Grays New Grove Vanilla Liqueur

Grays makes this New Grove Vanilla Liqueur on Mauritius, a molasses-based rum turned into a sweetened vanilla liqueur. It belongs squarely in the flavoured category, so it is best understood as a dessert pour rather than a rum, with sweetness as its defining trait.

Built on a molasses base and bottled at a low 26%, it keeps things simple and sweet. The nose offers honey, vanilla and brown sugar, while the palate echoes that honey and vanilla with an oily texture. The finish drifts toward toffee with apricot and more honey. Honestly, this is a sweet, straightforward liqueur with little pretence of complexity, well suited to baking, drizzling over dessert or a small sweet nightcap, and squarely aimed at drinkers who enjoy a frankly sugary vanilla pour.