Grays New Grove Emotion 1969

New Grove Emotion comes from Grays on Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island with a French influenced rum culture. It is worth being clear that this is a molasses rum, not an agricole, despite the island's French heritage, and in the house style it would have been distilled on a column still for a cleaner, rounder base.

Years in oak have given it real polish. The nose moves through rose petal florals, caramelised citrus and a little mint, while the palate offers dark fruit, roasted cocoa and coffee over well integrated wood, finishing on oak and soft spice. At 47% it carries flavour without any alcohol fight, the kind of mature, fruit and chocolate profile that drinks comfortably neat and rewards an unhurried glass. A refined sipper for drinkers who enjoy softer Demerara or Barbados rums and want something with character but no rough edges, ideal after a meal.