Doorly's XO Rum

Score: 90/100 Doorly's XO Rum is a standout expression from the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, known for its expert craftsmanship and tradition of producing high-quality rums. Aged in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, this rum brings a sophisticated blend of rich flavors that balance sweetness with complexity. It is a fantastic example of a well-rounded, mature rum, perfect for sipping neat or using in premium cocktails. Appearance: In the glass, Doorly’s XO reveals a deep golden amber color, hinting at its time spent aging in oak barrels. The legs are slow and rich, suggesting a luscious, full-bodied experience. Nose: The nose is inviting, with initial aromas of dried fruit, particularly figs and raisins, mixed with warm vanilla and caramel. As the aroma opens up, subtle hints of toasted oak, spice, and a faint whiff of tropical fruit emerge, showcasing the influence of the sherry casks. The complexity on the nose hints at the layered profile to come. Palate: On the palate, Doorly's XO delivers a beautifully balanced experience. The first sip brings a wave of rich caramel, vanilla, and honey, followed by bursts of dried fruits—think raisins, dates, and figs. Mid-palate, the spice begins to shine, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of black pepper. The sherry cask influence is evident in the underlying warmth and depth, adding a slight nuttiness and a delicate oakiness that enhances the sweetness without overpowering it. The texture is smooth and creamy, making each sip incredibly satisfying. Finish: The finish is long and warming, leaving traces of oak, dark chocolate, and a light, lingering spice. There is a subtle dryness at the end, likely from the sherry influence, that provides a balanced contrast to the initial sweetness, making the finish both complex and clean. Overall: Doorly's XO is a masterfully crafted rum that strikes an excellent balance between sweet, fruity richness and oak-aged complexity. The influence of the sherry and bourbon casks is evident, but it doesn’t dominate; rather, it complements the natural character of the rum, resulting in a well-rounded and highly enjoyable sipping experience. The level of complexity and smoothness makes it stand out in its price range. Best enjoyed: Neat, or with a single ice cube to slightly mellow the profile and open up the deeper flavors. Conclusion: With an overall score of 90/100, Doorly's XO offers exceptional value for its quality. This is a rum that appeals to both newcomers and seasoned rum aficionados alike, delivering a rich, balanced experience that is as enjoyable on its own as it is in a carefully crafted cocktail.

This smells decently rich with some nice wood that is toasted a bit and charred a bit. It's not super complex on the nose or super strong. There's a tad of citrus smell too. The palate is super woody with quite a bit of smoke. There's some caramel and sawdust that remind me a bit of Garrison Brothers. It tastes solid, but not exceptional. It's rich and tasty, though the caramel is a bit light and the complexity is a tad lacking. It tastes fairly woody with some nice sweetness. Definitely a Garrison Brothers similarity it super rich and quite smooth. It's tasty and an easy sipper, but it's nothing exceptional. It gets a 14 but doesn't quite seem to be a 15. Though that Garrison Brothers pencil shavings flavor could definitely just be interpreted as a taste of youth and therefore a flaw, knocking this down closer to a 10 (maybe an 11-12).

Neat. Beautiful deep copper color. Nose is tropical with molasses, ripe banana, coconut, sherry, dried fruits, some citrus. Taste is deep caramel sweet, some musty oak, sherry, dried fruits, a hint of barrel spice..pepper;cinnamon/nutmeg. Finish is fairly dry and soft with a little oak and fruit Easy to drink, pretty and tropical profile with a bit of spice and oak to keep it balanced. Flavors are very good, but on the light side. Punches above its price point. Decent as a light sipper, but I can see this shining in some simple mixed drinks

After having tasted the Doorly’s 12 I had to try the rest If the lineup. For $17 this is an absolute steal of a bottle. Early the same tasting notes as the 12 but just a smidge of a “harsher” edge. Don’t take that as it being harsh but only that it’s not as well rounded as the 12. Next up on the list to purchase is the R.L. Seale 10 and Doorly 8 which are both very reasonably priced.

A rich, rum from Barbados made from a blend of rums aged for at least six years in used whiskey barrels & the finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. It has a rich birth with notes of nuts, spice & a hint of smoke; while a balanced life adds notes of caramel, dark fruit & wood; that led to a short, delicate & dry death. MArch 2019

To my palate, a bit more interesting than the very solid 8 year, at least for sipping, ….probably because of the second maturation in the sherry casks. Lighter and fruitier. Like the 8 and 12 year old Doorly’s, a tremendous value given the high quality of the liquid and price points.