La Maison & Velier Equalikor S.A. El Amparo Rum Carlos Baque Zorrilla

El Amparo is an Ecuadorian rum bottled by La Maison and Velier, the cocktail focused arm of the Velier family, distilled at Equalikor from fresh cane juice rather than molasses. Made from the cubana negra cane variety with a short fermentation before the still, it sits in the agricole family in the wider sense, outside any AOC, and at an unaged 60% it is bold and uncompromising.

The focus is on fresh, vegetal cane character with a funky, almost clairin edge: sugarcane, olive, cucumber, banana and herbs, with a distinctive salty, soapy twist that divides opinion. The palate is vegetal and grassy with a touch of sweetness, and the finish runs salty, olive tinged and floral. It is unsweetened and wild, a love it or leave it style. While some will sip it, it truly comes alive in a Daiquiri or Ti Punch, where the fresh cane punch and salinity shine. For drinkers who enjoy clairin or edgy agricole blancs, this is an adventurous cane juice white from an unexpected origin.