Grays New Grove Old Tradition 10

New Grove is the molasses rum made by Grays in Mauritius, and this Old Tradition 10 is the aged expression of that smooth island style. Mauritius sits in the French-influenced Indian Ocean tradition but cannot use the word agricole, and this is a molasses rum rather than a cane-juice one, so it is best read as a soft, wood-led sipper.

Ten years in ex-bourbon oak gives caramel, burnt sugar and gentle wood, but the character that sets it apart is a vein of tropical fruit and cool menthol or eucalyptus freshness that keeps it lively. At 40% it stays light and relaxed, an easy daily pour with more personality than its strength suggests. Distillation detail is not stated, though aged molasses rum of this kind is typically drawn from a column still, which fits the clean, rounded shape here.