Oxenham Craft Distillery Oaks & Âmes Gold Rum

Oxenham makes this Oaks and Ames gold rum on Mauritius, distilling from fresh-pressed sugar cane juice in the agricole style, though as an island outside the French appellations it sits as cane juice rum rather than legal agricole. At a year old and 43%, it is a young, gentle introduction to the category.

Unusually for an agricole-style rum it is pot distilled, then briefly matured in ex-bourbon oak. The nose offers tropical fruit, grass, caramel and a clear agricole note, the palate turns light, soft and oaky, and the finish stays light with cherry wood and gentle tannins. The short ageing and modest strength keep it easy and approachable rather than deep, with the cane character still fresh and legible. A relaxed, undemanding pour that shows off Mauritius working in a French-island idiom, well suited to casual sipping or a light cocktail.