Liberté White Rum, 37.5%, Réunion.

I thought Liberté was a yoghurt brand with TV adverts from a few years ago?

Yet here in my local Lidl was a simple & sparsely labelled bottle of white rum bearing the same name.

Liberté Rum c/othewhiskeynut

Liberté is a nod to the French connection that still exists on the tiny island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean.

There are 3 rum distilleries operating on Rèunion; Isautier, Rivière Du Mât & Savanna – take your pick as to the source.

I like it neat myself. c/othewhiskeynut

A clear colourless rum with distinctively fat oily legs.

A very soft mild & mellow nose didn’t give much away – but there was a suggestion of overripe fruits glimpsing through.

Extremely easy on the palate – slightly oily mouthfeel with a gently warming heat.

Letting it linger gradually opens up those funky fruit flavours – not overpowering – just pleasantly attractive – followed by a touch of tingling spice adding some flair to this endearing rum.

The 300 year history of rum distilling on Réunion is quietly imprinted on this charmingly beguiling Liberté White Rum.

Ship ahoy! c/othewhiskeynut

It floats my boat!

Slàinte

 

Riviére Saint-Jean, Rhum Vieux, 6 Ans,40%

Ooh la la!

I gotta hand it to Lidl for expanding my spirit drinking range.

This bottle of rum from Réunion – hence the French connection – emanates  from the Indian Ocean via a Parisienne suburb.

Fantastique! c/othewhiskeynut

There is no Riviére Saint-Jean distillery on the island – but a Riviére du Mat distillery founded in 1886 – appears to be the source of this offering.

There’s also a ‘Saga du Rhum‘ museum on Réunion to further explore the rich history of distillation – including the sorry tale of sugar, slavery and colonial exploitation. Hopefully those days are long gone. Meanwhile – the rum is still here to enjoy.

A deep ruby brown colour greets you – followed by an attractive oaky tannic nose on a dark molassey underbelly.

The palate was quite delicious.

The smooth warming sweetness morphed into a gorgeously drying spicy explosion. Very reminiscent of some rye whiskeys I enjoy.

Not had a rum like this before!

I’m feeling Riviére Saint-Jean accentuates the cask influence with it’s 6 years in wood.

C’est bon – c’est trés bon.

Santé