Carrere Montebello Brut de fût (Batch 2) 2010

This Brut de Fut Batch 2 carries the Montebello name, the traditional Guadeloupe agricole brand made at the Carrere distillery from fresh sugar cane juice under the island's IGP. The 2010 vintage was aged ten years, first in ex-bourbon American oak and then in fortified-wine casks, and bottled at cask strength, 45.1%.

The two-stage maturation has built a spice-forward, structured profile on the cane base, the nose woody with a glue-like ester edge, citrus and licorice, the palate driven by licorice, wood, pepper and allspice, the finish staying woody, peppery and spicy. Unsweetened and assertive, it shows the firmer, more savoury side of aged Guadeloupe agricole rather than ripe sweetness. A characterful older rum for those who enjoy wood, spice and licorice, best sipped slowly at full proof or opened gently with a drop of water.