Savanna Creol Blanc

Savanna in Reunion makes agricole, molasses and Grand Arome rum side by side, and this Creol Blanc is its cane-juice agricole, an unaged white distilled on a column still from fresh-pressed sugar-cane juice. It is a fairly classic agricole blanc, true to the grassy, vegetal template rather than a soft, sweetened white.

The nose is earthy, floral and spicy, while the palate is thick and grassy with a peppery, vegetal grip and a little sweetness that helps offset a characteristic bitterness, the finish ending on that same dry, bitter, green note. Drinkers find it a decent, honest blanc rather than a revelation, with fresh cane, grass and fruit running through nose to finish. Bottled dry at 45%, it has the snap and body agricole calls for, well suited to a Ti' Punch or daiquiri where its grassy, peppery cane character can do the work, and approachable enough to sip neat for those who like the style.