Aroma visualization from community tastings
Velier Papalin Réunion 2023
Strawberry, glue and toasted oak lead here, with honey and a herbal, grassy edge underneath — the Grand Arôme part of this Réunion blend shows up mostly on the nose and finish. Most tasters find the 50% remarkably well-integrated, drinking softer than the number suggests. The recurring gripe: it can feel a touch light on depth, more pleasant than deep.
The community says- Well-integrated 50%
- Strawberry and honey
- But: Lacks depth
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The look inside the bottle
How does Velier Papalin Réunion 2023 taste?
Aggregated from 156 community reviews.
Fruity, well-integrated Réunion blend, slightly light Widely liked as an easy, well-priced way into Réunion's Savanna style. The strawberry-and-glue nose charms; several feel the palate turns woody and grassy without quite matching it.
People wanting an easy entry into Réunion's Savanna Grand Arôme style
Those chasing maximum depth and punch
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
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65 of 156 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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How is Velier Papalin Réunion 2023 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.2 sits in the “Very good” band. 96% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 0% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
74% rate it 8 or higher. 48 selected write-ups from 156 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by Paul Christiaens
Verdict: lovely blend of grand arome and traditional, with serious cask aging but beautifully balanced. There are quite some woody, earthy, spicy characteristics, but enough room for fruit, mainly pineapple and orange (with some dried fruit in the finish). Nose: initially rather roasted, oaky and one spice, but gradually more fruit: a combination of pineapple, orange zest, bergamot. Also some chocolate, toffee, tobacco. Palate: friendly and lighter than the nose suggests. There is more citrus (orange, grapefruit), still also pineapple. The roasted side is mellowed, bringing mainly cedar wood, clove, pure cinnamon, chocolate, dark sugar. The earthy side of tobacco is hardly present. Finish: rather long, lingering and soft, with just the right amount of spice. Ginger bread, baking spices, cedar wood, burnt sugar, date, orange marmalade, tobacco and just a hint of ester.
Review by Rodolphe
Most helpful positive review
I wasn't a fan of the Papalin range until now. But La Velier has come up with a very good Reunionese at a nice price. It's a perfect representation of the rhums trad found there, with the fruity side of the grand aroma, present but not overpowering. It drinks well, is pleasant, vegetal, floral, woody and fruity. A great success. In the end, it's what I expected from savanna's Le Must, which doesn't emphasize the fruitiness of the grand arôme enough. This is the case here.
Review by Leo Krüper
Most helpful mixed review
Super price for a solid molasses from Reunion. Still smells a little musty but the rum opens up very nicely on the palate. 83/100 Second tasting: Nose again strawberry, marshmellow. On the palate again this musty cellar note. Blindly I can only rate this rum 78/100.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Really delicious Grand Arome/traditional mix from savanna here with a surprisingly high proportion of grand arome flavor. Very aromatic, round and delicious. Very pleasantly surprised by this grand arome! At the 2nd tasting slight point deductions because the herbal flavors of the traditionel portion predominate overall.
Review by Gunnar Böhme "Bauerngaumen" 🤓
Blind tasting, therefore sensibly without the usual photo. Nice warm nose (Guyana?), but a fleeting first impression of gummy bears - that's it! Tip: The first impression is often the right one. Resolution: RX17322 (I wouldn't have guessed that it was a blend of rums from four different distilleries on La Réunion; I would have guessed a young Savanna traditionnel).
Review by zabo
For the price, another nice Papalin. However, this one is more on the woody and spicy side. It lacks a little fruitiness, which is unfortunately too much in the background. You can drink it once in a while, but I wouldn't need a bottle of it right now.
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#3856 12.10.2024 Romhatten Velier tasting. Had a nice afternoon with Danish rum friends at a Velier tasting. Nose Fresh, faint wood, light vinegar, light chocolate, overripe, fruits, light mango, light dried fruit. Palate Faint wood, oily, dried fruit, light sour, overripe, minerals, light coconut, light mango. Finish Medium to long, oily, light pear, light roasted, light chocolate, faint minerals, lightly salty. This is a pretty good release and the price to quality is really good in my mind.
Review by cigares
A complex nose, not really typical of agricultural rums. With paprika, young wood, dried herbs and gooseberry. The palate is soft and dry herbal aromas develop with cedar wood and hard-to-define fruit. The finish is long on cedar and dried herbs. A darker side when the glass is empty, with light tar and old wood. A very fine rum, complex and evolving!
Review by Serge
Beautiful Réunion rum with a high Grand Arôme content and lots of strawberry, overripe fruit with wood, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and spice. Really very good for the price. I had actually expected it to be stronger in the direction of a normal traditional rum.
