The longer a spirit is aged in a cask , the more the wood sugars are broken down and enter the flavour of the drink . They tend to be more vanilla or big , bold earthy flavours . Every barrel has a sweet spot , a point in time where the flavour of the spirit and barrel meet to create perfect balance of both . This can totally depend on climate , especially as this processes sped up by high altitudes and heat . The older a rum is , the dryer it tends to be unless it is sweetened something that larger rum companies will sometimes do without putting it on the label . If he likes Captain Morgan Private Stock , try the Sherry Cask . It ' s probably the best thing they ' ve ever done and for the price is a steal . <| sep |> You better redeem yourself next season ! !!