Longueteau Papillon Influence Ex Fûts Pedro Ximenez

Longueteau, the oldest family-owned agricole distillery still running in Guadeloupe, makes this Papillon from fresh-pressed sugar cane juice, aged three years and finished in ex Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. PX is among the sweetest of sherry styles, and on a grassy cane-juice base it pulls the spirit toward dark, raisined richness.

The cask dominates the profile: port, allspice and bitter orange on the nose, a palate of woody vanilla, wine and a clear sweetness, and a finish that lingers on orange. The PX leaves a real sweet-edged, winey character, so while no sugar is added the cask itself reads sweet, and it is fair to expect a richer, less austere agricole than a dry blanc. At a hefty 62.2 percent cask strength it carries that weight with intensity, a bold, sherry-soaked agricole for slow sipping with water to open the fruit.