Vagabond Spirits Savanna Silva Collection SVN 2003

This is a long aged Savanna from Reunion, drawn from a 2003 vintage and bottled by Vagabond Spirits as a single cask after more than twenty-one years. The base material is not stated, but the profile points to Savanna's traditional molasses style, and the rum carries a finishing period in TDL wood. It is bottled at full, uncut strength of 61.3%, a serious rum for experienced drinkers.

More than two decades of ageing have made it intensely woody, layering heavy dried fruit, polished oak, leather, mint and black tea, with peach and a touch of varnish adding depth. The palate is woody and leathery with dried fruit, and the finish is very long and slowly evolving. The minty lift is an intriguing counterpoint to all that oak, and the strength rewards slow, focused sipping with time in the glass. For those who love old Savanna or aged single casks, this pushes the wood and dried fruit depth about as far as it goes.