A.H. Riise XO 1888 Copenhagen + Non Plus Ultra Very Rare Mini

Volume: 0.72 litres | Alcohol content: 40.06% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: Yes

Special Features:

This gift set pairs XO 1888 Copenhagen with a miniature of Non Plus Ultra Very Rare. It contains a 0.7-litre bottle of XO 1888 Copenhagen at 40% and a 0.02-litre miniature at 42%, allowing a direct comparison of two distinct blends from the same brand. The miniature sits at the top of the gift box and is visible from the outside. The set was introduced in September 2024 and is offered in a limited edition.

XO 1888 Copenhagen brings together several oak-matured distillates selected from distilleries in the West Indies and Central America. Its foundation consists of long-aged, double-distilled spirits; the oak casks used previously held sweet dessert wines. Its sweet, creamy character combines fruit with wood and warm spice. The edition commemorates the award received by Riise products at the Nordic Exhibition of Industry, Agriculture and Art in Copenhagen in 1888.

Non Plus Ultra Very Rare provides a creamy contrast with dark caramel and vanilla. Muscovado sugar, orange zest and a delicate menthol note add to its aromatic range. Particularly high-quality cask stocks from distilleries in the Caribbean and Central America are selected for this blend. It matures in oak casks that previously held fortified wines and sweet dessert wines. These previous contents contribute to its sweetness and aromatic depth. The Latin name Non Plus Ultra roughly means “nothing beyond” and alludes to the legendary boundary of the known world.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, XO 1888 Copenhagen combines gentle oak notes with old leather and dried apricots. Orange and lemon complement its fruity aroma. Non Plus Ultra Very Rare has aromas of spices, muscovado sugar and orange zest. A delicate menthol note complements these impressions.
• Palate: XO 1888 Copenhagen tastes of warm spice, Christmas cake and orange peel. Tobacco and dark caramel also emerge. A hint of English wine gums appears towards the end. Non Plus Ultra Very Rare feels creamy and smooth on the palate. Spices, menthol, muscovado sugar and orange zest remain discernible, joined by dark caramel and vanilla.
• Finish: Citrus oils linger with a creamy impression in the finish of XO 1888 Copenhagen. Dried fruit, old oak and a subtle sherry accent also emerge. The finish of Non Plus Ultra Very Rare combines vanilla and toffee with a buttery impression and subtle spice. Creamy caramel fudge notes complete the finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

The history of A.H. Riise leads to Saint Thomas in what were then the Danish West Indies. Danish pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise worked there; in 1838, the Danish government granted him the exclusive right to produce alcohol on the island. His work as a pharmacist and his spirits form the historical background of the brand.

The selection and blending of matured distillates are central to today's blends. For XO 1888 Copenhagen, the Master Blender selects distillates from various rum distilleries in the West Indies and Central America. The brand thus combines different cask stocks into its own composition rather than restricting the bottling to a single distillery.

Facts: