Damoiseau 12 ans d’âge

Damoiseau 12 ans d'age is an aged agricole from Damoiseau, the largest distillery in Guadeloupe and one of the island's big export names, made from fresh sugar-cane juice rather than molasses. Twelve years in ex-bourbon oak and an unsweetened bottling make this a relaxed, oak-driven take on Guadeloupe cane juice, held at a gentle 42%.

Tropical ageing pushes steady oak extraction, here showing as a nose of almond, fruit and a faint medicinal, coppery note, a woody, floral palate with a fruit-schnapps lift, and a finish of wood, roasted notes and syrupy fruit. The profile is balanced and dry in the agricole manner, with orange, nuts, vanilla and light spice. At 42% it sits on the lighter side, an approachable everyday aged agricole, though some drinkers will wish for a higher strength to carry more depth.