Damoiseau Rhum Vieux Agricole 10 Ans 2001

Damoiseau is the largest distillery in Guadeloupe and a familiar export name, and this 2001 vintage shows the wood forward side of aged agricole. Distilled from fresh cane juice on the column still, it spent a full decade in ex-bourbon casks, enough oak time to push the spirit toward roasted, nutty territory.

The nose is floral and woody with vanilla and a touch of dried fruit, while the palate turns nutty and roasted with the typical sugarcane character sitting further back than it does in younger bottlings. The finish is medium and fresh, woody with a nutty echo. At 42% this is a soft, approachable pour rather than a powerhouse, and it earns its keep as a sensibly priced way into mature agricole for anyone who likes oak influenced cane juice without overwhelming intensity.