Saint Eloi Spirits Savanna Rhum Vieux Traditionnel (Les Chais Saint Éloi 88) 2011

Bottled by Saint Eloi Spirits from Savanna's Saint Eloi cellars, this is the Reunion distillery's traditional, molasses based rum rather than its cane juice agricole or its high ester Grand Arome. Savanna runs three quite different rum families under one roof, so the label matters, and this 2011 vintage sits in the drier, more restrained traditional camp. Twelve years of largely tropical ageing show in its depth, carried at an approachable 49%.

Maturation in ex bourbon, the usual choice for aged molasses rum, frames woody, roasted and lightly vanilla notes alongside candied fruit, red berries and marzipan. The palate turns peppery and roasted with a little pineapple lift, finishing dry, nutty and faintly floral. It keeps the recognisable Savanna fruitiness while staying tamer and more classical than the distillery's full bore Grand Arome bottlings, a good way into the house for drinkers who find those too intense.