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Mezan XO Jamaican
Jamaica
40%
£30
Single Blended Rum – a blend of only pot still and traditional column still

On the face of it, this ticks lots of my boxes for rum…..Jamaican, no additives, limited/small batch from an artisan producer and aged.

Mezan’s master distiller selects unique rums from around the Caribbean and then ages them in ex-bourbon oak casks before bottling them for sale. The rums are “unsweetened, uncoloured and only lightly filtered” according to Mezan’s own story.

This offering from Mezan is Jamaican Extra Old (XO) and draws reserves from the Monymusk and Hampden distilleries. There is no official age statement, only that the “master blender has carefully selected the age and ester content”. Following their blending the rum is then re-aged “to encourage the marriage of flavours and enhance the structure and subtlety of the rum.” According to Master of Malt, the rums are between “4 and 23 years” old.

5,000 bottles have been produced. I bought mine in M&S for a very reasonable £30.

Under Richard Seale’s/Luca Gargano’s proposed rum categorisation, this would most-likely be classed as a “Single Blended Rum” – a blend of only pot still and traditional column still.

Bottle/Presentation       2/3
There is an outer black and white box with gold embellishments. Contained within is Mezan’s stubby bottle. The label has some basic notes on the front including a batch number and XO ‘seal’.

Its simple presentation represents what is in the bottle…unadulterated, pure rum.

Glass/Aroma     5/10

Very pale, straw-like, free-from artificial, added colouring. The aroma is typically Jamaican…powerful, spicy and hints of dried fruits. It has quite a powerful pungency that almost takes your breath away when inhaled.

Taste, Initial-middle      33/40
First tasting is very smooth and distinct banana flavour. Surprisingly mellow considering the aromas.

Taste, Middle/Throat    35/40
This is where the Jamaican funk kicks in big time!

The mellow smoothness disappears to be replaced by a full on Jamaican beach party in your mouth. There is fire and spice backed up by powerful tobacco that develops into slight sweetness.

Afterburn            5/7
This rum is still partying as I swallow it. The finish lingers long after swallowing and continues to jump about and burn. If anything, it is a bit too overpowering.

Morning After Aroma
There is still some evidence of that Jamaican funk even 12 hours after emptying the glass. Wow!

TOTAL   80

Overall
Great value for money…a Jamaican party in your mouth with every sip and the bottle only costs £30.

A bit on the fiery side, but this is real, genuine and unadulterated rum that packs a real punch.

Find out more about Mezan at their web site.

Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn Out of 7
TOTAL 100