Penny Blue XO as the award-winning Single Estate Mauritian Rum first introduced in 2013. Now a second batch of Penny Blue XO Rum has been released. The rum was distilled at Medine, the island’s oldest operational distillery, which first opened in 1926.
Penny Blue is a small-batch vatted rum, natural in color and non-chill-filtered, that is entirely produced on a single estate – from growing the sugar cane, to distillation, maturation and bottling. 22 casks were selected for maturation – an array of barrels previously holding cognac, whisky or bourbon. They were selected at their peak of maturity, each cask imparting its own personality and flavor profile. The combination delivers the full balance and complexity.
“Meticulously selecting the casks for maturation ensures each batch is distinct in character,” explains Berry Bros. & Rudd’s spirits manager Doug McIvor. “The key is retaining a level of continuity in each batch to maintain the rich, smooth and fruity complexity that makes this single estate rum a real expression of intriguing complexity.”
Tasting Notes for Penny Blue XO Batch #002:
Appearance: Deep amber with golden highlights
Nose: Tropical fruits with hints of eucalyptus, orange marmalade and rich oriental spices
Palate: Round and balanced, soft with creamy oak, rich orange peel and crème caramel
Penny Blue Rum is named after the famed Penny Blue Stamp, printed in Mauritius in 1847. It immediately became a collectors’ item because of its inscription: A mistake by the engraver resulted in it reading “Post Office” rather than the usual “Post Paid.” From the thousand stamps printed at the time, only 12 are believed to be in existence today.
Only 3,000 bottles of Penny Blue XO Batch #002 will be sold in the U.S. The retail price is $60.