Héritiers Madkaud Saint James Blanc Cuvée Castelmore

Saint James, distilling on Martinique since 1765, supplies the spirit for this Cuvee Castelmore, an independent bottling by Heritiers Madkaud, a Martinique house whose releases stay close to the island and are not widely exported. Pressed from fresh sugar cane juice on a creole column still and bottled unsweetened at 50%, it is a classic AOC blanc presented at full island strength.

The nose is inviting and fruity, with fresh sugar cane, citrus and an agricole lift, and the palate keeps that cane core while adding lime, a green vegetal note and grass. Tasters describe it as round and almost fruity yet complex and dry, the 50% giving it presence without sharpness. The finish is firmly grassy and dry with sugar cane and citrus. A more traditional, terroir true take on the unaged French island white, and a natural for a Ti Punch.