Benefiting from the age-old tradition of the D'Aguiar family, historical owners of the Guyana Banks DIH company, XM 10 ans Royal Demerara is a rum that demonstrates the expertise of the distillery's master rum maker.
This rum from Demerara spent 9 years in American oak barrels before being aged in sherry casks. The result is a complex rum, perfect for tasting.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose is typical of molasses rums, with nuts and a hint of licorice. These notes are enhanced by attacks of gunpowder and very toasty, even burnt incursions, reminiscent of the full-bodied rums of the former British colonies. Above all, however, the rum remains rather sweet, with a mature woodiness. There's a light, slightly sweet core, but the fuller-bodied notes return regularly to shake up the nose, adding interest and balance. The caramel and vanilla are there to consolidate the base and give us bearings.
Opening and aeration won't alter this balance between calm and ardor, honey and powder.
The attack on the palate is meltingly caramel-like, even creamy like milk chocolate. The heart of the tasting is particularly savory, revealing an unsuspected richness of wood, black tea, yeast and tobacco. These notes fade and give way to a slice of toast, before molasses and licorice take us to the finish.
Logically, this finish continues on molasses and caramel, is fairly straightforward and ends smoothly.
"A very rounded approach to traditional English rums, for those wishing to begin a smooth transition from Latin rums..."
