Depaz Rhum Vieux Agricole XO Grande Réserve
Depaz · Distillerie Depaz
Depaz XO is a masterclass in terroir-driven rum — the volcanic slopes of Mont Pelée quite literally surface in every sip. It rewards patience, each return revealing another buried flavor that was always there, waiting. A serious, contemplative agricole that punches well above its price point.
Nose
An earthy, almost geological opening of damp clay and dried tobacco leaf gives way to caramelized banana and dark muscovado sugar. Deeper inhalation reveals buried layers of toasted oak, cocoa nibs, and a distinct minerality reminiscent of volcanic soil.
Palate
Rich and weighty on entry, with molasses-drenched dried fruit and espresso-roasted cane juice surfacing through waves of baking spice and leather. A secondary layer of coconut husk and orange zest emerges mid-palate, adding brightness to the dense, earthy core.
Finish
Long and smoldering, with tobacco, dark chocolate, and a persistent mineral tang that recalls the volcanic terroir of Mont Pelée. The agricole grassiness appears as a final whisper beneath the oak.
- Base Ingredient
- Fresh pressed sugarcane juice (vesou)
- Distillation
- Single column distillation of fresh sugarcane juice per Martinique AOC specifications
- Country
- Martinique, France
Cocktail Suggestion
The Excavation — 2 oz Depaz XO · 0.5 oz coffee liqueur · 0.25 oz orgeat · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir over a large rock, express an orange peel and lay it across the glass
Food Pairing
The caramelized crust and sticky tamarind sweetness of slow-roasted pork belly mirror the rum's molasses depth, while the meat's rendered fat carries the tobacco and oak notes across the palate. Serve with charred plantains and a slaw of jicama and lime.
Distilled at the foot of the volcano that destroyed the original Depaz estate in 1902, this XO is built on soil that was once ash — proof that buried catastrophe can yield extraordinary depth.
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