Grays New Grove Old Tradition 5

Grays New Grove Old Tradition 5 is a five year old molasses rum from Grays on Mauritius, makers of the New Grove range, bottled at 40%. Mauritian rum sits outside the French AOC system, and this is a column-distilled molasses rum rather than a cane-juice agricole, so it reads softer and more rounded than a grassy blanc.

Matured in ex-bourbon oak, it offers light tropical fruit, apricot and gentle vanilla custard over soft oak, with a little dried fruit and chocolate on a light finish. At 40% it is easy and undemanding, a touch diluted in feel but pleasant and well made for the price. It works as a relaxed sipper or a mixing rum, and serves as a friendly introduction to Mauritius for drinkers stepping over from soft Barbados or Latin-style bottlings.