Compagnie des Indes Rhum Caraïbes Christmas Edition is a blend of rums from Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad. These rums were first aged for 3 to 5 years in ex-Bourbon casks. They were then matured for 4 months in casks containing Deniset-Klainguer fir liqueur.
It's a rum that represents all the gourmandise of the festive season. A touch of fir sap completes the picture.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, this is a relatively light rum, caressed by round, gourmet spices. It opens with ripe, honeyed fruit juices, a hint of fresh almond, then a soft, white woodiness. A breath of freshness arrives with aeration, like a Vosges candy, resinous and minty. It's a natural marriage of molasses licorice and a pinch of cardamom.
The palate is aromatic and fruity, with ripe pineapple and citrus. The Christmas spices are round but fresh, as is the vanilla, as if in a sweetly tart candy. Freshness returns with the woodiness, swirling around the bark in a minty, resinous blast.
The finish is light, delicately caramelized and vanilla, with a hint of tart fruit.
"The little touch of resin brings a real freshness, so the spices also get into the Christmas mood..."
Damien Cheminade
Hard to find the resinous notes on the palate despite the fir sap liqueur cask.
Very light and fragrant rum.
I was expecting something heavier on the palate, but the surprise wasn't unpleasant.