Bows HEOC 2019

Bows HEOC 2019 is a distillery release from Bows in France, a molasses-based rum distilled in 2019 and run off a column still. Bottled unsweetened and at a substantial 57%, it is presented in a dry, natural style that lets the distillate lead, a young, characterful French rum carrying its fruit at full volume rather than rounding it off with sugar.

Despite the column distillation, the aromatics are lively and estery, fruity and citrus-driven with a savoury olive note that hints at a brighter, higher-toned profile. The palate piles on ripe fruit, mango, banana and blackberry, and the finish stays tropical. At 57% the strength gives the fruit weight and grip, an unsweetened, fruit-forward pour that rewards a drop of water and shows what a French distillery can coax from molasses without leaning on dosage or long wood.