J. Bally Blanc

J. Bally Blanc is a Martinique rhum agricole distilled from fresh pressed sugar cane juice by a house whose estate roots reach back centuries on the island. Bottled unaged at a sturdy 55%, it is a classic island white, the rested blanc that forms the backbone of Martinique's cocktail tradition and a benchmark for the fresh, snappy agricole style.

Column distilled low to preserve the cane congeners, it leads with fresh sugarcane sap, ripe pineapple and tropical fruit, lifted by floral notes and finishing clean and grassy. Despite the strength the alcohol is well integrated, making it expressive rather than fierce, and it stays dry with no added sugar. Drinkers who favour Depaz at 55% will find this a close companion. It is at its best in a dry Ti' Punch, the true test of a blanc, though it sips happily enough on a warm evening too.