Berling Vieux Labbé

Berling Vieux Labbe is an extra añejo from Madagascar, an island whose cane spirits often sit somewhere between an agricole freshness and a fuller molasses style. Given ten years and bottled at 43% from Ex-Bourbon casks, it reads as an everyday sipper with more going on than its gentle strength implies.

The nose opens cool and aromatic, menthol and floral notes wrapped around vanilla and older wood. The palate stays fresh and lightly spiced, with anise and a green, herbal edge that brings green walnut and licorice to mind. The finish is warm and gently drying, raisin and spice meeting a slightly bitter vanilla. There is a hint of a lighter, column driven character here, but the round, dried fruit aromatics keep it pleasant and approachable, a relaxed pour for anyone wanting to explore rum from beyond the usual Caribbean names.