Grays New Grove Savoir-Faire Distillerie du Vercors (Whisky cask finish) 2013

Grays makes New Grove in Mauritius, and this Savoir Faire release, finished by Distillerie du Vercors, is a molasses based rum from the 2013 vintage given a finishing period in a whisky cask. Mauritius sits outside the French AOC, and this sits at the drier, more oak driven end of the New Grove range thanks to the extra strength and cask work.

Bottled at 46 percent, it carries more flavour than the standard 40 percent island whites. The nose offers citrus, woody notes, whisky character and raisin, the palate turns to orange, tannins, oak and caramel, and the finish runs woody and dry with orange peel. A French and virgin oak combination brings cherry and dried fruit, while the whisky cask shows as dryness rather than overt smoke. Honest about being more whisky leaning than a sweet dessert rum, this is a focused, good value sipper for drinkers curious about whisky finishes on aged molasses rum.