Barbancourt Haitian Proof Rhum Blanc

Barbancourt is Haiti's most famous rum house, and this Haitian Proof blanc is its raw, unaged cane-juice spirit, made from fresh-pressed sugar cane rather than molasses. It cannot use the protected word agricole, but in feedstock and spirit it belongs squarely to that family, here shown loud and unpolished.

The nose is vegetal and floral with fresh sugarcane, green pepper and an unusual creamy, dairy-like note that nods toward Haitian funk. The palate stays vegetal and floral, cane-driven with a metallic edge, and the finish runs pungent, mineral and sugarcane-laden. Bottled at 55% with the character left intact, this is a baby clairin in feel, more of a characterful mixer than a refined sipper, though it holds up neat for those who like their white rum raw and lively.