HSE Blanc Cuvée by CDM (Christian De Montaguère)

HSE, or Habitation Saint-Etienne, is a respected Martinique AOC house, and this Blanc Cuvee is a collaboration with the Paris retailer Christian De Montaguere. It is distilled on a creole column still, the single tall copper column that runs deliberately low to keep grassy cane congeners in the spirit, from fresh sugar-cane juice, and bottled unsweetened at a high 55%.

That strength amplifies everything. The nose is expressive and lively, fresh cane with fruity, vegetal and floral notes; the palate piles on citrus, orange, grapefruit and lemon, around a sugarcane core and bright florals; the finish stays vegetal, earthy and citrus-edged. This is blanc agricole turned up loud, and it shines brightest in a Ti Punch, where its vegetal, fruity intensity carries through lime and cane syrup. Drinkers who love the snap of a high-proof Martinique white will find plenty here.