Issan White 2016

Issan White 2016 is a pure cane juice rum from Thailand, distilled on a pot still from fresh pressed sugarcane rather than molasses. Outside the French islands it cannot wear the agricole name, but the spirit sits in that family: grassy and vegetal, bottled unaged so the raw character of the cane comes through unfiltered by oak. At 40% it is a gentle white, and its appeal lies in personality rather than weight.

The nose leads with cut grass, floral notes and green olive, then a riper layer of tropical fruit, lychee and a savoury, almost brothy umami edge that sets it apart from a Caribbean blanc. The palate stays vegetal and earthy with sugarcane and white pepper, finishing peppery and citrus tinged before thinning out. This is a characterful mixer rather than a contemplative sipper, at its best in a Ti Punch or a grassy, citrus forward cocktail served cold.