Bielle Baltazia

Bielle's Baltazia is a white agricole from Marie-Galante, the Guadeloupe island where local custom favours bottling blancs at high proof. Pressed from fresh sugar-cane juice rather than molasses, it is all about the raw, unaged expression of the cane, the freshness and snap that define a good blanc.

Distilled on a creole column, run low to keep the green congeners intact, it stays vivid and aromatic: fresh sugar-cane and a floral, vegetal lift on the nose, then bright citrus and fresh stalk across the palate with a natural cane sweetness rather than any added sugar. The finish carries cane, citrus, allspice and a saline, iodine edge. At a full 59% it has the power and character to anchor a serious Ti' Punch yet drinks expressively neat, a punchy, characterful blanc for those who like their agricole bold.