Savanna The Wild Island Edition – Piton des neiges 2006

This Wild Island Edition is a Savanna Grand Arome, the Reunion distillery's high-ester family made from long-fermented molasses, not its agricole or standard molasses lines. Aged 12 years in ex-bourbon oak and bottled at 63.9% as a single cask, this 2006 is an intense, funky expression that rewards patience in the glass.

Long fermentation drives the ester load, so the nose is loud with strawberry, overripe fruit, brown sugar and pineapple. The palate keeps the strawberry and pineapple alongside chocolate and a roasted note, green olives and spice surfacing as it opens, the finish long and powerful on strawberry, wood and pineapple. This is molasses rum, not agricole, and at full proof it needs air and slow sipping to show its armagnac-like fruit and roasted wood. A characterful Grand Arome for an experienced palate that likes high esters at strength, neat with time.