Bielle 10 ans d’âge 2008

Bielle is a Marie-Galante distillery known for its cane juice rum, and this ten year old from the 2008 harvest is a classic, calm expression made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice and bottled unsweetened at a gentle 45%. It is the mature, easygoing face of the house, more depth than the young blancs without diving into high proof intensity.

Distilled on a column and matured in ex bourbon wood, it stays fresh and lifted rather than heavy. The nose runs licorice, sandalwood, vanilla and tropical fruit, the palate keeps an agricole freshness with fruit and dried fruit, and the finish turns woody and fresh with more vanilla. Tasters pick out orange marmalade and a minty coolness alongside light caramel, and the cane juice character is unmistakable from the pour. At 45% it sips comfortably neat or makes a refined ti' punch upgrade, a solid, classic agricole rather than a powerhouse.