Famille Ricci Savanna Zodiac Taureau Grand Arôme 2017

Savanna on Reunion makes three distinct families of rum, among them the intensely funky high-ester Grand Arome built on long molasses fermentations. This Zodiac Taureau, a single cask selected by independent bottler Famille Ricci from a 2017 vintage, is drawn from that Grand Arome production and bottled at cask strength.

Matured in ex-bourbon oak and limited to a small run, it diverges from what the Grand Arome label usually promises: rather than the expected heavy ester funk, it reads as a powerful, fruit-brandy-like spirit, with overripe pineapple, pear and a fruity, schnapps-like character over light woody, smoky notes. At 64% the alcohol is intense and dominant, and the result is singular, even surprising, more high-proof eau-de-vie than textbook Grand Arome. There is no added sugar. A conversation piece for the curious, it is best approached with water and an open mind rather than firm expectations of classic Reunion funk.