Bumbu XO

During my last purchase from the Whisky Exchange, I grabbed several rum samples for my wife and me. Tonight, she chose the Bumbu XO. I'm anticipating trying a few other rum samples, like a Rhum HSE aged in Highland Scotch casks, a Plantation 1998 Guyana Ocho finished, and a Diplomatico Batch Kettle. However, I figured the Bumbu would be overly sweet and basic, more her preference than mine. While she did enjoy it more than I did, it surpassed my expectations. My surprise might stem from the "Oak Sherry" cask type listed. I later learned that sherry casks were only a small part of the aging; it was primarily aged in used bourbon barrels, which is evident. I detected almost no sherry on the nose or palate, but strong notes of corn-forward young bourbon – vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch. While I've had bourbon barrel-aged rum before, I've never encountered one that absorbed bourbon characteristics so intensely. Despite the 40% ABV, it's pleasingly rich with balanced alcohol. To be clear, it's quite sweet and lacks complexity, so I wouldn't select it over rums offering more depth. Even with the bourbon notes, I suspect many here would agree. It's a decent drink, though, and I'll buy a bottle for my wife next time I'm at Total Wine. I won't need to hide it behind a bottle of Lagavulin when I pay.

Nose: brown sugar, toasted coconut, and coffee grounds. Palate: artificial vanilla, alcohol, light roasted coffee, coconut flakes, and angostura bitters. Finish: The alcohol finish is too much for me. Just bitter. Overall: Drinking it straight or on the rocks was not my preference. It felt unfocused and heavy on the alcohol, or perhaps too much young whiskey. It lacked the fruit, sweetness, and funk I enjoy in a rum. It seemed like a decent rum base that was then diluted with grain alcohol to stretch it (though I know that's not what happened, the alcohol was very prominent). I detected no sherry notes at all. I was hoping for something akin to a Pappa's Pillar, but was disappointed to find it tasted like decent rum mixed with subpar whiskey. I used it for Piña Coladas but won't buy it again.

A delightful rum for a sophisticated drinker seeking authentic flavor or something unique. I wouldn't recommend the XO for a first taste of Bumbu, but it's a lovely expression of the origin nonetheless. Nose: Butterscotch and fresh tobacco lurking behind a hint of alcohol. Palate: Savory, buttery flavors with roasted nuts, leading to a taste similar to movie theater popcorn. After airing out with an ice cube for a few minutes, notes of cinnamon, dried plantain, artificial vanilla, and a fleeting hint of cola appear before being masked by butter. Finish: The alcohol returns strongly, accompanied by more buttery roasted nuts and tobacco. It also shifts towards a cola flavor with dilution and exposure to air.

Vanilla and molasses notes are likely from the bourbon barrel aging. It's subtle at first, then lingers on the tongue, with the vanilla becoming more prominent, revealing more of the pod. A spice takes time to identify, possibly a blend of Caribbean spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice – take a guess! Many fans of the original told me it wasn't good, but I find this blend satisfying and worth exploring. It's far from the original, but it has more character than a simple sweet banana flavor.

My expectation was to try the next creation from a brand I enjoyed previously. In summary, it's terrible. It lacks sweetness and doesn't resemble the original Bumbu at all. I tried it repeatedly over an hour, adjusting with water, ice, fruit punch, and chilling, desperately hoping for improvement. After some investigation, I've concluded the best way to enjoy Bumbu XO is to stick with Bumbu Original or choose virtually any other option.

Considerably less sweet than most aged rums, with a more bourbon-like appearance. The nose offers dark fruit and hazelnut, complemented by a touch of toffee sweetness on the palate. It drinks more like whiskey than I anticipated, though not unpleasantly so. It's not inexpensive, but the price is fair for an 18-year-old blend. It won't replace Appleton Estate Rare Blend as my top sipping rum, but it's one I definitely plan to try again periodically.