Review #: 289
Description: XXX/Five
Spirit: Rum
Background: XXX/Five is (you guessed it) the fifth in the line of single casks rums that were selected by Aficionados Group and FineDrams. “Distilled at a distillery in Saint Catherine Jamaica” (Worrthy Park) from molasses in a pot still, it was aged for 2 years before bottling. Clocking in at 67.7 g/hLAA of esters and 529.8 g/hLAA of total volatile substances, it has the making of a solid, lightly aged, lightly funked Jamaican Overproof rum. It also is less than $40 per bottle. So let’s taste it. As with all XXX releases, no additives, no filtration, no nothing. As of posting, this is still available for sale at FineDrams
Distillery – Worthy Park
Bottler – FineDrams
Brand – XXX
Selection – Aficionados
ABV – 65%
Age – 2 Years
Nose – The funk is there but dark: old banana peel, almost a fudgy dark chocolate, motor oil, industrial plastic, there is a hint (but pronounced) smell of oak with caramel and vanilla, some lime and salt come in with some decent air time.uicy orange, a little grassy, coffee grounds, tart fruit, cheese danish
Taste – Pancakes and syrup, juicy fruit gum, caramel, green tobacco, grilled pineapple, brownies, some salt
Finish – Fruit really starts to pop: fresh pineapple, mango, guava, juicy fruit, plasticky funk, cigar tobacco, a bright sugary sweetness lingers with a bit of heat
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? Yes, and a backup
Thoughts: This is just some really solid rum. It’s not a funk bomb, but enough there to keep it interesting and distinctly Jamaican. 2 years really provides a well balanced influence on the distillate. It’s a tiny bit more expensive than the unaged, overproof Jamaican rums on the market, but the light aging adds a distinct depth to it. While it’s killer in cocktails, it more than holds its own when sipping and really shows its true value.