Bumbu XO

The last time I placed an order at the Whisky Exchange, I added a bunch of rum samples for my wife and me to try.  She decided to pull out the Bumbu XO tonight.   There are several rum samples that I'm really looking forward to - a Rhum HSE finished in Highland Scotch casks, a Plantation 1998 Guyana Ocho finished, and a Diplomatico Batch Kettle.  But I expected the Bumbu to be sweet and simple - much more her thing than mine.    While it's fair to say that she liked it more than I did, it exceeded my expectations. Perhaps my surprise was due in part to the "Cask Type" description of "Oak Sherry".  I later discovered that the sherry cask was only part of the aging story - most of the aging was done in used bourbon barrels, and it really shows.  I picked up virtually no trace of the sherry on the nose or palate, but big notes of corn-heavy younger bourbon - vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch.   This is not the first bourbon barrel-aged rum I've had, but I'm certain I've never had one that has taken on bourbon characteristics to this degree. And despite the 40% ABV, it's acceptably rich and the alcohol is in balance.   Now for some perspective, lest I sound overly laudatory.  The XO is very sweet and not particularly complex, and would not be something I'd choose over the many rums that offer more depth and complexity.  Notwithstanding the bourbon notes, I'm sure that most of my whiskey compadres here on Distiller would agree.  But it's a respectable dram, and I'll pick up a bottle for my wife the next time I hit Total Wine.  When I do, I won't feel a need to shield it with a bottle of Lagavulin as I walk to the register.  

Nose- brown sugar, toasted coconut, and coffee grounds. Palate- imitation vanilla, ethanol, light roasted coffee, coconut flakes, and angostura bitters. Finish- too much of an ethanol finish for me. Just bitter. Overall- drinking neat or on rocks this was not my cup of tea. Felt disjointed and heavy on the ethanol or too much young whiskey. Too light on the fruits, sugars, and funkiness I like in a rum. To me it seemed like a decent start to a rum, then somebody went ahead and added grain alcohol to it in order to make it stretch (I know that is not the case,but the ethanol really stood out). I got absolutely none of the sherry notes. I was hoping for something like a Pappa's Pillar here, but was dismayed to find that it just tasted like ok rum meets not ok whiskey. I made Pina Colodas out of it, but won't be returning for another bottle.

This is a lovely rum for a discerning enthusiast looking for terroir expression or just something unique. I wouldn't suggest the XO if someone wanted to try Bumbu for the first time, but a lovely expression of terroir, nonetheless. Nose; Butterscotch and fresh tobbaco behind a bit of ethanol. Palate; Savory, buttery notes accompanied with roasted nuts leading to a note almost reminiscent of movie theater popcorn. After opening up over an ice cube for a few minutes, cinnamon and dried plantain along with imitation vanilla and almost a fleeting cola note can be found before being lost behind butter. Finish; Ethanol returns with a vengeance but along with more buttery roasted nuts and tobacco. Again transitioning into more of a cola flavor at some point with dilution and opening up to the air.

Il y a de la vanille et de la mélasse probablement du au bariquement en fût de bourbon. C'est d'abord subtile après avoir été un peu tenue sur la langue. Là, la vanille s'impose pour révéler encore plus la gousse. Il y a une épice qui prend du temps à identifier. Il existe un pot-pourri d'épices des Caraïbes comme la muscade, la cannelle, le gingembre et le piment de la Jamaïque alors prenez un guess :p Les amateurs du original m'ont pratiquement tous dit que il était pas bon mais moi je trouve ce mélange satisfaisant et mérite l’effort d’être exploré. On est loin de l'original mais c'est moins un goût de banane dans le sucre mettons, c'est plus caractériel.

"I liked the original Bumbu so I can't wait to try whatever they make next" In short, it's horrible. It doesn't even taste sweet, let alone something from Bumbu. Tried it many times over the span of an hour, added drops of water, some ice, fruit punch, chilled and just eventually begged it to taste better. After some research, I've determined the best way to enjoy Bumbu XO is to just stick to Bumbu Original or literally anything else

Not nearly as sweet as most aged rums, and more bourbon-like in appearance. Dark fruit and hazelnut, on the nose; with a little toffee sweetness on the palate. Really more whiskey-like than I expected, but not unpleasantly so. Not cheap, but reasonable for an 18 year old blend. Won’t surpass Appleton Estate Rare Blend as my favorite sipping rum, but one I definitely intend to revisit once in a while.