Habitation du Simon A1710 La Perle Rare Canne B 59-92 2021

A1710, based at Habitation du Simon in Martinique, makes characterful cane-juice rums outside the AOC framework, often built around specific cane varieties and parcels. This La Perle Rare bottling, drawn from cane block B 59-92 and vintaged 2021, is made from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice rather than molasses and bottled unaged at full strength.

The column still runs low to keep the green, aromatic congeners in the spirit, and the result is a vivid, savoury blanc: citrus, white pepper and flowers on the nose, then a palate of pepper, vegetal notes, green olive and lemon peel, all the briny, herbaceous hallmarks of a serious cane-juice white. At 54.1% it is balanced and acidic rather than hot, and needs no addition. There is no added sugar. This is a snappy, terroir-driven blanc for a Ti Punch or for sipping when the saline, peppery side of agricole is the point.