Tasting Notes for Rum & Cane Merchants Spanish Caribbean XO Rum
Nose: Spice, smoke and toffee.
Taste: Soft and fruity with molasses and coffee flavours leading up to a nice spicy intensity.
Finish: Medium length with a touch of spice.
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As the name would suggest, Rum & Cane Spanish Caribbean XO is a blend of specialty premium rums from the Spanish speaking Caribbean regions. In this case, this means Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The rums in this unique blend are crafted from molasses and distilled using column stills, then aged in ex bourbon casks. It’s labeled as “XO” — which has no legal definition in the world of rum — but we assume that these rums are at least 5 years old. Notably, this is a strictly limited release — there are only 2000 bottles to be had world-wide. All Rum & Cane Merchant Remarkable Region rums are naturally aged, have no additives, never chill-filtered and bottled at 43%. The bottle and display tin really is beautiful. It definitely won’t look out of place on your shelf!
Rum & Cane Merchants say, “A buttery spice, smoke, coffee and molasses rum from Cuba & Dominican Republic. Cuba produces a lighter, crisper rum than elsewhere in the Caribbean thanks to a request from the Spanish Crown.” -
West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants is the new rum brand from Crucial drinks. Officially based in The City of London, they are blending great premium Rums that focus on regional flavours and styles, with each blend a marriages of rums from two different distilleries from one region. Importantly, it does seem like they are trying to do things the “right” way and all of their rums are naturally aged, have no additives, and are never chill-filtered. The rums are described as XO, or extra old, which is kind of a meaningless term that has no legal definition, but judging by the colour of the rum and the fact that they haven’t added any caramel colouring, we assume that these rums are at least 5 years old.
Design-wise, Rum & Cane Merchants have come up with another winner. The bottle is designed to mimic the dutch rum “onion” bottle of yesteryear which was used by Dutch merchant ships in the 18th century. The wide body of the bottle gives it a low centre of gravity and minimises spillages when opened on choppy seas. Needless to say, it'll definitely be safe on your shelf and certainly won’t look out of place. We’re not sure why, but it really does seem that all the best bottles are saved for rum! -
Producer Unnamed distilleries in Cuba and Dominican Republic Style Column distilled molasses rum Age No age statement Volume 70CL ABV 43%