Overview of La Favorite rums

Cross-tasting of rums from the La Favorite distillery; time to rummage through the cupboards to find a few little things to taste, and a few minutes later, here we are… 5 expressions of La Favorite, in addition to the  Cuvée Privilège already mentioned some time ago, and the Arbre du Voyageur , note published more than 2 years ago on this site.

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Cœur de Rhum

40°, and 4 years of aging in oak barrels.
What better way to start than there?

Beautiful amber/old gold color for a round and fruity nose , where fresh cane, exotic fruits (mango), fig and cinnamon mingle. The more time passes, the more the rum takes on this LF touch that we find throughout the range, a sort of gourmet elegance: candied black fruit, prunes, black cherry, all vanilla, chocolate, punctuated with dried fruits. On the palate, the attack is very soft and simple, on the fruity, candied then dry, the cane, before a ballet of hot and peppery spices, and slightly grilled tannins; the liquorice holds a nice place here. The finish continues this woody/spicy and fruity mouth and leaves a slight bitterness at the end of the mouth.

An entry-level old rum that does its job properly and gives a foretaste of the rest, an appetizer before the main course. The attack is quite simple but the nose alone is worth the detour. A feminine and delicate rum. Note: 76

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Réserve du Château 2000

43° and aged 14 years (there is also a 2002 vintage of 12 years), this is the new selection of the cellar master released several months ago. Two variants and a price that seems to have literally exploded.

Deep amber color for a rum that appears fat in the glass; the nose is still marked by candied fruit and dried fruits but this time supported by intense roasted and grilled notes of precious wood. We are clearly less on the elegance and roundness of the other aged rums of La Favorite, it is drier and spicy, on spices and especially oak. The mouth is smooth and ample, lively, on candied fruit, then spices for a power that gradually increases in intensity (white pepper, liquorice) and again this oak decidedly very present. The finish is moderately long, still on spices and tannins (bitterness), with a timid return of fruits at the end.

Another facet of La Favorite, more woody and virile, empyreumatic, which takes over the candied fruit so greedy, perhaps even too much? The barrel takes over the whole, but the power is there. Note: 78

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La Tour de l’Or

Vintage 2002, bottled in 2010 and therefore younger (8 years) than the château reserve but with the wonderful idea of ​​having been bottled at 54.4°; a selection of Chantal Comte. The price may seem expensive for an 8 year old, but let's not forget that it is a cask strength and for that alone, the question of a purchase is at least worth asking.

With an amber/old gold color, very bright and proud, the rum has a very elegant nose : the incidence of the bourbon barrel is notable, the vanilla is there, as is the black fruit candied in honey, which gains ground and reminds us that we are indeed facing a rum from La Favorite. Note a very pleasant freshness (lemon zest), floral notes (orange blossom) and a cane still full of sugar, ripened to perfection, and chocolate for a very nice balance. The mouth is smooth, concentrated, lively and striking; we are on sweet/tangy thanks to the cane/zest duo, on a slight bitterness/astringency (green leaves), vanilla and spices for a magnificent mouth, perfectly dosed, warm and full. The finish is long and intense, always concentrated, on spices and liquorice. The empty glass smells of orange blossom (Mexican orange tree), sublime.

A rum from La Favorite in cask strength, tasty and intense. The nose is full of promise, all in finesse, and the mouth does not disappoint, quite the contrary, it is even well beyond expectations. Note: 87

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Cuvée 1990

A vintage rum from La Favorite, dating from 1990, bottled at around 6, 7 years old. 40°

Color: a beautiful amber and a beautiful shiny dress, oily in appearance with thick legs that fall back at a brisk pace. On the nose, we are in a deliciously fruity register, on the candied, with prune and this black cherry that I find so characteristic of La Favorite rums, as if it were obvious. We also find vanilla, chocolate and cane full of sugar. We imagine a cane field dotted with exotic fruit trees, with a notable vegetal touch and fresh mint but all always flattered by the fruits, and a woody (oak and liquorice) present but controlled. On the palate, the attack is soft and silky, on the candied, the woody (licorice), the cane, in a certain elegance, with always this mint that refreshes us and a mineral side (iodized) that works rather well in the mouth. The spices warm the mouth, and become slightly spicy, the oak asserts itself a little more. Half-tone finish, not very long but always with style and that little salty taste that brings out each aroma a little more, the spices, and the woodiness, perhaps a bit too present at this moment.

Very nice rum, characteristic of La Favorite with that little something old that adds magic to the tasting. Note: 83

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Mini des 80’s ?

A simple macaron mentioning a Gold Medal in 1978, the mignonette could date from the 80s, 90s. 45° on the clock, full of promise!

color: beautiful amber and bright color, medium thick and nonchalant tears. On the nose we are on the exoticism and ripe fruits, mango and pineapple. It is spicy (cinnamon) and rather gourmand and pastry (marzipan, chocolate) with a woody note that takes a little more space with rest. We do not find this LF brand and its black candied fruits, we are here on a more classic register. On the palate, the attack is soft, rather simple, with fruit and quickly woody (licorice, oak), and spices (cinnamon, ginger, pepper); add to that a refreshing side (mint) very pleasant. The finish of the mouth directs us towards these same woody and spicy notes, in an assumed simplicity and a slight bitterness (fresh tobacco leaf), of an average length, beautiful persistence in the mouth.

the 'heart of rum' of the time? Perhaps... less seductive than the current 'old rum' of the distillery, a more raw and virile version. Note: 75

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You will have noticed that there is some white rum and a few other bottlings missing from this page, but that is only a postponement, the time for me to obtain them in sufficient quantity to be able to talk about them more properly.

The Coeur de Rhum, a flagship product in old vintage, already gives a good idea of ​​what La Favorite can offer, and the rest will finish convincing you. The Réserve du Château (in any case the 2000 vintage) does not convince the masses, dominated by the barrel and lacking balance, perhaps the 2002 vintage is better… The 'hors d'âge' are true to themselves and pass for nectars that will satisfy lovers of soft, round, gourmet and… sweet rums. Let us note the tour de force of Chantal Comte with La Tour de l'Or, the most authentic expression with its natural degree, a jewel to pamper and savor.

To help you (and me) find your way around, regarding the notes:

90 and + : exceptional and unique rum, it is the best of the best
between 85 and 89 : highly recommended rum, with that little something that makes the difference
between 80 and 84 : recommendable rum
75-79 POINTS : above average
70-74 POINTS : in the low average
less than 70 : not very good

Review courtesy of DuRhum.com.

From the folks behind DuRhum, Velier, and more, comes a premium online marketplace for rum enthusiasts by rum enthusiasts! Do check out www.rowspirits.fr for more great content and iconic rums!