Dillon XO Rhum Vieux 12 Ans

Dillon's XO Rhum Vieux is a twelve-year Martinique rhum agricole, distilled from fresh cane juice and protected by the island's AOC, the world's only rum appellation. Aged in ex-bourbon wood and bottled at 45% with no added sugar, it carries the AOC's XO designation, requiring at least six years in oak, and offers a gentler, fruitier reading of the style than its more austere peers.

Distilled low on a creole column to preserve cane character, it shows vanilla, fruit and citrus on the nose, turning woody, vegetal and spiced on the palate, with a dry, floral, spicy finish. The grassy agricole base is rounded by overripe banana, cocoa, coffee, vanilla and floral sugarcane, making it lighter and easier than something like Clement 10 while staying honest and dry. Widely praised for its value, it sips well neat and suits anyone stepping into aged agricole who wants fruit and approachability, though drinkers sensitive to perfumed, floral notes should know they sit forward here.