Ron Zacapa XO Rum (75cl, 40%)

A Guatemalan solera-aged rum bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Ron Zacapa begins with virgin sugar cane honey rather than molasses, fermented with a proprietary yeast strain derived from pineapples. It is aged through a solera system above 7,000 feet, blending rums aged between 6 and 25-plus years through barrels that previously held bourbon, sherry and fine wines. The XO expression receives a final finishing period in French oak casks. The nose opens with rich molasses, caramelised brown sugar, fig, raisin and toasted oak, with marzipan and orange peel. The palate is plush with dark chocolate and vanilla bean, dried figs, dates, baking spices, citrus peel, roasted nuts, cocoa powder and walnut. The finish is long and smooth, with honey, clove, cinnamon, fruit leather, dark cherry and sweet oak spices.