Velier Karukera Flora Antillarum 2009

Velier Karukera Flora Antillarum 2009 is a twelve year old single cask from the Karukera estate in Guadeloupe, selected by the Genoese bottler Velier. Karukera, relaunched in 2002, is known for single-cane bottlings, and this cask-strength release from the 2009 vintage is bottled at full proof and unsweetened in Velier's tropically aged, additive-free style.

Distilled from fresh sugarcane juice on a column still and matured in ex-bourbon oak under Caribbean heat, it has grown into a powerful, layered rum. Mango and sugarcane meet vegetal and herbal notes on the nose, while the palate folds dark chocolate and vanilla into cinnamon and a green, vegetal grip, with a long, evolving woody finish. At 60.4% the strength is considerable, so a little water opens it up. This is a dry, characterful agricole for experienced drinkers who want intensity and herbal-woody depth rather than easy sweetness.