A.H. Riise XO Christmas Rum comes straight from a distillery in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a blend of several rums aged for a minimum of 20 years in American oak casks. And for this special Christmas edition, it is aged an extra year in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry cask, giving it a distinctive mahogany color.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, the profile is resolutely spicy and baked, like Christmas gingerbread. Licorice is accompanied by rather fresh spices, but these don't jump out at you; they remain rather discreet. A touch of butter and raisins recall panettone or fruit cake. We're right in the Christmas spirit, and it goes even further with a mulled wine in which we imagine a slice of lemon, another of orange, vanilla and honey.
As the rum aerates, a warm orange-peel emanation is diffused with a little more acid pulp. Cinnamon is added to this, bringing to mind a sugar syrup flavored with orange and cinnamon. The scent of fresh spices reappears in waves, making you think you're in the steam of fragrant Indian rice.
It's the sugar that shows up on the palate. The spices are sweet, highlighted by licorice. This licorice links with orange-scented molasses. Finally, the cinnamon comes back in to say hello before slipping away.
