Emperor London Bridge

Emperor bottles rum from Mauritius, and this London Bridge is a twelve-year expression built from both molasses and fresh sugar cane juice, matured in ex-bourbon oak and bottled at a gentle 40%. Mauritian rum follows the agricole method in part but cannot use the protected word, which belongs to the French islands.

Despite the molasses component, the rum leans toward an agricole-like character, the nose showing floral, fruity and grassy notes with a green lift, the palate staying smooth with that same floral, fruity, lightly agricole feel, and the finish soft and gently sweet. The low strength and twelve years of tropical ageing make for an easy, mellow pour. It is an approachable aged island rum, smooth and undemanding, well suited to relaxed sipping rather than to those chasing the dry, forceful snap of a high-proof blanc.