Doorly's XO Rum

Score: 90/100 This particular rum is an exceptional offering from a distillery in Barbados, recognized for its skilled production and tradition of creating fine spirits. Matured in both former bourbon and sherry casks, this rum presents a refined combination of rich tastes that balance sweetness with intricacy. It serves as a superb illustration of a well-rounded, aged rum, ideal for savoring straight or for use in high-end mixed drinks. Appearance: In the glass, this rum displays a deep golden amber hue, suggesting its time spent aging in wooden barrels. The slow, rich streaks indicate a smooth, full-bodied sensation. Nose: The aroma is welcoming, with initial scents of dried fruit, specifically figs and raisins, mingled with warm vanilla and caramel. As the scent develops, subtle hints of toasted wood, spice, and a faint trace of tropical fruit appear, reflecting the impact of the sherry casks. The complexity in the aroma suggests the detailed profile to come. Palate: On the palate, this rum offers a beautifully balanced experience. The initial taste brings a wave of rich caramel, vanilla, and honey, followed by notes of dried fruits—like raisins, dates, and figs. In the middle of the palate, the spice begins to emerge, with flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of black pepper. The sherry cask's influence is apparent in the underlying warmth and depth, adding a slight nuttiness and a delicate woodiness that enhances the sweetness without overpowering it. The texture is smooth and creamy, making each sip very gratifying. Finish: The finish is long and warming, leaving notes of wood, dark chocolate, and a light, persistent spice. There is a subtle dryness at the end, likely from the sherry's influence, which provides a fitting contrast to the initial sweetness, making the finish both intricate and clean. Overall: This is a masterfully produced rum that achieves an excellent equilibrium between sweet, fruity richness and complexity derived from oak aging. The impact of the sherry and bourbon casks is evident but does not dominate; instead, it enhances the spirit's natural character, leading to a well-rounded and highly pleasurable sipping experience. The degree of complexity and smoothness makes it stand out within its price category. Best enjoyed: Straight, or with a single ice cube to slightly soften the profile and reveal the deeper flavors. Conclusion: With a total score of 90/100, this rum provides outstanding value for its caliber. It appeals to both novice and experienced rum enthusiasts, offering a rich, balanced experience that is as enjoyable on its own as it is in a thoughtfully prepared mixed drink.

The aroma is quite rich, showing some pleasant toasted and slightly charred wood notes. It's not exceptionally complex or intense on the nose, with a hint of citrus. The taste is very woody with considerable smoke, accompanied by caramel and sawdust, reminiscent of a particular brand. It drinks well, though it's not outstanding. It's rich and satisfying, but the caramel flavor is somewhat subdued and the complexity is a bit lacking. It offers a fairly woody profile with a nice sweetness. There's a definite similarity to that brand, being very rich and quite smooth. It's enjoyable and easy to drink, but not exceptional. It merits a score of 14, falling just short of a 15. However, that note of pencil shavings, similar to the aforementioned brand, could be interpreted as a sign of youth and thus a flaw, bringing the score down closer to a 10 (perhaps an 11-12).

Neat. Beautiful deep copper color. The nose is tropical with molasses, ripe banana, coconut, sherry, dried fruits, and some citrus. The taste is deep caramel sweet, with some musty oak, sherry, dried fruits, and a hint of barrel spice like pepper; cinnamon/nutmeg. The finish is fairly dry and soft with a little oak and fruit. Easy to drink, a pretty and tropical profile with a bit of spice and oak to maintain balance. The flavors are very good, but on the lighter side. It offers more than its price suggests. Decent as a light sipper, but I can see this performing well in some simple mixed drinks.

After sampling the Doorly’s 12, I had to explore the rest of the range. For $17, this is an incredible bargain. It shares early tasting notes with the 12, but with a slightly sharper character. This isn't to say it's harsh, just less polished than the 12. Next on my purchase list are the R.L. Seale 10 and Doorly 8, both very reasonably priced.

A rich rum from Barbados, crafted from a blend of rums aged at least six years in former whiskey barrels, then finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. It possesses a rich origin with hints of nuts, spice, and a touch of smoke; a balanced middle adds notes of caramel, dark fruit, and wood, leading to a brief, delicate, and dry conclusion. Month and year recorded.

In my opinion, it's more engaging than the very good 8 year old, especially for sipping. This is likely due to the secondary maturation in sherry casks, resulting in a lighter, fruitier profile. Similar to the 8 and 12 year old Doorly's, it offers exceptional value considering the high quality and price.