Mezan Jamaica Barrique XO 40%

Wine information: This rum is part of the Mezan range of single cask bottlings. These are all single cask (apart from the Jamaica XO, which is an aged blend) and single vintage bottlings. The idea behind the range is to bring to the consumer the story of the diversity of rum amongst the Caribbean Islands – styles and methods of production, and therefore the rums vary widely. The Mezan rums are also as natural as possible – after the casks have been selected they are not chill-filtered, nor is there any colour, sugar or other flavourings added. The Jamaica XO is a blend of casks from the Hampden and Monymusk stills. Hampden is the high ester distillery located in the North West of the island. Originally owned by a Scotsman - Mr Archibald Sterling circa 1750 - hence its name. Hampden specialises in heavy pot still, very high ester rums and use no commercial yeasts whatsoever in pursuit of this goal. 100% cultures effect the fermentation and the result is very pungent idiosyncratice rum. Monymusk, like Hampden, has Scottish root and is one of the oldest plantations in Jamaica. In the mid-18th century it was owned by Sir Archibald Grant who also owned a slaving station in West Africa which provided labour for his plantation. Traditonally it supplied bulk rum for blending but the quality of high ester rum from here has always been the highest. The Barrique XO was originally blended from rums between 4 and 23 years old and then re-casked for many years prior to bottling.

Very pungent nose with fresh banana and sweet spice. The palate is surprisingly light but that does not detract from the complexity which shows very complex spice, banana again and hints of tobacco. Very long finish.

 
     

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