Without being exhaustive, we have tried to be as eclectic as possible in this selection, with rums made from molasses, cane honey, pure juice, French, British, or Spanish traditions, with varying degrees of alcohol content, with or without esters, at affordable or higher prices… Finally, some of these vintages have only spent a few months in ex-sherry casks, while others have been aged entirely in them. In short, there is something for every taste and every budget.
Read also: Style Focus – When rums aged in ex-sherry barrels take center stage
HSE MILLÉSIME 2007 SHERRY FINISH
There are still a few bottles left from the 2007 vintage, finished in ex-sherry casks (fino and oloroso), so grab them while you can because they are truly wonderful. They offer notes of dried fruit, nuts, spices, and rancio. Complex and indulgent.
50CL – 45% – RRP: between €100 and €120
PAPA ROUYO VIRAJ ITINÉRAIRES
Viraj, which means “turn” in Creole, symbolizes the transition to new horizons for the Papa Rouyo distillery in Guadeloupe. This is an agricultural rum from the Papa Rouyo distillery that has been aged entirely (30 months) in ex-sherry casks, a rarity! The notes of fresh cane are magnified here by spices and dried fruit aromas. The turn has been taken successfully and the distillery is heading in the right direction!
70CL – 52.3% – RRP: €115
BRUGAL 1888
This is the flagship product of the Dominican brand and, as cellar master Jassi Villanueva explained to us, it is first aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to European wine barrels, including Pedro Ximénez. This “base” is then reworked in the Maestro Reserva and Visionara ranges. Expect sweet spices (cinnamon, vanilla), nuts, and raisins.
70CL – 40% – RRP: €49
ZACAPA CENTENARIO XO
We are familiar with this flagship cuvée from the Guatemalan brand, but once we learn that around a quarter of the blended rums have been aged in ex-sherry casks at high altitude (2,300 meters), we rediscover it by searching for notes of spice, dried fruit, and even a hint of oxidation on the finish.
70CL – 40% – RRP: €129
DON PAPA SHERRY CASK EDITION
This rum from the Philippines spent several years in American oak barrels that had previously contained bourbon (the brand does not disclose its age statements), then was placed in barrels that had contained four different types of sherry: fino, palo cortado, Pedro Ximénez, and cream, for an 18-month finish.
70CL – 45% – RRP: €79
DIPLOMÁTICO AMBASSADOR
The Venezuelan brand is releasing two vintages aged in ex-sherry casks for the end of the year: the Single Vintage 2008, aged for one year, and the Ambassador, aged for two years. Both are very good, but we have chosen to highlight the Ambassador because its slightly higher alcohol content and longer aging period really bring out the distinctive characteristics of the sherry casks (Pedro Ximénez in this case), which are the focus of this feature. This 12-year-old rum made from cane honey has notes of coffee, vanilla, chocolate, sugar syrup and, of course, spices. A real treat.
70CL – 47% – RRP: €260
HAMPDEN PAGOS EDITION 2024 BATCH 3
When Jamaica meets Spain, the result is Pagos. Several versions of Pagos have already been released. Barrels from the Jerez Lustau and Fundador bodegas were sent to Hampden and filled with rum from the iconic HLCF (Hampden Light Continental Flavored) mark. The version currently on sale has an ester content of 374.1 g/HLAP.
70CL – 52% – RRP: €87
PLANTERAY PXXO
Or how to revisit a classic. Here, it is Planteray’s famous XO that is given a new twist with a third type of aging: in ex-Bourbon barrels in Barbados, then ex-Cognac barrels and ex-Pedro Ximénez barrels in Charente. The XO’s velvety texture and notes of cocoa, vanilla and spices are still there, but powerful aromas of fresh coconut come to the fore. Interesting.
70CL – 40% – RRP: €65
ENGLISH HARBOUR ÉDITION LIMITÉE CASK FINITIONS
Antigua belonged to Spain for a long time, which named the island Santa Maria de la Antigua. Later, the British took it over and renamed it Antigua. The first traces of rum leaving the Caribbean reveal that it was sent back to Spain in sherry barrels brought by the Spanish during their Atlantic crossing. It was therefore only natural that the Antigua and Barbuda brand English Harbor launched a rum that had been finished for three months in ex-oloroso casks. A smooth and welcoming blend, as the brand is known for, with notes of cloves, cinnamon, and pepper, followed by round caramel and molasses syrup.
70CL – 46% – RRP: €42
MOUNT GAY SHERRY CASK EXPRESSION
The cellar master’s collection has provided us with some of the finest rums we have ever tasted. For his sixth expression, Trudiann Branker has blended 20-year-old rums, all aged in Barbados in ex-American whiskey barrels, and opted for an additional year of aging in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. It is round, supple, and full-bodied, with aromas of candied fruit, cherry and plum, spices, and nuts. Our favorite from this selection!
70CL – 45% – RRP: €289
DOS MADERAS LUXUS
Although the Spanish brand recently treated us to an excellent rum from Thailand, we have chosen to highlight its long-standing ultra-premium Luxus. This cuvée is a blend of rums from Guyana and Barbados, aged for 10 long years in a tropical environment. It is then aged for a further five years at Bodega Williams & Humbert in Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain in ex-sherry casks (produced on site!). This delicacy offers notes of caramel, tobacco, dried and red fruits, leather, and more.
70CL – 40% – RRP: €170
RUM NATION 5 ANS JAMAICA POT STILL SHERRY FINISH OLOROSO
This is a distillation of everything Rum Nation does best. This 5-year-old Jamaican rum has been aged for 4 years in bourbon barrels and 12 months in sherry barrels: a combination of Caribbean island funk and southern Spanish sweetness, with an oxidative touch. Very, very good, as they say! And at a relatively reasonable price.
70CL – 50% – RRP: €59
Read also: Style Focus – When rums aged in ex-sherry barrels take center stage