Bacardi, the Bermudian-based global spirits company, has launched Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rye Cask Finish, the second instalment in the brand’s limited-edition cask finish series.

The new aged rum offering rolls out this month as part of the brand's five-year collection – after last year's inaugural and sell-out release of Bacardi Reserva Ocho Sherry Cask Finish.

An exclusive cask finish series variant will debut every August through 2025, each year featuring a unique flavour profile from its intricate barrel ageing and finishing processes.

Teeming with distinct notes of smokiness interlaced with wood, caramelised brown sugar, and subtle vanilla, the company said Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rye Cask Finish has a deep, rich mahogany colour filled with aromas of gingerbread, maple sugar, and a hint of spiciness.

To complement the brand's flagship premium rum, Bacardi Reserva Ocho, this year's variation is aged in North American oak barrels for eight to 12 years and finished in rye casks during the final two months.

The result is a velvety and luxurious liquid best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Bacardi said.

Each limited-edition bottle features a unique marque number and the year of production, as well as a higher proof of 90, or 45 per cent alcohol by volume, which differs from the base spirit at 80 proof.

Lisa Pfenning, vice-president, Bacardi for North America, said: "In 2018, Bacardi set out to introduce a true, robust portfolio of premium rum offerings spanning four to over 12 years in age.

“As the leader in the rum category, we're always challenging ourselves to innovate, introducing new and unique expressions to bring more people into the sippable rum universe.

"Rum is in a unique position because it has a natural warmth that invites conviviality and connection, unlike other dark spirits on the market.

“Whether you're an experienced drinker or someone new to rum and dark spirits in general, you can easily celebrate that special occasion with Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rye Cask."

As a family-owned brand, Bacardi said, it has been creating premium rums for centuries in collaboration with its deeply knowledgeable master blenders, each carefully chosen and trained in seven generations of rum-making expertise.

At the helm is Astrophel "Troy" Arquiza, who assumed the prestigious role as global master blender in November 2021 following a more than two-decade tenure honing his craft as a rum blender with Bacardi.

In keeping with the brand's commitment to heritage and innovation, the company said, Mr Arquiza chose Bacardi Reserva Ocho as the base in the Reserva Cask Finish series to exemplify its roots as the original premium rum, dating back to the Bacardi family private reserve in 1862.