Features

Origin: Mauritius
Type: Old XO rum
Distillery: Oaks & Souls
Degree: 42%
Capacity: 70 cl (with carafe)
Aging: 6 years in ex-Chardonnay barrels (French oak)
Process: Fermentation of the vesou for 10 days at 16°C, distillation in a pot still (400 L) then in a column (80–90°C), placing in barrels at 65°C, slow reduction without added colouring.

Tasting notes

Nose: Intense, with hints of fresh vanilla , fruit syrup and coconut , with light peppery notes in the background.
Palate: Very intense, combining freshness and spices; gourmet volume with notes of Tatin pears , elegant wood underlined by a hint of toasted coconut .
Finish: Very long and racy, dominated by a precise woodiness and a subtle residual sweetness.

Pairings and tasting moments

Ideal as a refined digestif , served at room temperature to fully appreciate all its nuances. Perfect with a platter of mature cheeses (Comté, Beaufort, or a mature goat's cheese) to highlight the vanilla roundness and subtle salinity. Excellent harmony with a Tatin pear dessert or a dark chocolate fondant to highlight the gourmet notes of cooked fruit and coconut. As an aperitif, pair it with toasted almonds or caramelized pecans to create a contrast of textures and flavors.

Product History

Oaks & Âmes XO Carafe is the flagship of the aged rum range from the Oxenham family distillery, established in Mauritius for four generations. Made from 100% pure cane juice, this XO rum is the result of discreet and controlled aging, designed to enhance the finesse of the aromas. The Oxenham family, with its experience in the distribution of wines and spirits, created its own distillery in 2005, before fully developing it in 2010 thanks to a partnership with local sugarcane farmers. Oaks & Âmes XO is based on a slow fermentation of ten days at low temperature (16 °C), allowing to preserve the floral and fruity aromas of the vesou. Distillation is first carried out in a 400 L pot still, then in a column, guaranteeing a distillate between 80 °C and 90 °C, rich in aromatic compounds. Barreled at 65 °C, the rum ages for 6 years in ex-Chardonnay barrels from French oak, bringing delicate notes of vanilla, cooked fruits and an elegant woody structure. Without the addition of coloring, it retains a natural golden color, reflecting its careful aging. This limited edition, presented in a sophisticated carafe, reveals all the excellence expected by lovers of Martinique rums.

Testimonials from our customers

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  “An exceptional XO! The aromas of Tatin pears and vanilla are perfectly balanced, and the woody finish is incredibly long.”
  — Claire M., Paris
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  "A rare sensory experience: the elegance of French oak combined with the richness of pure Mauritian cane juice. Enjoy without moderation."
  — Julien B., Lyon

The brand

Oaks & Âmes is a premium expression of Mauritian expertise, created by the Oxenham family. For four generations, this family first made a name for itself in the distribution of local and foreign wines, before launching into rum distillation in 2005. In 2010, taking advantage of the Mauritian government's opening to cane juice distillation, it established a modern distillery in the heart of the plantations, in partnership with local farmers. The distillery's four stills, fueled by sugarcane mash, annually produce 7,000 liters of pure juice rum, which is aged on site in six different types of barrels (ex-Chardonnay, ex-Bourbon, etc.). Oaks & Âmes rums, 100% pure cane juice, are distinguished by their distinguished elegance and complex aromatic profile, proof that the Mauritian terroir and family expertise can give birth to essentials in the world of aged rums.

About the distillery

The Oaks & Âmes distillery, founded by the Oxenham family in Mauritius, embodies the excellence of an old Mauritian rum made from pure cane juice. Located in the heart of the sugar cane fields, it benefits from an exceptional terroir : rich volcanic soil and a humid tropical climate, guaranteeing an optimal harvest of canes at full maturity. Partner farmers cultivate their cane without pesticides, respecting ancestral methods, to produce a vesou concentrated in natural sugars. Fermentation takes place over ten days at low temperature (16 °C), promoting the appearance of floral and fruity aromas while limiting the production of overly strong esters. This mastery of low-temperature fermentation helps preserve the identity of the cane juice and produce a distillate of great purity.

Distillation is carried out in two stages: a first passage in a 400 L pot still , followed by refinement in a tray column heated to between 80 °C and 90 °C. This combination of traditional still and modern column allows for the fine extraction of aromas while eliminating impurities. The heart of the toast, with an alcohol content of around 70% vol., is then placed in barrels for aging. The choice of barrels is essential: ex-Chardonnay barrels in French oak, renowned for their ability to transmit delicate notes of vanilla, white fruits and a slight buttery hint, are selected for aging for six years. Placed in barrels at 65 °C, the rum benefits from a slow reduction , with controlled evaporation which intensifies the aromas without drying out the wood. No coloring is added, ensuring a natural golden color, reflecting the maturity of the distillate.

The distillery's commitment is based on the values of authenticity , quality , and traceability . Each batch is traced from the cane plot to bottling, ensuring total transparency for the consumer. The production infrastructure is designed to limit the carbon footprint: using renewable energy to heat the stills, recycling bagasse (cane residue) for electricity production, and responsible wastewater management. The distillation site also promotes local biodiversity by maintaining wooded areas around the fields, thus preserving the island's ecosystem.

On the island of Mauritius , the Oaks & Âmes distillery stands out for its ability to combine tradition and innovation: the Oxenham family know-how, heir to a wine distribution business for four generations, has been enriched with advanced technical expertise to create exceptional rums. The facilities include copper stills, from the Charente tradition, and stainless steel fermentation tanks, equipped with temperature control systems to precisely adjust the fermentation phase. This complete technical mastery guarantees quality consistency, batch after batch, and makes it possible to create limited editions such as the XO Carafe, intended for demanding connoisseurs.

Finally, the distillery opens its doors to visitors, offering guided tours and educational tasting experiences. Participants discover sugar cane cultivation, the low-temperature fermentation process, distillation in stills and columns, as well as aging in ex-Chardonnay barrels. This immersion reinforces the community and educational dimension of the brand, while raising awareness of the importance of terroir and sustainable agriculture. By choosing Oaks & Âmes, you support committed local production, where the alliance of Mauritian terroir, family know-how and technological innovation results in an exceptional XO rum , reflecting a heritage tradition and an eco-responsible approach.