El Pasador de Oro XO Gran Reserva is a rum from several Guatemalan distilleries.
An initial long ageing period of 10 to 18 years (compared with 6 to 15 years for the XO version) in several types of cask takes place on site. The casks are then imported into the Charente region, in the cellars of the French company Les Bienheureux. The rum then stays in cognac casks for a further 6 months. It is then bottled in this beautiful decanter.
El Pasador de Oro Gran Reserva is more powerful, less sweet, than its younger version, El Pasador de Oro XO.
Nico's tasting notes
There's no need for patience here: the nose immediately offers a good range of aromas. Lots of vanilla to start, followed by fruity nuances of banana and pineapple. Red fruits are also present, in the form of a sweet strawberry. The fact that this is a cane honey rum (cooked cane juice) preserves the aromas of sugar cane and its herbal attributes of grass and moss. Resting doesn't spoil the brightness of the rum, and brings out the woodiness with more caramel, toast and nuts.
Aeration brings a well-burnt, very bourbon woodiness to the fore. Underneath, the rum almost has an agricultural soul with its citrus, cane and spices. The woodiness has now taken hold for good, and is accompanied by caramel and coffee.
The palate is quite sweet, with a good pinch of black pepper and cinnamon. The caramelized walnut settles on the tongue, with the overall impression of a rather sweet and fatty rum. The caramel and milk chocolate spread widely over the taste buds.
The end of the tasting session continues with the consistency of chocolate and vanilla toffee.
"This Gran Reserva, without departing from the XO, offers both a more frankly woody profile and a softer mouthfeel..."
