Rivière du Mât Black Spiced

Riviere du Mat works on Reunion, and this Black Spiced is the sweet, flavoured side of the house rather than a serious cane juice rum. Bottled at a soft 35%, it is built for easy drinking, leaning on dark, dessert led aromas of caramel, chocolate and coffee.

The palate stays in that register: roasted notes, caramel and honey with a vanilla weight to the mouthfeel, and a clear sweetness running through to a cherry-tinged close. This is a spiced rum to enjoy for what it is, gentle, simple and pudding sweet, more at home over ice or in a relaxed mixed drink than poured neat alongside the island's dry cane juice blancs. Easy and undemanding, it is priced and pitched for casual drinking rather than serious sipping.