CDI Barbancourt 2004

Barbancourt is Haiti's most famous distillery, made from sugar cane honey, a concentrated cane syrup, in a refined, Cognac influenced double distillation rather than the rustic clairin tradition. This eleven year old from the 2004 vintage is a single cask bottled by Compagnie des Indes, the French house known for terroir led, broad origin releases, and it comes unsweetened at a gentle 43%.

Distilled on a column still and matured in ex bourbon wood, it shows the soft, elegant side of Haitian rum rather than wild funk. The nose is floral and discreet with melon, hay and a minty lift, the palate turns to apricot, peach, melon and black tea, and the finish carries cocoa, herbs and more melon. Rounded and harmonious, it makes the case that a well chosen reduced proof rum can read more complete than a fiery cask strength one.