Savanna Collection Grand Arôme Omaggio 2007

Savanna's Grand Arome is its high-ester, long-fermentation molasses line, intensely funky and quite distinct from the distillery's cane-juice agricole, a difference worth keeping clear. This 2007 Omaggio is the style at full tilt, ten years in ex-bourbon oak and bottled without dilution.

The esters dominate in the best way: the nose bursts with overripe pineapple and banana, fermented fruit and a glue-edged funk, and the palate piles on bubblegum and tutti frutti, lavender tea, olive and tobacco, all wrapped in dry, woody spice. The finish carries tropical fruit, pastry and orange peel into a long, spiced close. Unsweetened and bottled at 55.1%, this is a vivid, characterful sipper for drinkers who enjoy serious funk, best in small pours with a few drops of water to spread the fruit.