La Favorite Millésime 2017

La Favorite is one of the last family run distilleries in Martinique, and this 2017 millesime works squarely within the island's rum AOC, the world's only one, which permits fresh pressed cane juice and forbids added sugar. Six years of tropical ageing put it at the XO end of the scale, where the Caribbean climate pushes maturity faster than the calendar suggests, all held at a comfortable 46%.

Distilled on a creole column in the agricole manner, low enough to keep the green congeners of the cane, it stays clearly cane driven under its oak. The nose is herbal, vegetal and floral, the palate brings vanilla, nutmeg and gentle tannins, and the finish runs long, green and medium dry rather than sweet. A characterful aged agricole for drinkers who want fruit, flowers and spice without stepping up into high proof territory, and a natural base for a stirred drink or a slow neat pour.