Review by SaibotZtar
Floral, somewhat woody nose with spices, caramel and light esters. Initially restrained on the palate, with strawberries, sugar cane, some cinnamon and bitter notes coming through. Alcohol is moderately integrated. Good rum without surprises.
Review by DomM
Interesting and vibrant on the nose with quite some power and a mix of fruits and spices. Very nice. A little less vibrant on the palate. However, still interesting and complex on the palate. Focus is more on woody notes and spices from the cask with fruits taking a step back. This is very good value for money imo.
Review by Eric Frechin
Première dégustation d un sample qui me plaît bien. Le nez porté par les fruits avec quelques résidus de solvant et du boisé plutôt soft , une odeur intéressante de fraise. En bouche c est facile, mielleux, une belle homogénéité autour du fruité, léger boisé et une approche végétale. J aime aussi la finale qui me rappelle la violette et que je retrouve dans des savanna tradition. RQP plus que bien!
Review by Fred Tillac
A blend of Savanna molasses rums from Reunion (10, 12 and 15 years) and an 11-year Grand Arôme, aged on site in French oak barrels. It smells of chocolate, vinegar and ripe tropical fruit. The palate is woody and mineral, with good length.
Review by Michael Schillheim
Seit der ersten Nase vor 20 Minuten bin ich mir nicht sicher, was ich von dieser Abfüllung halten soll. Der erste Eindruck ist irgendwas zwischen altem, nassem Leder und missglücktem Versuch im Chemielabor. Am Gaumen dann fruchtige Kaugumminoten, holzig, Leder, Zimt, aber eher als scharfes Gewürz. Weiterhin leicht chemisch. Im Nachklang Leder, leicht brennend und ein pelziges Mundgefühl. Interessante Abfüllung, aber nichts, was ich als Flasche brauche.
Review by Boletus
EIn schön gemachter und runder Blend, bei dem der Anteil an Grand Arôme einen angenehmen und fruchtigen Beitrag inklusive einer zurückhaltenden Olivennote leistet, ohne esterempfindliche Gaumen zu überfordern. Ein entspannter Trinkgenuss aus Réunion, der mir richtig gut gefällt!
Review by Dr.Django
Von der Nase bis zum Abgang dominieren hier florale, pflanzliche, Muskat und vor allem Aromen heller Früchte den Rum. Etwas bitter/grasig, ganz besonders im Abgang, was mich allerdongs nicht sonderlich stört.
Review by Thunderbird
I'm a bit ambivalent.... On the one hand, I like its lightness, but on the other hand, it lacks some complexity. Certainly a good rum from Papalin... which doesn't need to shy away from comparison with some much more expensive Savannas... but it doesn't really convince me. The aromas are not present enough for that. I'll give it a second chance in the next few days
Review by Mirco
Coole Abfüllung. Bereits in der Nase Grand Arome Savanna. Leider zieht der Geschmack der Nase nicht zum Mund weiter. Wirkt etwas kantig und holzig. Abgang dann wieder etwas runder. Insgesammt ein solider Rum mit gutem PLV.
Review by Jarek
Lecker. An der Nase sehr fruchtig. Am Gaumen und im Abgang übernehmen eher die würzigen und holzigen Noten, aber die Fruchtnoten komplett zu verdrängen. Ich habe keine Ahnung woraus der Blend genau besteht, aber es würde mich nicht wundern wenn auch etwas HERR dabei wäre. Irgendwo im Hintergrund schleicht eine Erdbeernote mit…
Review by LukaŽiga
8,3:On the nose, medicinal notes like glue, esters, oak, roasted wood notes, sweet, flowery molasses with honey and fermented, almost rotten, pungent tropical fruits, strawberries, vegetal notes, bump into our nosetrils. On aeration, roastedness is strong with smokiness, leather, cinammon arises, some citrus fruits. 8,2:On the palate, the attack is strong, pungent with overripe, fermented red and citrus fruits, hints if sugarcane, honey, vegetal molasses that on oxidation goes grassy, herbaceous, flowery, even dark with black tea, the wood is roasted/toasted, sweet with pastry, caramel, leather, spicy with cinnamon, nutmeg, salty. 8,3:The finish is long, furry and tannic, with tons of fermented fruits, vegetal notes, smoky and spicy roasted wood, grassy and sweet molasses with honey.
Review by Michael Schou
04-04-2025 -Rate 7.7 Easy drinkable reunion rum. Nice nose. Frites and barries. Easy to drink. Good integrated. 23-01-2026 - Rate 6.9 Forms an extra sample of this one in the back. Must admit I have changed by view a bit. It has a blend like quality. Not as single cask Savanna. Would call this a Plesner rum but not a good rum.
