Habitation du Simon A1710 La Perle 2022

A1710 is the rum brand of Habitation du Simon on Martinique, and this La Perle is a white agricole made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice, bottled unaged at a full 54.5%. While not labelled under the protected AOC blanc tier here, it is a classic Martinique white in character, dry and intense, built for drinkers who want cane front and centre.

Distilled on a column run low to keep the green congeners, then rested rather than aged, it stays sharp and snappy. The nose is all fresh sugar cane, vegetal greenery, grass and citrus, the palate keeps the cane driven, vegetal profile going with grass and freshness, and the finish turns spicy and peppery over more sugar cane. There is a faint metallic note and some alcohol bite at this strength, but the focus and value are there, and it earns its place as a dry, intense ti' punch workhorse.