CLEMENTE XO rum 750ML

The initial nosing yields virtually no astringency. There is a leather note along with a bit of smoke and tobacco. A grassy sweetness is suggested, as is dried fruit and spices including black pepper, anise and allspice. As the rum enters your palate it is coated with oak as the spices move to mid-palate. There is a bit of cane syrup along with orange marmalade, dried figs, dried apricots and dates here now. In contrast to the sweet imagery, however, the rhum is ultimately very dry. Digging deeper, the smoke and tobacco notes pervade. The finish is dominated by a symphony of licorice/anise/fennel notes.