Grays New Grove Savoir-Faire (Islay Whisky cask finish) 2013

This is the Islay-finished sibling in the New Grove Savoir-Faire range from Grays on Mauritius, a 2013 distillate aged eight years. It is a molasses rum rather than cane juice, so despite the agricole label it is best described plainly as an aged molasses rum given a heavily peated finish, bottled at 46%.

The Islay cask dominates, bringing pronounced peat smoke, earth, brine and a maritime edge that sits over the rum's own fruit. Peach, citrus and caramel survive underneath to keep things coherent, and the finish stays smoky, woody and salty. This is firmly a crossover bottle, suited to drinkers who love peated Scotch and want to see that profile translated onto rum, and it leans further toward Islay than the Rozelieures version. Slow sipping suits it best, with the understanding that smoke is the headline.