Charrette Rhum Blanc

Charrette is a collaborative white rum from the island of Reunion, blending output from the island's distilleries into what is reputedly its best-selling bottle. It is made from cane syrup rather than fresh-pressed juice, so it sits in the agricole-style camp rather than qualifying as a true AOC agricole, an honest, no-frills mixer rather than a contemplative sipper.

Column-distilled and bottled at a punchy 49%, it is vegetal and fruity on the nose with a clear alcohol lift, and the palate stays rustic and a touch rough with a sweet edge. This is a bottle built for work: it shines in Ti' Punch, cocktails, baking and rhums arranges, and offers strong value for the money, but neat it shows its rough-and-ready character rather than polish.