At Río Hondo in north-eastern Guatemala the heat stands still between the warehouse buildings. The casks work fast here, because the tropical climate has no patience. The rest of the story takes place in a cool Italian warehouse, where the pace slows almost to a standstill.
Expert description
Rum Nation Guatemala XO 20th Anniversary Limited Release is a Guatemalan Rum aged in ex-bourbon casks of American white oak, further matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and bottled at 40%.
The bottle is Rum Nation's anniversary release, made to mark the house's first 20 years. Rum Nation was founded in Italy in 1999 by Fabio Rossi and does not distil itself. The house buys, selects and matures. For this release the choice fell on some of the sweetest casks from Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala.
The raw material is cane molasses, and the distillate comes from column stills. That gives the clean, elegant style known from Guatemalan rum. Maturation happens in two stages. First at least four years in ex-bourbon casks at Río Hondo, around 185 metres above sea level, where the heat pulls colour and spice out of the oak at a pace no European cellar can match. Then 16 months in used Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks in a cool Italian warehouse. It is the second round that lays raisin, date and a wine-like sweetness on top of the base structure.
The rum is bottled in a decanter with a gold-coloured stopper and delivered in a gift box. The series is a Limited Release.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Honey and molasses first, then ripe dates and raisins. Behind that lies vanilla and dark chocolate, with a touch of toasted nuts.
Palate
Full-bodied and almost creamy. Honey, raisin, date and prune, vanilla throughout, and a candied orange note that keeps the sweetness from turning flat.
Finish
Long and soft. Sherry, aniseed and liquorice, with the chocolate sitting underneath.
Specifications
Name: Rum Nation Guatemala XO 20th Anniversary Limited Release Rum
Distillery: Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala
Bottler: Rum Nation
Region/Country: Guatemala
Type: Guatemalan Rum
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks of American white oak, further matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks
Distillation method: Column distilled
Edition: 20th Anniversary Limited Release
EAN no.: 5740030100039
Serving suggestion: Neat at room temperature in a tulip-shaped glass
Flavour Profile
Sweet · Sherry-matured · Fruity · Nutty · Spiced
Did You Know?
Rum Nation is Italian by birth but Danish by ownership. Mac Y bought the brand in 2018, and it is now run as Rum Nation International A/S. Fabio Rossi, who started it all in 1999, is still on board as a consultant.
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