Romdeluxe Savanna Collectors Series No. 7 Grand Arôme 2013

RomDeluxe is the Danish house behind the Wild Series funk bombs, but this Collectors Series Savanna shows a calmer hand, an eight year old single cask from Réunion's 2013 harvest made from fresh cane juice and bottled unsweetened at full proof. Despite the grand arôme label it reads more traditional than wild, so set aside expectations of explosive ester funk.

Distilled on a Savalle still and matured in ex bourbon wood under tropical heat, with what tastes like a red wine cask influence, it turns dark and woody. The nose runs solvents, marmalade, grape and barrel, the palate is rich with dark chocolate, marmalade, cream toffee and a roasted edge, and the finish stays on barrel, spice and a touch of pineapple. At 55.6% it sips well for its strength, a cask driven agricole for drinkers who like their cane juice dry, woody and higher proof.