Depaz, one of the world’s oldest rums, dating back to 1651, has announced its official launch in the UK this autumn, bringing a taste of its lush Martinique home in the French West Indies to drinkers.
One of the few rums to hold ‘AOC Rum Agricole’ status (‘appellation d’origine controlee’), a mark exclusive to Martinique, denoting production in a small designated geographical area, Depaz is a traditionally crafted rum of exquisite quality and flavour, the perfect embodiment of its place and the perseverance of its people over 350 years.
Following a series of launch events during the next two months, a portfolio of four 700ml Depaz expressions will be available from specialist spirit retailers and bars across the UK. They are:
Plantation Rum, which has been matured in oak casks for at least three years. This characterful rum has delicate vanilla aromas, with hints of coconut and chocolate, followed by soft notes of prune, cocoa and cinnamon on the nose. It boasts distinctive notes of vanilla, candied fruit, coconut, chocolate and prune.
VSOP Reserve Speciale offers a unique blend of rums aged for at least seven years in selected small oak casks. On the nose, there is a perfect blend of chocolate, dried fruit, tobacco and liquorice aromas, with hints of prune, vanilla and soft oak. It supplies a beautifully rounded taste, pairing prune notes with hints of soft oak and a long, slightly spicy finish.
Grand Reserve XO is an exceptionally rich, complex, yet balanced blend of rums aged between nine and ten years. Spice, chocolate, rose, and liquorice aromas give way to prune, vanilla and soft oak notes on the nose. There are flavours of soft, fine vanilla and oak on the palate.
Depaz Port Cask Finish, which has been matured for at least eight years in selected oak casks and finished for eleven months in Port casks to give a distinctive flavour. On the nose, there are aromas of delicate oak with vanilla, chocolate and ripe fruits.
Flavours of soft oak, followed by vanilla pastry and chocolate on the palate, develop into notes of mature port laced with hazelnut, dried fruits, cocoa and rose jam. The lingering finish has notes of subtle jasmine, coffee and plum.
The Depaz tastings will take place at Rumfest on the 20th and 21st of October and at The Spirit Show on the 22nd and 23rd of November in London.
Depaz Rhum – Where and How?
For more information on Depaz Rhum, visit www.depazrhum.com.