In this golden era of cocktails, rum is taking its rightful place next to gin, vodka and whisky.

No longer the poor relation, this spirit distilled from sugar cane is enjoying a renaissance with UK rum sales hitting £1 billion for the first time last year. But what’s your style? White or gold, aged or spiced? We’ve rounded up six amber rums that can be sipped neat, but also work beautifully as a base spirit.

1. With a summer makeover inspired by Cuban street culture, Havana Club Anejo Especial’s (£18.95, 70cl, TheWhiskyExchange.com) new label has vibrant blue and red edges, tree rings, oak barrels and a sand timer to channel the brand’s double aged maturation method.

2. Dead Man’s Fingers (£22.95, 70cl, 31Dover.com) is dangerously smooth, with cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, caramel and vanilla notes.

3. From Puerto Rico with love, champagne chimes with the honey, vanilla and spicy notes in Bacardi Anejo Cuatro 4 Year Old (£22.95, 70cl, TheWhiskyExchange.com).

4. A premium Caribbean rum infused with real spices, we love the edgy look of Cut Spiced Rum (£23.82, 70cl, MasterofMalt.com) and - most importantly - its spicy notes of aniseed, nutmeg, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, coriander seed, lemon and vanilla.

5. Jamaica’s Appleton Estate has some very fine older blends for sipping, but for fruity adventures, you can’t beat Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Blend (£35.55, 70cl, MasterofMalt.com).

6. La Herchicera means ‘enchantress’ in Spanish (£44.75, 70cl, TheWhiskyExchange.com) and this Columbian beauty is a blend of rums aged between 12-21 years to create its distinctive, dry, woody character, with rich aromas of prunes, espresso and cacao.