Karukera L’Expression – 45 2019

Karukera L'Expression 45 2019 is a young agricole from the Karukera estate on Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe. At barely over a year in oak it is closer to a lightly aged rum than a true vieux, an easy, approachable expression of the house style.

Distilled from fresh pressed cane juice on a creole column kept low for grassy character, then briefly matured in ex bourbon oak, it stays soft and accessible. The nose offers sugarcane, wood, citrus and coffee, the palate vanilla, chocolate and spice over wood, and the finish brings pepper, sugarcane and citrus. At 45 percent it drinks smoothly and a touch sweet in style, the cane juice fruit framed by gentle oak and roasted notes, a friendly stepping stone into aged Guadeloupe agricole that also works comfortably in cocktails.