and high ester, with a profound funk and fruit flavor profile. The other big flavor takeaway is salted caramel. Seriously. It is truly fantastic and one of a kind. Smith & Cross might be a bit boozy for some, so if ice cannot tame it for you, try a cocktail on for size! It makes great daiquiris also, but truly stands out with an orgeat influence. Make a Mai Tai (a REAL one) and you’ll be astonished at how quickly a drink can disappear!

El Dorado 12 ($33.99)
We mentioned the weight and body of Smith & Cross, but OH DANG! El Dorado 12 takes it to a whole new level. Heavier even than some of the malt whisky you find coming out of Scotland, the rum coming out of the Demerara river region in Guyana is rich, velvety and delish! It’s a huge brown sugar bomb, with big crème brulee notes and legs for days. This is a rum that loses a bit of its nuance when mixed in a cocktail. It truly shines when poured neat (or on a rock if you prefer). The color, balance and focus of it is incredible. It has a signature undertone of earthiness that balances out the sweet and gives you a truly well-rounded sip. If you partake, this makes a great cigar pairing. If you don’t, a sunset pairs just as well. Kick back, and enjoy the beginnings of the beautiful seasons in 2016.