Baie des Trésors VO – Karakoli 2019

Baie des Tresors is a Martinique label working with fresh pressed sugar cane, and this Karakoli is a four year old vieux from a 2019 vintage, distilled on a creole column and bottled unsweetened at 52%. The extra proof gives it more grip than an entry level agricole while keeping things balanced.

Matured in ex bourbon oak, it offers fresh sugar cane and vanilla on the nose, moving into dried fruit, hazelnut and a clean, lightly smoky wood on the palate. The finish stays dry and vegetal with a minty, cane edge. There is real character and a bit more spice and fruit here than the age suggests, without ever tipping into harshness or heavy funk. It is a well made, dry agricole that punches above its modest price, rewarding for drinkers who like clean, woody cane juice rum.