First Impressions
Renegade is a relatively new distillery on Grenada, and its partnership with Habitation Velier signals serious intent. This 2020 expression is a cane juice rum aged for three years in a combination of French and American oak casks, bottled at a punchy 55%. It represents Grenada's entry into the world of artisanal, terroir-driven rum production.
Tasting
The nose is bold and characterful. Sugarcane leads with tropical fruit and French oak close behind. Herbs add an aromatic quality, vanilla softens things, and there's a distinctive mineral quality that reflects Grenada's volcanic soil. Once given a little air, the nose opens up further, revealing layers of fruit and spice.
The palate is bold and assertive. Raw sugarcane provides the foundation, tropical fruit adds sweetness, and the interplay between French and American oak creates an interesting dynamic — the French oak contributing structure and spice, the American adding vanilla and sweetness. Herbal complexity weaves through the mid-palate, and the texture is muscular and assertive. At 55%, it demands attention.
The finish is medium-long with oak, herbs, sugarcane, and a spiced Grenadian close.
The Bottom Line
At £89.95, Renegade 2020 is a fascinating glimpse at Grenada's rum-making potential. At only three years old, there's clearly more to come from this distillery, but the quality of the distillate and the Velier endorsement suggest great things ahead. A rum for the forward-thinking collector.