Review by Filip Šikula
Můj oblíbený žlutý papalin je zřejmě poražen. Tohle je za tu cenu prostě bomba. Už na nose jw to příjemně ovocný. Trocha lepidla a trávy. Trocha jamaikový štiplavosti a totéž se objeví v chuti. Perfektně integrovamý abv. Paráda.
Review by Johannes
Müsste ein Grand Arome sein. Gefällt mir sehr gut!
Review by Banana Joe
My first Papalin and also my first rum from Reunion. What can I say, exciting. The aroma is balanced between fruit and spice, but I've never had strawberry like this before. I like it. On the palate, the spiciness is clearly in the foreground, lots of allspice. Fermented strawberry and tannins again on the finish. I can't say whether this is typical of Reunion, but I definitely like it. Definitely worth getting yourself a bottle.
Review by Bavarian Rum Lover
Too bad I had hoped for more from Papalin La Réunion. As noted in another review, the bottling feels like a Savanna light. The base with well-integrated alcohol is there, but unfortunately the rum lacks the expressiveness and independence to lift it to higher regions. As I have liked and enjoyed all Papalins to date, I had high hopes for this bottling. Thank goodness I had taken part in a sample sharing (thanks again!), my buying reflex has been curbed again...
Review by Mentalo
Ice candy, menthol, strawberry, honey, some wood and herbal notes. Has a pleasant sweetness. However, it lacks depth and the finish seems a little thin. Nevertheless, a successful bottling that can provide a good introduction to the Savanna distillery.
Review by Timo Groeger
Ein sehr guter Rum. Hat in der Nase und im Gaumen ebenfalls eine leicht fruchtige Note, driftet aber gleichzeitig in die Süsse ab und man kann Karamell und Honig rausschmecken. Insgesamt aber sehr ausgewogen, finde nur den Alkohol nicht so gut eingearbeitet.
Review by Nivius
On the one hand, I am enthusiastic about this rum, but I was expecting something different - unfortunately I have not yet been able to try the "good" grand aromas from Savanna. This one tastes like a mixture of Herr, LeMust and wood. What I miss with this rum is depth - it tastes like there's a lot of flavor that just doesn't come out. The Hubbabubba Herr aroma is omnipresent, but much weaker than in the unaged Velier bottling - otherwise it would also be overkill. It also has a lot of bitter, astringent wood notes. Definitely enjoyable and is particularly good in drinks - in addition to the astringent bitterness, the artificially alcoholic, sweet chewing gum aroma remains in the finish.
Review by Johnny Rumcask
Kräuter dominieren Mund und Nase, Alkohol könnte besser eingebunden sein. Für mich kein besonders spannender Rum, da mir das kräutrige Profil nicht zusagt und außer Kräutern ist da eben nicht viel, etwas Vanille hinten raus vom Fass, das war es dann auch schon.
Review by Jakob
On the nose, gentle but recognizable associations with the Grand Arômes from Reunion. Notes of fermented fruit on the palate, demanding, intense. Spices, wood, leather, subtle salty licorice and vegetal hints of tea and mint. Aromatically complex, beautiful depth, tart and bitter with intense, heavy fruitiness.
Review by TheRhumhoe
Blend de l’île de la Réunion, ce Papalin est polyvalent et accessible. Le nez présente le style grand arôme de ses aînés avec la fraise, assez dominante, mais aussi les notes florales et médicinales (colle) qui donnent ce côté chimique aux narines. On a un beau boisé toasté qui part vers un côté plus mielleux, plus caramélisé et qui vient adoucir le tout. Les épices (piment, vanille) équilibrent les débats avec leur puissance. Un rhum sympathique, pas le plus complexe mais varié et agréable. L’attaque en bouche est un poil plus agressive, plus mordante sur les épices, les notes rôties et le cuir. Les fruits supportent le profil avec la fraise et les fruits tropicaux. La bouche s’étaye de muscade et d’herbes aromatiques, puis de saveurs plus douces qui arrivent par la suite (caramel, miel). On retrouve l’ADN d’un Savanna traditionnel, équilibré et assez complet. L’alcool est un peu perceptible mais fait le dos rond avec les arômes. La finale est très sèche, tannique avec le fût et fait parler l’espresso, les herbes et les fruits rouges (fraise, baies). On retrouve le profil en bouche en plus grillé, plus sec et peut-être un peu plus affirmé. Un bon rhum pour ceux qui veulent découvrir les rhums de Savanna plus lourds de façon abordable tant pour le prix que la qualité globale.
Review by TheJackDrop
Notes taken at Rhum Fest 2024, Quick notes and a bit heavy palate, sorry :) What we have here: a truly typical Reunion style A rum: very fine, with fruit, cask and beeswax. Finish: long, greedy A real pleasure, 2 friends left with the bottle under their elbow!
