I'm pleased to be able to post a review long in coming. I'd become aware of this well regarded rum from the house of Seale and completely fulfilled my requirements for a purchase: well reviewed and regarded, commonly available and very fairly priced. Sue Sea and I also enjoyed this rum at Robert Burr's tasting of the rums of Barbados, attended by Richard Seale himself. Although we've done a number of tastings over the past few months, none had been "official" and recorded. This one was:
Sue Sea:
Me:I have to admit we both really love Richard Seales and have come to have the highest respect for his products.
Doorly's XO has a beautiful, sparkling amber color, very reminiscent of Mount Gay Extra Old. It's clear and glowing has great legs, a joy to watch. The aroma is old oakey with a bit of deep citrus, apricot-like. A sort sweet pancakey aroma. The taste is as smooth as it is explosive with a little smoky heat and some real complexity. Ooo-la-la! The taste is even better than the aroma. Flavors exploded in my mouth, full of spicy and taste sensations. The finish was consistent, just keeps on going and it's at this time that you begin to identify the tastes. Apricot, clove, smoky, oakey - simply gorgeous. The sweetness seems to come from the apricot. A great kick.
There are few rums I'd buy, but I'd buy Doorly's XO.
As always I have little to add to Sue Sea's wonderful reviews - she was really "on" this night. I recently reviewed the reviews of the rums of Barbados and noted the consistency and quality of rums made on this island - primarily by Mount Gay and the house of Seale. Yet another example demonstrating the failure of the AOC on Martinique to achieve the same. R. L. Seale's rums - as a group - are very hard to beat - made by a distiller of the highest integrity and commitment to quality.
Doorly's XO is yet another, and really belongs on your must buy list. Another great representative of the original, Barbadian/Bajan style rums. Thank you Richard Seale.
Rating (10 is best): Sue Sea - 9, Me - 8.