On the 17th day of Christmas we dived into the Indian Ocean but we emerged onto the shores of the European Union, or rather, we emerged onto the shores of France. There was waiting for us on Reunion Island, a Rivière Du Mât Grande Réserve Rhum 40%, blend of molasses rhum, that was aged minimum for 6 years.
APPEARANCE
Rivière Du Mât Grande Réserve is clear in the glass with medium intensity and wonderful color that goes from gold to amber.
NOSE
The nose is clean without any unwanted outdoors. Intensity is medium and the first thing that comes is the aroma of molasses followed by baking spices and orange. In the background some floral notes also, mostly hibiscus.
PALATE
Quite dry on the palate, fruity and spicy with lots of herbaceous aroma mixed with light oak flavor. Finish is long and very complex. It goes from pepper at the beginning all over the orange, ginger and caramel till a hint of smoke mixed with honey at the end.
CONCLUSION
The closer we get to Christmas, the better the rums get and the more they surprise us with their complexity. This one belongs also to outstanding spirits.
HACHEZ DARK CHOCOLATE 77%
There were some doubts when Rivière Du Mât Grande Réserve Rhum released its aroma from the glass, because on the nose it is quite floral with a nice amount of flower aroma, but on the palate all doubts were gone. All of these baking spices, spicy ginger together with Hachez Dark Chocolate with 77% cocoa are creating a chocolate cake in the mouth, perfect for these festive times.