Helmsman Spiced Rum 700ml

Helmsman Spiced Rum is a New Zealand spiced rum from Helmsman, a brand that has been blending rum for Kiwi drinkers since 2012. It is made by infusing naturally grown herbs and spices into a blend of golden Caribbean rums, giving a smooth, rounded spiced rum that is not overly sweet.

Buy Helmsman Spiced Rum Online in New Zealand

The story is simple: two New Zealanders could not find a spiced rum they liked, so they made their own. The base is golden rum from the Caribbean, which brings body and a little oak, and the spice blend is added in New Zealand. The bottle is easy to spot, with a black ribbon shape and gold foil on the label. Helmsman has since added a white rum to its line-up, but the spiced is where the brand began.

Expect banana, vanilla and warm baking spice such as cinnamon, with a softer sweetness than many big-name spiced rums. That balance makes it a good fit for anyone who finds some spiced rums too sugary, and for drinkers who want to support a local brand.

Pour it over ice with a squeeze of lime, or lengthen it with ginger beer or cola for an easy highball. It also works well in a spiced rum punch with pineapple and lime, or a hot buttered rum in winter. Pair it with barbecued pork, grilled pineapple, banana bread or a sticky toffee pudding. Keep it sealed and upright, away from direct sunlight.