Dzama Vidzar Cuvée Noire 2012

Dzama makes this Vidzar Cuvee Noire on Madagascar, blending distillates from fresh-pressed sugar cane juice and resting them in former Scotch whisky casks. From the 2012 vintage and bottled at 40%, it represents the softer, Indian Ocean side of cane juice rum rather than the bracing French-island style.

Matured for a couple of years in ex-whisky oak, it noses on vanilla, cardamom and gentle spice with a soft, approachable feel, and carries a smooth, sweet-leaning palate of vanilla and spice into a vanilla-dominated finish. The character is mild and easygoing, with the spice and vanilla doing more of the work than any grassy agricole snap, so it reads more rounded and gentle than dry or vegetal. The modest strength keeps it very drinkable. An accessible, soft cane juice rum for those who want a smooth, lightly spiced everyday sipper and a taste of Madagascar's distilling rather than a sharp, classic agricole.