Bristol Labourdonnais Rum 2010

Bristol Classic Rum is a long running English bottler known for liquid history and a largely purist approach, and this Mauritius rum draws on stock from the Labourdonnais estate, made from molasses rather than cane juice, so it belongs with the molasses tradition rather than the island's agricole side. Carrying a 2010 vintage and twelve years of ageing in ex bourbon oak, it shows a bright, fruit forward character.

The nose is fresh and floral with grapes and mandarin, while the palate turns flowery, sweet and perfumed with passion fruit, the finish drying out with grapes, a cognac note and cocoa, pointing to a cognac cask influence. It drinks as a young, pretty, fruity rum, the extra cask note subtle but adding a rounding touch. Bottled at 47% by a respected independent, it is an elegant, perfumed Mauritian molasses rum, a polished example of Bristol's regional bottling and an easy, fragrant pour for unhurried sipping.