Old St. Croix (Riise) XO Tribute Reserve

Overview: The Old St. Croix (Riise) XO Tribute Reserve at a glance

• A.H. Riise becomes Old St. Croix!
• A tribute to A.H. Riise: Dedicated to the Danish pharmacist and adventurer Albert Heinrich Riise
• Old St. Croix tradition: The historic brand name lives on to this day
• Caribbean heritage: Aged spirits from the West Indies and Central America
• Traditionally crafted: Slow fermentation and classic distillation
• Limited edition: Only 24,407 bottles produced worldwide
• Allergen information: may contain traces of walnuts

Portrait: What makes the Old St. Croix (Riise) XO Tribute Reserve special

Albert Heinrich Riise was a pharmacist. And an adventurer. And a naturalist. And an entrepreneur. In short: a man for whom a single profession was evidently not enough.

Born in Denmark in 1810, Riise found his way to the then-Danish West Indies—specifically, to the island of St. Thomas.

There, he opened a pharmacy and devoted himself—alongside his professional duties—to intensively exploring his new home. He scientifically documented the local flora and fauna; after all, if you are living in the Caribbean, you might as well discover exactly what grows, crawls, and blooms there.

However, Riise’s curiosity extended well beyond the natural sciences. He also turned his attention to the production and composition of spirits. A combination of scientific interest, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to craftsmanship gave rise to a legacy that lives on today under the historic Old St. Croix brand.

The XO Reserve Tribute is a homage to this extraordinary pioneer. The blend features an aged, molasses-based rum matured in casks from renowned distilleries across the West Indies and Central America. Components of varying ages come together to form a distinctive blend.

Production methods also remain true to traditional roots. Slow fermentation and classic distillation are as much a part of the concept as the careful selection and blending of the aged spirits. The goal: to bring Riise’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship into the present day.

It goes without saying that such a tribute is not the sort of thing produced on a mass scale. In total, only 24,407 bottles of the XO Reserve Tribute were produced. A fitting form of commemoration for a man who clearly experimented with many things during his lifetime.

Old St. Croix XO Tribute Reserve thus combines Caribbean history, traditional production methods, and the life story of a remarkably versatile man.

In other words: Albert Heinrich Riise explored the Caribbean. The XO Reserve Tribute serves as a reminder of this—bottle by bottle.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Old St. Croix (Riise) XO Tribute Reserve tastes like

• Nose: Delicate notes of chocolate and bergamot define the nose. In the background, a subtle hint of tobacco emerges, adding an interesting extra nuance.
• Palate: On the palate, the rum is light and fruity. Peppermint and bergamot provide fresh accents, lending the profile a lively, balanced character.
• Finish: The finish is defined by peppermint and milk chocolate. A very delicate note of tobacco lingers, creating a subtle yet distinctive conclusion.