Savanna Art of Rum by Yann le Gall 2014

This Art of Rum edition is an eight year old from Savanna in Reunion, the distillery that uniquely runs cane-juice, traditional molasses and high-ester rum under one roof. The base material here is not stated, but the herbal, vegetal character points to Savanna's crossover style, where agricole freshness meets the depth of aged molasses rum.

Matured in ex-bourbon oak and bottled at 54%, it shows herbal, woody and lightly fruity notes with citrus and pepper and a touch of bitterness, a drier and more vegetal profile than a sweet aged rum. The strength gives it grip without tipping into wildness, so it suits slow neat sipping once it has had time to open. The added-sugar status is not disclosed, though the dry, herbal shape suggests the oak and spirit are doing the work. A solid, characterful pour for those who like both agricole snap and molasses weight.