Penny Blue XO Single Estate Rum is an award winning small batch rum from Mauritius. Penny Blue is a true Mauritian Rum, distilled from the locally produced molasses from sugar cane grown at the distillery. Mauritius is a small African country located on an island in the Indian Ocean and is a veritable tropical paradise which is well known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. Every batch has its own personality and is also matured on the estate where it's created; because of this it's considered to be rare as their is only a finite number of each batch. Despite this uniqueness, a certain continuity of style does exist that retains the smooth, rich and fruity complexity that ties this rum to its place of origins. Connoisseurs absolutely love the Penny Blue XO but the wider global drinks industry also recognise that this is a top notch rum and have showered it with accolades. The most recent of which are a Gold in the Spirits Business 2014 and 2015 competition, an 'Outstanding' result with 5 stars in the Difford's Guide and yet another Gold medal in the World Rum Awards 2015.
Who Makes It?
Penny Blue XO Single Estate Rum is produced by the Indian Ocean Rum Company which is a collaboration between the esteemed Berry Bros & Rudd and the Medine Distillery on the island. The Medine Distillery can be found in the west of Mauritius tucked between the mountains and the sea. They have been making rum since 1926 and are the oldest working distillery on the island. The distillery itself sits at the centre of a large sugar estate from which the crop is harvested to produce molasses for the rum; Penny Blue is distilled here but is also bottled here and finished with a distinctive blue wax seal. Berry Bros. & Rudd is possibly the oldest wine and spirit merchant in London with the company opening its doors on St. James Street in 1698; they even still trade from exactly the same location today!
The Story
The rum takes its name from an iconic Mauritian symbol, the famous Penny Blue stamp. In 1847 Sir William Gomm was made Governor of Mauritius and his first duty was to improve the postal service on the island by enabling the production of locally made stamps. He employed a local engraver to create 500 one penny and 500 two pence. As circumstances would have it, Lady Gomm was hosting a glamorous ball and declared her intention of using the new stamps to send out invitations. The engraver, who was named Barnard, was so privileged in his task that got to work immediately but, in his rush, forgot the wording that was supposed to be used on the left side of the stamp. He went to visit the postmaster but, before speaking to them, read 'Post Office' on the front of the store. Thinking these to be the correct words he rushed off and finished engraving the plate. The stamp should have read 'Post Paid' but the mistake wasn't spotted until Lady Gromm was about to send the invitations out. With no time to re-do the work, the stamps were used anyway. Out of the original 500 Penny Blues produced there are only twelve left in existence and they sell for upwards of one million pounds making them one of the world's most expensive stamps.
This is a nice rum at a decent strength and you are greeted by sweet notes of vanilla, spice and butterscotch on the nose. As the aromas develop you can pick up leather and tobacco as well as citrus and cinnamon. Almonds can also be detected along with some faint floral notes. On the palate butterscotch leads the way followed by a mildly heated spice that heats the palate pleasantly along with orange and banana. Also present is vanilla, brown sugar and cinnamon. This is a very nice rum that deserves to be sipped neat. Add a cube or two of ice and some creamy chocolate flavours also start to emerge. This is a steal at just £37.99 and you can buy yours by clicking here.