Notes: This is am interesting rum in that it is a marriage of two distinct Jamaican rums from two different distilleries using two very different pot stills. A lot of rum are made from blends of different rums but mostly those are blends of column and pot stills to create a blend that uses the  characteristics of each type ) column stills contributing lighter tastes and styles and pot stills contributing heavier bodies, flavors and usually a bit of funk to the mix. It is much rarer to see a blending of two very distinct pot stills. These two stills are a Vendome Still from Clarendon with the unique Marks of EMB & MLC  and the Long Pond Marks of VRW & STC^E.In more or less English, the are very specific criteria/designations for the characteristics of the rum. For an extremely detailed and geeky explanation go to : Cocktail Wonk Rum Marques. This is also a gateway to even more rum geekdom and I highly recomend it. Just be prepared to dive down a deep rabbit hole !

Appearance: clear

First Impression:Heavy rum presence with sweetness, grass notes , cinnamon with hints of nutmeg, allspice, and persimmon.

Taste: Overall delicious with a somewhat weighty presence sweetish and spicy entry with grassy cane notes with a pleasant alkali drying with a lingering but not overwhelming sweetness. Finish  is medium long

Drinks: Works well in all manner of Tiki and other rum drinks. A medium to heavy bodied rum that is complex but not overwhelming or strangely challenging ( a growing trend among rums of late). A very solid choice for either sipping or mixing at an attractive pricepoint.

Bottle: Bell shaped clear glass with Ratafia net. Scalloped edge label with attractive graphics and artwork. Quite colorful drawings.Fair amount of information on back label but a challenge for anyone over 30 years old to read. Composite cork closure with flat black neck capsule and gold/bronze band with pot still graphic.
Overall an attractive and eye-catching package.

Other: This rum is part of the Planteray lines of rum  (Original Dark,  Overproof 63%, the Overproof 69% O.F.T.D, XO 2oth Anniversary,  Mauritius 2013,  Isle of Fiji, Sealander, Barbados 5 Year Old,  Belize 2008, Cut and Dry Coconut Rum, Stiggins Fancy Pineapple Rum Original 1824 Recipe, Canerock Spiced Rum, Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, the Monymusk White Overproof Jamaica Rum, and this,  Xamaca Special Dry Jamaica Rum , among  others  by the cognac house of Pierre Ferrand. This is part of a rebranding of the rum lines for the Pierre Ferrand Cognac house, which has also produced the Mathilde Liqueurs such as the Peach which we reviewed earlier, along with a Pear, Black Currant, Raspberry, and Orange XO. Their products also include Citadelle Gin, Citadelle Reserve Gin, Citadelle Rouge Gin, Citadelle Jardin D Été Gin, Citadelle Vive Le Cornichon Gin, Citadelle Vodka, Magellan Gin, and a host of other spirits. Alexandre Gabriel  the head of Pierre Ferrand is constantly blending and experimenting with new products as both an enthusiasm/hobby and also to develop new products. I highly recommend visiting the distillery  if you get a chance – it is a delight to both the eye and the palette.

Final Thoughts: It would be interesting to see this rum at aa slightly higher proof (92-95 ?), Probably too much for the public if it was barrel or navy proof (110-140) . Overall a very pleasant and well blended potstill rum marrying two very diverse rums into a harmonious blend.

Website: www.planterayrums.com/xaymaca

Overall an excellent website if a bit light on some information. The Specifications sheets are useful links on the individual rum pages but overall just as not derailed as some other rum websites we have seen. Good general information but the search functions and trying to find which category a particular rum comes under can be frustrating !