Famille Ricci - Dynasty - L'Origine is the emblematic cuvée of the French breeder/blender/bottler. Here, Morgan Ricci pays tribute to his father, whose portrait benevolently watches over the bottle. It's a grand blend of different raw materials, origins and aging. All the variety of the rum world is represented.
Four origins have been brought together, from South America, Asia, Oceania and the Caribbean. They include rums made from molasses and pure cane juice, distilled both in columns and stills. These rums are first aged between 3 and 7 years in their country of origin.
The Ricci family's work then consists of complex ageing. They use a variety of casks, which may vary in wood type, toast and origin. They may use new barrels, but also, as in this case, barrels that have contained bourbon, cognac or pineau blanc.
After a fine blending based on numerous tastings, the rum is bottled with a light dosage of 13 grams of sugar per liter to round out the overall effect.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose opens with a balanced, yet full-bodied rum that doesn't take the easy way out. Several levels of complexity are already apparent, starting with a rather funky, exotic fruitiness. This is followed by a more brioche-like side, enhanced by a hint of encaustic, which confirms the expected complexity.
Aeration brings us a little closer to the barrel, represented by mellow, gently spicy oak. Vanilla, blanched almonds and blond caramel form a lovely nougat, which quickly becomes coated with oily, coppery notes.
On the palate, the ripe banana immediately takes us to exotic, tropical climes. Its round texture joins that of a kind of malted cereal, which naturally evokes a slightly coppery whisky. The midpalate is filled with dried fruit and mild spices, and continues to offer a comfortable, brioche-like sensation.
On the finish, the molasses gives us its last notes of licorice, which stretch out and end up reminiscent of cooked cane juice.
"A very varied, complex and gourmet blend, where the levels are tastefully regulated..."
frederic Larsen
A pleasant surprise on first tasting.