Review by Richard Krupa
Porad u me vede modry papalin. Prvni dousek se mi zdal dost plochy, ale pote se vune krasne rozvine. Povedeny jemny vzorek
Review by Jonas
Beautiful rum! Best Papalin so far. The Grand Arome part comes out well and there are smoky strawberries ala Savanna. Considering the price, an absolute bargain in the Savanna universe. I would only wish for 5% more ABV.
Review by Schnubbii
Schöner runder, unkomplizierter Sipper mit dem klassischen Savanna Aromenprofil.
Review by Martin Augustin
Guter und preiswerter Grand Arome. Sehr fruchtiges Bouquet.
Review by itay
Not a bad rum, i just don't like it. Weird taste, that makes it interesting on the one hand, but not drinkable enough on the other hand. Would recommend to try before buying a bottle.
Review by Stefan L
- Got myself a bottle of this one.
Review by F.L.O.
Savanna light sends its regards! Very well integrated alcohol, slightly spicy, honey touch and some wood. For whom some "unshared" was too strong may find a better approach here. But it doesn't need to be more than a sample.
Review by Dávid Kempl
Silky and very smooth and round Bubble gum and glue raisin cherry Honey Herbal Short to medium finish with lasting alcohol A bit methol aftertaste
Review by Stijn Zino
Brussels Rhum Festival 15/03/2025 One of the more interesting rums at the Hampden table. Can't go wrong with the Papalin series. This one really evolves. Successful blend.
Review by Buddudharma
Schöner Blend mit überraschend starkem Grand Arome - Einschlag. Etwas mehr Punch hätte nicht geschadet, dennoch sehr gelungen.
Review by kondgab
Chocolate, mango, strawberry.
Review by Gil Firth
בקבוק הוצאה טובה מאוד, תוספת לסדרת הבלנדים "פאפאלין" מוולייר. אחרי שיצא מגמייקה. מהאיטי. עכשיו גם ראוניון. פרופיל מעניין. שילוב של חמיצות של פירות חמוצים, הדרים וסוכריות. קצת עשב. מתיקות. קצת פוליש/לכה. בלנד של רום מולסה מסורתי בן 10 רום גראנד ארום 11 רום מולסה בן 12 רום מולסה בן 15 סאבאנה, איסואטיור או איך שלא מעברתים את זה ומסתבר שיש גם עוד מזקקות😵💫. כמה מזקקות יכולות להיות על כל אי כזה שזה מגיע לרום. מומלץ.
Review by Joel Segerstav
Overall interesting and tasty, was a bit sharper than expected(could be one of those days). The Grand Arome shines mostly in the nose and finish and is a bit shy in the taste. Will pour another and let air for longer than my first pour. I experience that it gets better and better as it was aired. The taste felt at first mostly woody and grassy where sweeter elements was in the background but got more room with time. I feel that the taste could have been fuller, nevertheless worthy of a place by the other Papalins. Edit: more balanced after 30+ minutes of airing, sweet notes in taste more pronounced.
Review by Александр Иванов
Nose: medium intensity. Dry fruits, wax, camphor, old wood, little bit of spices & medicine, glue, esters. Really round & cpmplex. Taste: round, tasty, lot of pineapple, ripe pears, melon, some rubber, glue & medicine. Complex. Aftertaste: Long & juicy. Really good.
Review by Leslie Haigh
I like this rum very smooth 50% easy to drink A blend of 4 rums 10 to 15 years old very easy to drink I shared with family and they nearly killed the bottle highly recommended
Review by Yann
Nez discret dans un premier temps qui s’exprime après de l’aération. La bouche est ronde , fruité presque sucrée ,rondeur, de noix de coco grillée, un peu de bois et des épices qui titillent la langue . La finale est moyenne mais amère j’en suis moins fan .
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Expert reviews
2 critics scored it, averaging 8.3/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by Rum nagykövet
Read full review →
Expert review by The Dunder Hut
Fresh cooked strawberry jam next to open olives and a tub of iodine. A really smart blend and a good portrait of reunion. I really like how this is the same aroma from start to finish. Super nice value
Live auctions
Current bids for this rum at Europe's leading auction houses.
Market value
What this bottle last achieved at auction. A research indicator, not a forecast.
Auction results 26 € – 107 €
from 7 sales, latest 09/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 90 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about Velier Papalin Réunion 2023
A rum from Reunion, bottled by Velier, at 50%.
Community purchases
175 bottles logged by 154 collectors.
A drinker & collector.
26% opened, 13 emptied and repurchased.
What does Velier Papalin Réunion 2023 cost?
Community paid 60–95 €.
Current best price: 79.50 € – within the typical community range.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
175 purchased · 160 tasted · 82 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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