Review #: 405
Description: Rum Nation 2008 Savanna Sherry Finish
Spirit: Rum
Background: This is a 10 year old rum from the Savanna Distillery in Reunion. Finished in a sherry cask before being bottled by the independent bottler Rum Nation, it falls under their Rare Rums label. Despite being from Reunion, this apparently is made from molasses and not cane juice. Let’s see how it tastes then.
Distillery – Savanna
Bottler – Rum Nation
Brand – Rum Nation
Selection – N/A
ABV – 57.4%
Age – 10 Years
Nose – Heavy cherry cola, gingerbread, dark and fruity (can’t place the exact fruit though but smells jammy), there’s a bit of industrial funk but it is so well integrated. Not like some of the Jamaicans that lean heavily into it. Air time reveals some fudgy oak on the back end.
Taste – More cola but less fruity, lots of ginger and allspice, sweet oak. Not very sweet but not overly bitter. Extremely balanced.
Finish – Oaky, spicey, dried cherries, ginger, cola, just a hint of industrial plastic but once again it blends in well with the flavors
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? Not sure about MSRP, but I pulled up an auction that finished at 65 GBP in which case, yes I would.
Thoughts: I am really surprised by just how balanced this is. Both the sweetness with the oak, and the industrial funk is just so contained and nuanced. Even the proof is pretty well controlled. Lovely sherry influence and great distillate. An incredibly solid rum.