Review by: Raygun

A quick note before anything else for the sake of transparency. This review was done with an industry sample provided free of charge, with no expectations beyond drinking it. As always, I do my best to provide my unbiased opinion, and readers can decide how they want to take these reviews . For more, check out the ethics statement we use on Maltrunners.com.

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Isautier has been around since 1845, founded by French settlers on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. This is molasses rum produced on a two-column still and aged for 16 years locally. Rested about 10 minutes. 

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Distillery: Isautier

Bottler: La Maison & Velier

Region/style: Réunion column still rum from molasses

ABV: 57% 

Age: 16 years. Distilled and barreled in 2006 and bottled in 2022. 

Cask type: Unknown. 2035 bottles.

Color: 1.6 mahogany.

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Nose: There’s a little funk to this, but mainly caramel, brioche, and some tea. With a touch of gym locker room.   

Palate: Quite woody, as one might expect after 16 years. Caramel, vanilla, overripe pineapple and plantains. Like “eat these right now” fruit on the edge of going bad. 

Finish: Lots of oak and vanilla. A touch of lime. More plantains, not quite as ripe. Something fermented, but I couldn’t say what. Gets more funk here.  

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Conclusion: I like it. Not too weird (from my perspective), but I know I’m not drinking whisky. Different enough to stand out. Would drink more of it.

Score: 83

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent rum worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.