dos maderas caribbean
It's another great expression from Dos Maderas.
Caribbean

Rum Journal: A Game-Changing Caribbean Rum Gets Even Better 

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - April 19, 2025 - 10:08 am

It may be hard to remember with the growth of rum in the last decade. But when Dos Maderas came out with its 5+5 rum, it was a bit of a game-changer for the spirit. 

At the time (more than a decade ago), nobody (outside of Martinique) was even thinking about doing cask-finish rums.

The premise? Take a blend of Barbados and Guyana rums and age it in the Caribbean for five years. Then send it to Jerez for another three years of aging in former sherry casks. Finally, another two years in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. 

The result was fantastic. For us, it sent particular shockwaves: a fascinating, dynamic rum expression that wasn’t just delicious — it was a great way to educate rum neophytes on just how interesting a spirit rum could be. 

For years, the 5+5 has been in the pantheon of important Caribbean rums, particularly in the United States. While cask-finish rums abound, and even larger brands like Bacardi finish their rums in everything from ex-rye to barrels flavored with Sevillian oranges, Dos Maderas remains a mainstay, and a rum that should be on your shelf. 

In recent years, the brand has expanded its range, too, from its ultra-high-end Luxus to another expression: Seleccion. 

So how is this one different? More aging. 

This one starts with the same five-year Caribbean aging; then another five years in ex-sherry at Williams & Humbert; finally, another two years in casks that formerly held 20-year Pedro Ximenez sherry. 

So what’s it like? 

The nose is just lovely, with brown sugar, nougat, leather. The flavor profile has notes of oak, black cherry, pepper, allspice, caramel, almond and a hint of sour orange. 

It’s a lovely rum, and another wonderful expression from one of the world’s great rum brands. 

This is one you wouldn’t mind spending an evening with. 

Rum Journal Review

92 Points

Popular Posts trinidad beach maracas

This Trinidad Beach Has Golden Sand, Green Hills, and the Country’s Most Famous Sandwich

Golden sand. Beach shacks and cold beer. Perfect street food.  Maracas Beach isn’t just the best beach on the island of Trinidad. It’s the best place on the whole island. The sand is perfect, a coastline edged by Trinidad’s verdant green […]


American Airlines Is Adding a New Nonstop Flight to Curacao, a Caribbean Island That Is Buzzing Right Now

caribbean island curacao american airlines

The colors of Willemstad. The waves of Cas Abao. The rosé at Saint Tropez. The live music at the Avila. Curacao is a rich mosaic of culture, food, art and vibes. And the Caribbean island is as buzzy as it’s […]


Jungles, Jaguars, Reefs and Beaches. Here’s Why Travelers Are Flocking to Belize.  

belize travel beaches

The jungles. The beaches. The reefs. The jaguars. If you know Belize, you know there’s nowhere quite like it in the Caribbean: a vibrant, layered destination, one where you can spend the morning in a tree-filled river and the afternoon […]


Related Posts american airlines martinique caribbean island

Caribbean Week Is Coming Back to New York, And It’s Adding a Cultural Showcase

It’s the biggest celebration of the Caribbean in the Big Apple: Caribbean Week, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s annual summertime event that puts the spotlight on the region in the world’s biggest media market.  Now, the Caribbean Tourism Organization has added […]


St Vincent and the Grenadines Is Making a New Push for UK Travelers

st vincent grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines has launched a year-long tourism campaign in London aimed at increasing awareness and driving visitor arrivals from the United Kingdom. The campaign, called Discover More, debuted this week in Kensington Court in collaboration with Virgin […]


American Airlines Is Adding a New Nonstop Flight to Curacao, a Caribbean Island That Is Buzzing Right Now

caribbean island curacao american airlines

The colors of Willemstad. The waves of Cas Abao. The rosé at Saint Tropez. The live music at the Avila. Curacao is a rich mosaic of culture, food, art and vibes. And the Caribbean island is as buzzy as it’s […]