Panda, courtesy of SHIG, pours with a nice dark colored body that has thin deep copper hued edges and supporting a thin ring of tan bubbles. The aroma offers up an array of inviting notes such as dark fruity esters, a bit of reduced sugars, chocolate and a sliver of vanilla. The taste delivers a joy of rewarding deep sipper notes. Yes. I get chocolate and vanilla flowing into molasses and a dash of spicy black strap molasses with building smooth rum booziness leading to midway. Heading into the finish smooth sweet dark fruity esters of figs, plums and dates join the fun. Wow, terrific sipping experience.

Panda at home, thanks to SHIG, 16/03/24. Extremely dark mahogany brown with a beige cap that dissipates to a swirl. Nose is figs, dates, stewed fruits, mellow rum barrel, molasses, spice. Taste comprises caramelised dates, figs, prunes, molasses, spice, good rum blast, toasted brown sugars, caramel. Full bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close with a balanced rising boost. Solid rum BA offering.

Bottle: Poured a deep dark brown with red tint, head is khaki. Aroma is boozy, rum, figgy, dark fruit, woodsy, vanilla, very complex. Taste is boozy, rum, vanilla, toffee, figgy, dark fruit, rich malts, alcohol finish.