Ferroni La Dame Jeanne 10

Ferroni is a French house in Provence known for cask-strength, unsweetened bottlings, and this La Dame Jeanne is an agricole-style rum from Mauritius made from fresh-pressed sugar-cane juice, distilled on a column still and bottled bold at 57%. Mauritius sits outside the Martinique AOC, so this is agricole in feedstock rather than a protected agricole.

The high proof drives the experience. The nose is inviting, floral and herbal with sweet sugar-cane juice, but the palate turns hard and intense, a spicy, black-pepper attack with a burning edge before a floral, pastry-like note arrives as the heat settles, closing on a mineral finish. This is a fierce, full-proof cane-juice rum that asks for a few drops of water to tame its bite and reveal the florals underneath. Dry and powerful rather than sweet, it suits drinkers who enjoy raw intensity, or a bold Ti Punch base.