Rum Nation Savanna Oloroso Cask (maisondurhum.be) 2008

This is a single oloroso sherry cask of Savanna rum from Reunion, bottled by Rum Nation for the Belgian shop maisondurhum.be. Savanna makes agricole, molasses and high-ester Grand Arome rum side by side; this 2008 is a molasses spirit, matured thirteen years and finished or fully aged in oloroso wood, then bottled at cask strength.

Rum Nation is known for its tropical-plus-European ageing, and the long oloroso influence shows in a dark, savoury profile: an earthy nose leading into mocha, roasted notes and a deep, brooding palate. It reads as powerful and concentrated rather than broad, a single-minded rum that doubles down on coffee and roast more than it spreads across many flavours. Bottled unsweetened at 59%, it is a serious, full-proof pour for drinkers who want their aged molasses rum dark, dry and uncompromising, with water on hand to open it.