Overview

Brand: Holmes Cay, Single Origin series

Origin: Distillerie de Savanna, Cambuston, Saint-André, Réunion

Still: Column

Age: Unaged

Finish: n/a

ABV: 50%

What better way to follow-up our review of Holmes Cay's Réunion Grande Arôme rum than with its sibling bottle? Holmes Cay Réunion Island Agricole is the second half of the pair that hails from the renowned Savanna distillery.

This unaged rhum agricole was produced from a fresh cane juice base via Savanna's Savalle column still, in line with AOC regulations. It was bottled in New York state at 50% ABV.

Appearance

Clear, medium viscosity

Nose

Sharp freshly-cut sugarcane, sliced roma tomatoes, fresh mixed greens, cilantro, salt & vinegar potato chips

Palate

Green bell pepper, sugarcane, diluted white wine vinegar, salted green beans, okra

Finish

Medium-long, savory, balanced; green bell pepper, semifine white sugar, serrano peppers

Rating: 8/10

Summary

Holmes Cay's Réunion agirole rum may just be my new favorite rhum agricole. It's got a lot of heft and savory, vegetal qualities that is as unique as it is tasty.

The nose yields an intense, sharp, fresh-cut sugarcane aroma right off the bat, leading to umami-laden notes of roma tomatoes, greens, cilantro, and salt & vinegar chips. Green bell pepper rules the palate, along with diluted white wine vinegar, salted green beans, and some pickled okra, leading to a medium-long, savory finish.

This is a lot of fun, and stands out amongst other blanc rhum agricole that I've had. It's a little one-dimensional in the vegetal qualities, but it does it so well that I don't really mind. Excellent release from the Holmes Cay team.

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Further Reading