Dos Maderas P.X. 5 + 5

Country of Origin: finished in Spain, distilled and initially aged in Barbados and Guyana

Age: 10 years

Price per bottle*: $46

Alcohol: 40%

Category: Premium Aged Rum

Taster’s Rating (10 is best):

Dave - 9.5 Flasks

Roger - 9 Flasks

Objective Notes
Extremely Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

A deep cherry color, reddish brown like a brilliant sapphire.

The heavier caramel rum aromas are lifted by sweet traces of sherry, and subsequently reveal nuts (pecan) and vanilla, charred wood, dried fruit (raisins, figs, dates, plums and black cherries), then comes slightly earthy, musty and tannic scents where sugar cane meets grape, and old leather.  The initial taste wows from the complexity of fine rum blended with sherry depth, delivering herbaceous and sweet flavors without being cloying, fruity and substantial, and some spice (nutmeg, allspice) to enhance the flavors.  A medium-heavy weight body sets up a a finely balanced, long duration finish that enables you to savor more lightly charred oak, hints of tobacco, more than a little sherry, and very mild anise.

Anecdotal Notes
Dave – To better understand Dos Maderas P.X. 5+5, it helps to decipher the name: 

Dos Maderas = “Two Woods” in Español. 

5+5 = 10 in any language. The rum originates in the Caribbean (Guyana and  Barbados), where it is aged in oak for five years before being shipped to Jerez, Spain for another five years of aging in wood barrels. Interestingly, the Spanish word Jerez came to be spelled in English as “Sherry” over the years.

P.X. = Pedro Ximénez.  Upon arrival at Williams & Humbert’s  bodegas in Spain, the rum undergoes two additional aging steps in used sherry barrels, totaling five years. The rum first spends about three years in barrels formerly containing “Dos Cortados” Palo Cortado sherry before finally resting for a final two years in casks that previously held “Don Guido” Pedro Ximénez sherry.  Both sherrys are aged for an average of 20 years, no doubt embedding significant residual sugar in the wood, which ultimately contributes to Dos Maderas P.X. 5+5’s characteristic sweetness. 

Dos Maderas’ rums elicit even more interest when you consider their sources.  Bajan rums are numerous, generally exhibiting distinct character, always boastful and full of earthy flavor.  Guyanese Demerara rums also span a wide range, but all possess big flavors seemingly steeped in old world history, with molasses, licorice, charcoal and wood in abundance.  Age that blend in different used barrels, in different climates spanning two continents, and you’ve got the basis for a pretty dramatic spirit.

Taster's Opinion
Dave – Much has been written about this highly anticipated rum, and all of it good.  RnD is pleased to heap more on top of that stack of accolades.  After all, you expect serious complexity from a blend of rums that originated in two different Caribbean countries, and aged in three different kinds of barrels for 10 years.  Dos Maderas P.X. 5+5 delivers abundant complexity - on par with the world’s best spirits.  Also noteworthy for it’s absence is any turbulent character that often results from blending dissimilar rums.  For my tastes, the P.X. 5+5 is truly an exceptional rum, more interesting than fine sherry and smoother than most Bajan and Demerara rums.  Dos Maderas P.X. 5 + 5  is blended and aged to smooth perfection.

Roger – Dos Maderas PX 5+5 is a distinguished new rum on the market with a complex and unique flavor profile. Boldly it reveals it's secrets from the additional aging in Spain including three years in sherry casks used to age  "Dos Cortados" Palo Cortado sherry and another two years in casks used for the much awarded 20 year old "Don Guido" Pedro Ximénez sherry. The result is a beautiful dark mahogany color and unusually complex aromas and flavors. This brilliant rum is really meant only for sipping neat or on the rocks. It's easy to enjoy and you'll find your glass empty before you know it!

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Dave - 9.5 flasks; Roger – 9 Flasks

Most Recently Reviewed by: Dave and Roger, May 2010 in Miami, at Rum Renaissance Festival, where the rum earned a well deserved Gold Medal - Best in Class award.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.