Santos Dumont XO Elixir is a rum made from molasses distilled in the West Indies and Central America, and pure cane juice (cachaça) from Brazil.
The rums are aged in ex-bourbon, sherry and port casks. Each barrel is carefully selected by the master distiller to create small blends according to an ancient Santos Dumont family recipe. Bottling is done by hand, and each bottle is numbered.
This 2000-bottle cuvée pays tribute to the famous aviator Alberto Santos Dumont, the Franco-Brazilian aviation pioneer (1873-1932).
Nico's tasting notes
The nose is like a cake dough full of almond powder, nutmeg, vanilla, butter and rum. One imagines a little grain made of sliced nuts, and a very sweet side, lined with candied citrus peel.
Aeration gives the spices a little more strength, but they remain well measured. They meld with the tender flesh of the oak, which itself takes on an air of almond powder.
The palate is extremely round, even licorious. Cake batter becomes syrup, citrus peel joins a thick grenadine with melted spices. Vanilla and almonds return on the mid-palate, accompanied by hazelnut butter.
The finish, too, is very sweet, and the sweet spices have a field day.
"A very gourmand and sweet Elixir, to be enjoyed with a nice ice cube..."
David Zaiter
Excellent rum, slightly sweet, a pleasure for the taste buds.