Mezan Belize 2008 13 ans is a molasses rum from the Travellers Liquors distillery in Belmopan, the capital of Belize. Sugar cane is crushed locally and fermented with wild yeast. Distillation takes place in a triple-column still.
The rum is aged for 3 years on site in Bourbon casks in the tropical climate, then for a further 10 years in Europe in ex-Bourbon casks that have previously held other Caribbean rums.
Like all Mezan rums, bottling is carried out without adding sugar, coloring or cold filtration.
Nico's tasting note from the previous 10 year old edition
At first, the nose plays cat-and-mouse with our senses. It wanders between the solvent, which reveals brief hints of white wood, and a damp, slightly muffled woodiness. A little aeration is needed for the aromatic profile to take shape. The wood then appears more clearly, but in a dark, relatively severe form. However, we're not unpleasantly surprised, for the concentration is there, accompanied by a nutty oiliness that will soon open the whole into something much warmer.
With a little air and time, the rum reveals itself to be rather round and sweet, with a concentrated soy sauce-like woodiness. The oiliness of the nuts contributes to this sensation of thickness, then the solvent returns to reveal a lovely, elegant, deep woodiness. Cinnamon and cocoa are underscored by heady floral notes.
The palate is full, ample and open to fruit. The mid-palate refocuses on a woodiness fairly typical of English style and bourbon casks (toffee, vanilla, coconut, tobacco), with a fairly dark character that gives it extra class. Caramel, roast and molasses notes follow.
The finish continues with notes of caramelization, and the rum concentrates into a plum and banana jam enhanced by vanilla and sweet almond.
"The concentration of this rum requires a little aeration. Your patience will be rewarded by an elegant woodiness and a very greedy finish..."
