El Distilado Overproof Oaxacan Rum Wild Fermented

El Distilado is better known for mezcal, and this Mexican overproof brings that wild fermented, terroir minded approach to rum made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice in the agricole style, though outside the French islands it cannot use the word. Bottled unaged at a robust 52.3%, it carries a turn in Calvados casks that gives it an unusual orchard fruit twist.

The spirit is fresh and savoury, with a nose of fresh cane, citrus and green vegetal notes and a palate that keeps the cane and citrus while the Calvados influence adds an apple brandy edge. Wild fermentation lends extra layers of spice, yeast and red fruit, and the finish carries a slight bitterness. It stands apart from the usual cane juice whites without quite matching the depth of Haitian clairin, a distinctive bottling for drinkers who enjoy unaged agricole style rum with an experimental streak.