Charrette Vieux 3 Years

Charrette is a long-standing Reunion brand, and this Vieux is a traditionnel rum rather than a pure agricole, built from a blend of molasses and fresh sugar-cane juice. Reunion runs several rum styles side by side, so the label matters: this is the gentle, accessible end of the island's output, aged three years in ex-bourbon and pitched for everyday drinking.

Released at 40% with sweetening undisclosed, it noses on honey, vanilla, tobacco and pear, then drinks vanilla-forward with coconut, barrel and orange peel before a thin, woody finish. The molasses share gives it a softer, rounder feel than a grassy cane-juice white, while the low strength and short age keep it light and simple. It works best as an undemanding mixing rum or a casual neat pour rather than a contemplative sipper, an honest introduction to Reunion's traditionnel style.