Depaz Rhum Vieux Agricole Plantation

Depaz makes its rhum agricole at the foot of Mont Pelee near Saint-Pierre in Martinique, on volcanic terroir, and this Rhum Vieux is a four year old aged in ex-bourbon oak and bottled unsweetened at 45%. As an AOC Martinique agricole it is distilled from fresh cane juice on a creole column, the only rum governed by a wine-style appellation.

Four years in oak gives a dry, spice-forward shape, with vanilla, citrus and light cocoa and marzipan over gentle wood, while the cane-juice base keeps a vegetal, floral lift underneath. Tropical ageing works faster than a cooler climate would, so even at this age the wood is well integrated, and with no added sugar the finish stays dry and a touch bitter. At a friendly strength and price it makes a versatile pick, good neat as an introduction to aged agricole or stretched into a vieux Ti Punch.