Rivière du Mât Cuvée 1886

Riviere du Mat distils on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, and this Cuvee 1886 is made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice in the agricole manner, though Reunion sits under French overseas rules rather than the Martinique AOC, so it is fairest read as a Reunion agricole rather than an AOC bottle. Eighteen years of ageing in ex bourbon oak gives it real maturity, with the characteristic Reunionese profile coming through.

The nose is woody and fruity with freshness and spice, while the palate brings wood, a gentle sweetness, fruit and spice together, the finish turning to wood, dried fruit, tannins and caramel. It drinks as an easy sipping aged rum, lightly fruity and lightly sweet with a clear wood frame, the typical island character that marks out Reunion cane juice rum. Bottled at 43%, it is a rounded, mature pour built for relaxed neat drinking, a softer, more wood led take on aged agricole from one of Reunion's established houses.