Licorera Cihuatán Cihuatán XAMAN XO 2004

Cihuatán XAMAN XO is a 2004 vintage from Licorera Cihuatán in El Salvador, a molasses rum distilled on a column still for a clean, light base in the smooth Latin tradition. Most of its life was spent in American oak ex-bourbon casks, with a final year in casks of Mayan Ceiba, a native tree that gives the bottling its distinctive local twist.

The profile is fruity and rounded: banana, pineapple and clove on the nose, vanilla, toffee and pineapple on a soft palate, and a mild finish of candied fruit, dark chocolate and warmth. It drinks smooth and sweet-leaning rather than dry, with the Ceiba-wood finish adding a faint smoky, spiced character on top of the easy fruit. At a gentle 40% it is a relaxed after-dinner sipper for drinkers who enjoy Zacapa-style smoothness but want a touch more fruit and subtle wood spice, taken neat or over ice.