A rum duet

Exhuberant non-cognac things

molasses-based rums

Two French IBs, two very expressive profiles. And two rocketfuel ABV that are going to challenge my cognac palate.

SVN Distillery Rhum traditionnel 6yo 60,1%

So Savanna, for those who are still trying to guess what SVN means. And 3 years of classic ageing, then 3 years in Bourbon cask, Grand Arôme cask and a late 80s armagnac that has already been reviewed here. Quite promising…

Colour: Old gold, hay lights. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Full of vanilla notes, with a touch of vegetal scents in the background. Varnish wood, fresh paint. A few orchard notes, mainly tinned pear. You also get sharp, rustic cereal notes, almost rye-like in profile.

Palate: Extra-oily texture. Orchard notes again, immediately followed by rustic plum eau-de-vie aromas. Quite sharp, combining massive peppery notes with a rocket-fuel ABV that could be better integrated, in my opinion.

Last Notes: Obvious rye notes again. Nice herbal shades of fresh tarragon, lemongrass and basil. Candied citrus notes in the background. Back on the palate, slightly more tannic than previously perceived. It ends on raisins and crushed almonds.

Fun, but I miss a bit of wood and alcohol integration. Cool label by the way!

84/100

Swell de Spirits Easy Peasy #4 Distillerie du Galion 56,3%

A 3yo Grand Arôme from Distillerie du Galion. 100% of tropical ageing. Bourbon barrel. Let’s go!

Colour: Hay, gold lights. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Overripe banana and Tabasco notes at first. Full of candy aromas, like cotton candy and chemical chewing gum. Some Savanna Herr vibes, but much gentler. Then come round, fruity notes, mainly pineapple stew.

Palate: Extra-oily texture. Opulent briny notes at first, on smoked herring and black olive, echoing the Savanna notes previously perceived. And still those pleasant candy impressions. Easy peasy indeed.

Last Notes: With air, a touch of yeasty notes appears. Opulent clove and camphor aromas. Back on the palate, nice spiced notes on red pepper and paprika.

An easy-drinking profile, even with this level of esters and such a high ABV. Pleasant, for shuuure.