Combine 1 bottle (750milliliters) medium-bodiedaged rum (such asEl Dorado 5 Year, Mount
Gay Eclipse Black, orAppleton Estate V/X),3 allspice berries,3 cloves, 1 cardamompod, 1 segment of a staranise pod, 1/2 cinnamonstick, and 1/8 teaspoons freshlyground nutmeg in alidded 1-quart jar. Twista 4x1" strip of orangepeel (no white pith) justabove the mixture torelease some of its oils;add peel to jar. Split1/2 vanilla bean lengthwise;scrape seedsinto jar and add bean.Cover jar tightly; shaketo combine.
Let sit ina dark place for 2 days,shaking once afterfirst day. Strain mixturethrough cheeseclothor a fine-mesh sieveinto a clean bottle;discard spices. Will keepindefinitely if sealedtightly and stored ina dark, dry place.
