Afrohead XO Rum

I'm surprised by the low ratings for this outstanding rum. This rum is GOOD. It doesn't have the intense molasses flavor of many rums...though it's present. This rum is actually very well-balanced, with all the "traditional" rum characteristics appearing sequentially in a delightful harmony of taste. It lacks the "funk" of some other aged rums...like Bacardi 8. The oak is smooth and well-rounded, with just a hint of char. This is coming from someone who prefers bourbon (Knob Creek 120p) and peated scotch (Laphroaig). Give this one a try. I think the review from a certain publication is quite accurate as well. Excuse me while I return to my glass...

A bold, Dark Rum from Joe Farrell, proprietor of the Harbour Island Rum Company in the Dominican Republic, aged for 15 years in former bourbon barrels. It presents a complex beginning with notes of caramel, mango, tobacco, spice, and leather. Its lively character adds notes of sweet banana and rich toffee, culminating in a very lengthy finish with hints of lime, ginger, spiced toffee, and espresso. January / March / December 2019 / September 2020

Drinking it straight or as a shot, a very potent molasses taste emerges. It's smoky and spicy, and I didn't care for it. When mixed with soda, the spice fades, leaving a pleasant smoky sweetness. It works well as a mixer if it's the only rum available.

This rum offers numerous flavors, with a pleasant smell of char and vanilla on the nose, and a taste that is a captivating blend of brown sugar, oak, and maple. It has a slightly too acidic finish to everything, but otherwise, it's an exceptionally complex and interesting rum.

The aroma is molasses, which is obvious, but it's all I detect. Perhaps a hint of pepper. The taste is thick caramel, with ripe banana and a touch of leather appearing near the end. Quite sweet. The sweetness persists for some time.

Perhaps my top rum I've sampled that isn't overloaded with vanilla. Very smooth taste with a good amount of barrel wood present.