HSE Cuvée de l’an 2018

HSE, Habitation Saint-Etienne, is a respected Martinique house working from fresh-pressed sugar-cane juice under the AOC. This Cuvee de l'an is an unaged blanc from the 2018 vintage, distilled on a Creole column, the still that keeps agricole grassy by running low to preserve cane congeners.

Bottled unsweetened at 50%, it shows the hallmark freshness and snap of a good agricole blanc. The nose is round with fresh sugarcane, citrus and a vegetal lift, the palate brings sugarcane, lime and white pepper, and the finish stays clean and peppery with a faint smoke. The higher strength is a feature here, giving the cane character extra drive. This is a clean, characterful white built for the canonical agricole serve, shining in a quality Ti' Punch or a simple long drink while still holding up neat.