Samaroli South Pacific Pacific Oblivion Rum 2009

Samaroli, the historic Italian purist bottler, selected this Pacific Oblivion, a single cask South Pacific rum from Fiji distilled in 2009 and aged nine years to a deliberately measured 45%. It is exactly the kind of elegant, reduced proof single cask the house is known for, unsweetened and continental in feel.

Matured in ex-bourbon oak, the rum opens with a striking nose of fine glue, floral honey and sweet tropical fruit, almost like maraschino cherry. The palate then swings dry and savoury, bitter and woody with metallic, iodine and olive notes that mark out the Fijian character, before a finish of yellow fruit, iodine and vanilla. There is no added sugar, and the result is a demanding, briny sipper for drinkers who prize island funk and a coastal, mineral edge over easy sweetness.