Mezan Jamaica XO

The Bottle: Quite distinctive for rums. It has a squat, thick-bottomed bottle with a very sophisticated label. It provides a good amount of clear information about the rum, telling you nearly everything necessary. It's visually appealing. In the Glass: Pale straw. On the Nose: Sweet & sour, banana, wood spice, and a slight alcohol sting. It's clearly a Jamaican rum, with that banana/ester characteristic, but it doesn't smell like a cheap cocktail or a pumpkin spice product. It has a very "clean" scent, for lack of a better term. Taste: A semi-sweet start, developing sweetness, and a dry finish. As the flavor unfolds, the prominent banana and spice notes emerge pleasantly. Imagine the scent of a spice merchant's leather apron... it tastes like that. The dryness on the finish isn't really bitter; it simply lacks the sweetness one might anticipate from a sipping rum. Honestly, this drinks much like a whisky. It possesses a clean, subtle complexity that invites another taste. It's a definitive indicator of whether you prefer Jamaican rum over rum from other regions. The "untouched" quality of Mezan truly shines in this offering. It would be excellent in a Mojito, but it's equally suited for sipping from a Glencairn nosing glass. Typically found for under $30, it's one of the better deals in the "golden" rum category. Recommended for whisky drinkers looking to explore new spirits.

This is an incredibly rich and intricate rum. It has notes of butter, banana, wet clay, a slight minerality, and that tobacco scent when you open a fresh pack of Winstons. Before they're smoked, because after they're smoked, it smells like a disgusting truck stop. But before they're smoked, it's rather pleasant. This is a remarkable rum. I paid $25 for it. It might be the best value of any spirit I own.

Slightly sour, with a grassy and fruity aroma. The taste is reminiscent of sweet and sour apples and banana, enhanced by light woody notes. It leaves a fruity and very light peppery sensation, a slight caramel finish with hints of bitterness followed by strong fruity flavors. A good value for the money.

Nose: very fruity, with pear, banana, and an unpleasant hint of burned plastic, plus esters. Palate: fruit, pear, spicy. Finish: fruit, still has some burned plastic but less than the smell.

Pale gold appearance. Aromas of fruit and a potent bouquet. Bursts onto the palate with a banana flavor. It's sharp yet possesses a sweetness that balances it. Outstanding.

An expressive and bold rum. Quite heavy. It has notes of bananas, wax, sugar cane, smoke, and herbs. Is it Jamaican Laphroaig?;)