Depaz Dillon – Bourbon Barrel

Depaz distils at the foot of Mont Pelee in the far north of Martinique, where volcanic soil shapes its fresh cane-juice rums. This Dillon Bourbon Barrel is a three year old aged in the AOC vieux tier, distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice rather than molasses, the French-island exception to the global rum default.

Worked through a single tall creole column in the house style, kept low to preserve grassy congeners, then matured in ex-bourbon casks, it picks up vanilla, coconut and a touch of maple from the wood while the cane stays present underneath. The palate runs to nutmeg, dark chocolate and sugarcane, finishing woody and dry. Unsweetened by AOC rule, it makes an honest sipper neat and an equally good base for a Ti Punch.