Savanna HERRline 8 Year 2009

Review by: The Auditor

Review #1401; Rum #700

Here we have a very special bottling of rum. This Savanna High Ester Reunion rum is a single cask of rum from the Savanna distillery located on the island of Reunion, a part of the French overseas department. This rum was distilled from molasses on a small alembic pot still after a long fermentation time. It then aged for 8 years an ex-cognac cask before being bottled with no additives.

Distillery: Savanna

Bottler: Swell De Spirits

Region: Reunion Island

Still: Alembic

ABV: 60.8%

Nose: Pungent, Brine, Raspberry, Juicy Fruit Bubblegum, Figs, Floral, Star Anise

Palate: Thick Oily Mouthfeel, Raspberry, Juicy Fruit Bubblegum, Brine, Smarties, Minerality, Orange Peel, Dark Chocolate, Star Anise

Finish: Long Finish, Big Burst of Bubblegum, Raspberry, Orange Peel, Smarties, Dark Chocolate, Star Anise

Unaged HERR is my all time favorite rum and so it was fun to taste this with 8 year of ageing in an ex-cognac cask. Well, the HERR beat the cask into submission because this is still very vibrant an bright. That juicy fruit note still is front and center, baking spices, tropical fruits, a bit of dark chocolate. Its so good, however, I think the unaged is still better to me. But, this is such an interesting experience it feels unfair to judge it against its unaged base distillate. Overall, what a incredible bottling.

I did pick this to mark my 700th review, because everytime I hit another one of these hundred milestones it seems crazy to me. Getting real close to 1000 total reviews and its been a fun ride to write down my thoughts on rums and share them with the folks reading, who still surprise me that they read some nerds rambling around rum from the Midwest United States. All I know, is that the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made because of this has been the best reward and I am looking forward to the next 700 reviews. This can also count as my rumination for 1400 total reviews, since I did a few brandy reviews and missed the perfect 1400/700 by doing some non-rum reviews.

Final Score: 96

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky 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.

Published by The Auditor

Unknown's avatar

I have drank my fair amount of single malt but got started writing reviews about Single Malt and Bourbon in 2018. Over 1000 total reviews later and I focus mainly on Sugar Cane Spirits now. However, single malt is a still a spirits category I enjoy greatly as is Agave and Brandy. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself an expert but I am the resident Rum obsessed writer for Malt Runners.

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