Carrere Montebello 3 Ans

Carrere Montebello 3 Ans is a young aged agricole from the Montebello distillery in Guadeloupe, run by the Marsolle family and made from fresh sugar-cane juice rather than molasses. Unusually for the range, which is mostly vintage-dated, this is a blend, given three years in ex-bourbon oak and bottled at an easygoing 42%.

The creole-column spirit keeps the cane character present while ex-bourbon ageing softens it into something rounder and sweeter in tone. The nose is aromatic and fruity, with caramel, cinnamon, vanilla and prunes, the palate turns peppery and grassy with licorice and a nutty edge, and the finish carries vanilla, roasted nuts and butterscotch. At 42% it is gentle and approachable, a well-made young agricole at a friendly price, fine sipped neat though still youthful, and equally at home alongside food.