Alma Distilleria Mater Rum Sugarcane Rum (Batch 2) 2024

Mater Rum is made by Alma Distilleria in Italy, working in the agricole style from fresh pressed sugar cane juice rather than molasses, though outside the French islands it cannot use the protected term. This second batch is a pot still spirit bottled unaged at 52.5%, drawing on a mix of yellow and purple cane that gives it a distinct identity among cane juice rums.

With no cask to lean on, everything rides on the distillate, and it leans savoury and herbal. Olive, lemon and fennel sit over fresh cut cane, with pear and a faint petrol note adding to the picture, and the palate stays peppery and green into a lightly tannic close. It reads like a fruitier, softer cousin to clairin or young agricole, comfortable neat for the curious and well suited to a Ti Punch where its briny, aniseed character can shine.