Saint Eloi Spirits Savanna Rhum Grand Arôme Haut Degré Grand Arôme 2007

Saint Eloi Spirits Savanna Rhum Grand Arome Haut Degre 2007 is a single cask from Savanna on Reunion, bottled by Saint Eloi Spirits. Savanna makes three very different families of rum, and Grand Arome is its high ester line, built on long fermentation of molasses for an intensely funky, fruit driven spirit, so this is best read as a molasses ester bomb rather than cane juice agricole.

Matured eleven years in ex bourbon oak and bottled at 64 percent, it leads with the signature Savanna ester profile of strawberry, pineapple and tropical fruit. The nose is all esters and red and tropical fruit, the palate piles on strawberry, pineapple and a yoghurt tang, and the finish stays on strawberry, wood, yoghurt and anise. Powerful yet well knit, it shines after a rest in the glass or a few drops of water, one for drinkers who already love big ester rum.