Rivière du Mât Grande Réserve

Riviere du Mat is a Reunion distillery, and this Grande Reserve is its aged cane juice rum, made from fresh juice rather than molasses. As a Reunion rum it sits in the agricole family in the wider sense, outside the Martinique AOC, and at eight years and 40% it lands firmly in easy, approachable territory rather than anything intense.

Light in body by design, it keeps a cane juice freshness lifted by floral and fruity aromatics, with Ex-Bourbon ageing adding vanilla, honeyed fruit and gentle oak. The palate carries spice and dried fruit over a light frame, and the finish is dry and peppery with a touch of sweetness. Nothing here pushes hard, which suits its role. For drinkers who like lighter agricoles or gently dry column still rums, this delivers cane freshness, vanilla and spice in a relaxed 40% format, equally at home as an easy sipper or the backbone of a characterful highball.