Penny Blue XO Rum is a new addition to the extensive Anchor Distilling portfolio. Imported from Mauritius, this single estate rum is produced at the island’s oldest operational distillery, Medine, which dates back to 1926.
The limited edition XO rum is a vatting comprised of rum that was matured in American oak whiskey casks and French oak Cognac casks for an average of seven years. It’s natural in color, not chill-filtered and it’s bottled right there on the estate. It’s our first encounter with the Medine Distillery, so let’s take this one for a spin.
Penny Blue XO pours a golden straw color in the glass. On the nose, it’s sporting light, fresh aromas of grassy hay, orange and honey. Take a sip and you’ll find some vanilla notes, along with fruit and baking spices like cloves and cinnamon. It’s medium bodied and carries some mild heat, which makes it seem a bit younger than its seven years. It finishes dry and smooth.
Pretty solid stuff, overall. It’s not the most complex rum we’ve tasted, and we prefer our aged rums to be a bit richer all around. But it strikes a nice balance between sweet and dry, with each component coming through clean and clear.
The first batch of Penny Blue yielded 5,946 individually numbered bottles, with just 2,500 of those earmarked for the U.S. So if you’d like one for yourself, act quickly. A bottle will set you back about $80.
Stats:
– 44.1% ABV
– $79.99
CE Rating: ★★★
