Bielle Canne Grise

Bielle Canne Grise is an unaged cane juice rum from Marie-Galante, the small island off Guadeloupe where blancs are traditionally bottled at high strength. It cannot legally carry the word agricole, that term being reserved for Martinique and a few other French departments, but it is made in exactly that spirit: fresh pressed sugar cane juice fermented and distilled directly, off a column still at low strength to keep the cane character intact.

This is the fresh, snappy side of cane juice rum rather than anything sweet or wood aged. The nose is floral and green with sugarcane and citrus, the palate brings fresh cane, citrus fruit and a distinct saline minerality, and the finish is long, silky and faintly briny. At 59% it asks for a little comfort with strength, but that proof is part of the Marie-Galante character, not a flaw. It shines neat for those who want the full effect, and is a natural in a Ti Punch.