Belize 13 yo (2008/2021), Mezan, 46%

Introduction

Mezan is an independent rum house with a strong philosophy of minimal intervention – no additives, no artificial colourants, simply rum in its most authentic form. This Belize 13 Year Old from the 2008 vintage is a testament to the Caribbean distillery’s ability to craft complex and elegant rums with deep roots in local tradition and ingredients.

Production Method

• Ingredients: Molasses from locally pressed sugarcane, grown near the distillery located in Belmopan, Belize. Natural fermentation ensures an authentic and unique flavour profile.
• Distillation Process: Distilled in a continuous triple column still, delivering a clean and precise spirit with preserved fruitiness and complexity.
• Maturation: A total of 13 years – the first 3 years aged tropically in Belize in heavily charred American bourbon casks, followed by 10 years of continental ageing in ex-white oak casks that previously held other Caribbean rums.
• Special Techniques: Mezan uses no additives or colourants, and the rum is undiluted beyond the final adjustment to 46% ABV. The combined tropical and continental maturation creates a unique balance between robust cask character and subtle elegance.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Soft oak notes and vanilla aromas unfold with hints of orange, caramel and hazelnuts – inviting and well-balanced.
• Palate: Full-bodied and well-rounded with elegant notes of orange crème brûlée, hazelnuts and candied fruit. Sweet and spicy wood comes forward initially, followed by a smooth caramel core.
• Finish: Complex and persistent, with a long-lasting finish of spiced oak, dark fruit and a discreet sweetness that invites another sip.

Serving Recommendations

• Serving Temperature: Room temperature, ideally around 18–20°C, to bring out the rum’s full flavour spectrum.
• Glass Recommendation: A tulip-shaped nosing glass or a copita glass, which concentrates the aromas and provides the best tasting experience.
• Serving Suggestions: Mezan recommends enjoying the rum neat and undiluted to fully appreciate every nuance. Avoid ice, as it may suppress the delicate aromas.
• Food Pairings: Pairs beautifully with high-cocoa dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, aged cheeses or desserts featuring caramel and citrus – such as a classic crème brûlée.

Product Specifications

• Alcohol Content: 46% ABV
• Bottle Size: 70 cl
• Country/Region of Origin: Belize, Central America – distilled at the distillery in Belmopan
• Certifications/Awards: Mezan is internationally recognised for its no-additive philosophy and has received praise from leading rum critics and specialist publications worldwide.

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

Mezan Belize 13 Year Old (2008/2021) represents the pinnacle of independent rum production – a single vintage that carries the hallmarks of both tropical intensity and continental refinement.

With only a limited number of bottles from this specific 2008 vintage, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a rum that will never be produced again in quite this form.

Mezan is one of the world’s most respected independent rum houses, and their uncompromising no-additive approach is recognised by experts and enthusiasts across continents.

Recognition from Connoisseurs

Rum connoisseurs and collectors around the world return time and again to Mezan’s single vintage releases for the authenticity and complexity they consistently deliver.

Once you have experienced Mezan’s philosophy of pure and unadulterated rum, it becomes difficult to settle for anything less – this Belize vintage is a natural next chapter in any serious collector’s journey.

From the tropical rainforests of Central America to the continental ageing warehouses, this rum embodies a craft that acclaimed critics and award juries have repeatedly highlighted as exemplary.

From Mezan to You

Mezan generously shares the story behind every single bottle – from the field where the sugarcane grows to the moment the cork is pulled – because they believe that true quality deserves to be told.

There is something refreshingly honest about a producer who refuses to compromise on their vision, and who with every bottle invites you into an authentic Caribbean world of flavour.

Join the community of rum lovers who value the unadulterated – and let this Belize 13 Year Old be your next flavour adventure.