A.H. Riise X.O. Explorer - 40%

When excellent taste meets the cosy atmosphere of winter, the result is a spirit that is far more than just a drink. The Old Man Rum Project Christmas captures the essence of festive evenings and invites you to pause and experience the aromatic variety of the cold season in liquid form.

Not every white rum bears the signature of its origin as authentically as this Hampden. If you enjoy Jamaican spirits mindfully, you will find a convincing companion here for special moments when clarity and character are equally called for.

This rum comes from the island of Cuba; it is not known exactly which distillery it comes from.

This rum comes from the island of Cuba; it is not known exactly which distillery it comes from.

The Savanna Distillery, whose roots date back to 1870, uses a unique method for this “Rhum Traditionnel”: a blend of sugarcane juice and molasses, distilled in the distillery’s own Savanna column. The single cask spent its entire six-year aging period under tropical conditions in the humid cellar, known as the Chai Humide. The interaction with the ex-cognac barrel is intensified by the warm climate, giving the distillate a depth that would only be achieved after decades in continental climates. This rum pours into the glass with a rich honey hue, revealing a complex bouquet of ripe yellow fruits, candied citrus notes, and a delicate vanilla sweetness underscored by cedarwood. On the palate, the powerful presence of 64% ABV is evident, yet it is masterfully integrated into flavors of ripe orange, dark caramel, and distinctive toasted notes. A subtle hint of nutmeg and dry, woody nuances lead into a long-lasting finish characterized by delicate tannins.

The origins of this rum lie in the historic La Plaine St. André on Mahé, where the Trois Frères Distillery produces the only rum in the Seychelles. It is made from pot still and column still distillates derived from molasses. The rum is aged in a combination of French oak and ex-Bourbon barrels before the distillate is blended with eight-year-old Bajan rum from the renowned Foursquare Distillery. A final 60-day finish in very old ex-cane rum casks rounds out the blend with structure and depth. In the glass, the rum displays a rich, rust-brown amber hue that already hints at its aromatic depth. The nose reveals notes of brown sugar and toasted oak. On the palate, a silky texture unfolds, characterized by roasted coffee, cocoa, a hint of salt, and a subtle oakiness, culminating in a long-lasting, warming finish.

Sandy beaches, coral reefs, giant tortoises: The Seychelles archipelago consists of over 100 islands—so secluded that it remained virtually unknown for centuries. With Takamaka, the Trois Frères distillery offers a delightful glimpse into this remote paradise. The Seychelles’ first premium rum has been produced since 2002 at the distillery founded by Richard and Bernard d’Offay on the main island of Mahé, just 60 meters from the beach. For Takamaka Rum, the brothers use both fresh juice from Seychelles sugarcane and molasses. The ingredients are distilled in pot and column stills. Whether refined with its own mountain spring water, flavored using an innovative process involving small pieces of wood, enhanced with regional spices, or bottled from a single cask: Takamaka offers a variety of flavors for both rum enthusiasts and those just discovering the spirit.

The basis for this distinctive spirit is high-quality molasses, which lays the foundation for its full-bodied profile. The rum is aged in select bourbon barrels, and the tropical climate of the Seychelles plays a crucial role in this process: The high temperatures noticeably accelerate the exchange between the distillate and the wood. The result is a rum that, in a relatively short time, has deeply absorbed the spicy and sweet notes of the oak. In its clear bottle, Takamaka Rum Zenn shimmers with a warm amber hue. The bouquet reveals a delicate balance of gentle oak spice, creamy vanilla pudding, and a lively note reminiscent of homemade lemonade, rounded out by hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, it is mild and pleasing, with flavors of cinnamon rolls, anise cookies, and juicy orange, leading to a long-lasting finish of vanilla cream and soft wood.

The 18 years old Malecon is the fruitiest os the standard range.

Albert Heinrich Riise was a Danish pharmacist and botanist. He lived from 1810 to 1882. He was introduced to rum in the West Indies, where he worked as a pharmacist. He exported to several continents and was also very successful in his home country. Today, the brand is marketed by Dansk-Vestindisk Rom Kompagni. The name Old St. Croix is a tribute to the fertile island of the same name.

The Foursquare Distillery is located in Barbados and has been in operation since 1820. The distillery has been family-run for five generations and produces molasses rum, which is usually aged in American oak casks.

The Foursquare Epilogoe is the 31st release in the Exceptional Cas Selection. The rum was matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 19 years of age. Both pot stills and column stills were used for distillation.