Emperor Lily White

Emperor Lily White is an aged Mauritian rum from Emperor, distilled from molasses on a combination of pot and column stills and matured around twelve years in ex-bourbon oak. Despite the white name and the agricole-like aromatics, this is a molasses rum rather than a cane-juice spirit, and Mauritian producers cannot use the protected agricole term in any case.

What surprises is how grassy and agricole-leaning the nose is, with a distinct green-grass and herbal note alongside mild spice and fruit. The palate is sweet, fresh and fruity with a touch of spice, and the finish stays fruity and sweet, though on the lighter, gentler side. The long ageing has rounded the molasses base into something soft rather than heavy. Bottled at an easy 42%, it is an approachable, fruit-led sipper. A pleasant, mellow Mauritian rum that plays against type with its grassy aromatics, best enjoyed neat for its soft sweetness.