This 5-year-old Savanna rhum vieux, column-distilled from molasses, is a reissue of Savanna 5 ans Rhum Vieux Traditionnel.
It is a blend of a dozen ex-cognac French oak casks.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose opens with a very typical rum, with notes of molasses, strongly toasted wood and coffee. It begins to melt into a dark honey with accents of tar and dried flowers, then into thick, sticky drops of fruit juices. Vanilla, almond and caramel arrive with the opening, while the rum continues to launch a few flights of geranium.
On opening, the coffee and molasses are lemony and thus sharper. The woodiness takes on an air of toasted bread and rich nuts, with a hint of walnut brou de noix. Pepper is fresh and minty.
The palate is balanced and rather concentrated. Exotic fruits make a quick appearance, giving way to roasted nuts, roasted cocoa and tasty coffee. A little benevolent solvent cleanses a slightly tarry metal.
The finish is very roasted, even burnt and mineral. The oxidized nuts are coated in molasses.
"Here's a pure old molasses rum that goes well with well roasted woody notes..."
