Made from freshly pressed cane juice, this rum comes from Kikusui, a rum distillery located in the south of the archipelago on the island of Shikoku in Kuroshio, known for being the oldest sugar cane producer in Japan .

Price : between 46 and 60€ for a capacity of 70cl and 40°.

Age : made from freshly pressed cane juice, it aged for 7 years in oak barrels.

Ryoma Sakamoto was born in Tosa (now Kochi) in November 1836 and is a representative figure of the patriots who led the Meiji Revolution. His name "Ryoma" comes from a legend of a god named Kirin, with the head of a dragon and the body of a horse. Its meaning also comes from a fast horse that can run 3900 km in a single day. The day before he was born, Ryoma's mother dreamed of a dragon rising to heaven. The child she gave birth to had a mane on its back, which explains his name. In addition to being an expert swordsman in the Hokushin Itto style, he had a weapon, which was rare for the time. He is also famous for having marketed the first Japanese commodity, and was a pioneer in many fields. He was assassinated at the age of 33, a year before the Meiji Revolution. Oddly enough, it was the same day he was born, November 15. In modern times, he remains very popular along with Nobunana Oda as a historical hero who created a new Japanese era.

COLOR  : Slightly veiled white. The veiling is just due to the passage in barrels which surprisingly does not communicate the same exchange as on other spirits. It is therefore not amber, simply tinted.

TEXTURE  : Very oily.

NOSE  : Very surprising, because olfactorily it is not a rum!!! The notes are disconcerting: fruit brandy, Marc de Gewurztraminer, Grappa Moscato. With a little more aeration, subtle aromas of Yuzu and citrus appear. Sweet vanilla tea, rice powder, white flowers between Jasmine and Daisy. Hot waffle batter, yellow chartreuse.

Extremely complex, all finesse and subtlety, this rum has a disconcerting nose. There is no real reference point with other rums that we currently know, this Ryoma is so contrary.

PALATE  : The attack is lively, surprising, rich, a bit metallic. Japanese precision in all its art, from origami to traditional calligraphy. A perfect balance and equilibrium, where all the olfactory notes are found on your taste buds, closing with a return to coconut milk and fresh sugar cane juice. The proximity of the sea also brings a slightly marine influence to this rum.

FINALLY  : a true masterpiece, this version of Ryoma 7 years is really recommended. Every amateur must really taste this marvel one day. Superb Japanese Boy.

JAPANESE PROVERB  : It is better to be the beak of the rooster than the tail of the bull.

To help you (and me) find your way around, regarding the notes:

90 and + : exceptional and unique rum, it is the best of the best
between 85 and 89 : highly recommended rum, with that little something that makes the difference
between 80 and 84 : recommendable rum
75-79 POINTS : above average
70-74 POINTS : in the low average
less than 70 : not very good

Review courtesy of DuRhum.com.

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