This Rum & Cane French Overseas XO is a blend of pure cane juice rum from Réunion ( Rivière du Mât distillery) and traditional molasses rum from Martinique (Le Galion). This rum has been aged in American and French oak barrels for at least 6 years.
Nico's tasting notes
In brief: solvent - medicinal - camphor - cane - marzipan - candied fruit - pastry - great aroma
The nose is powerful and original, with a ruffling and very medicinal breath. The alcohol is present but doesn't sting, and is handled in an interesting way. Rather than offering simple ethereal vapors, it leans towards camphor, sometimes solvent, or even towards an advanced fermentation of fruit. Almost acidic at times, it can approach fresh rubber at others, which is quite surprising but not unpleasant.
With aeration, the rum becomes more coated, transforming its solvent into fruit, and even cane. Then it becomes increasingly gourmand, with almond paste and notes that are still medicinal but vegetal, approaching resin. The big fruit fermentation is confirmed, and we're heading for a big aroma with olive accents.
On the palate, the grand aroma is at its most gourmand and pastry-like, with candied fruit and marzipan, as well as a hint of licorice and even olive. Blending this grand aroma with an agricultural rum smoothes out the edges, giving the blend a truly gourmet edge, in the manner of Guadeloupean rums.
On the finish, candied fruit fills and thickens the palate, always with great delicacy.
"After a surprising and unexpected nose, the rum offers a good dose of pastry indulgence..."
