Latitudes O Reizinho Aguardente de Cana de Santa Cruz

Madeira is one of the few regions outside the French islands entitled to call its cane juice rum agricole, and this O Reizinho aguardente de cana from Santa Cruz, selected by independent bottler Latitudes, makes the most of that heritage. It is pot distilled from fresh sugar cane juice and bottled at a lively 50%.

The character sits somewhere between French agricole and the wild rusticity of Caribbean village rum. The nose is fresh and bright with raw sugarcane, citrus and a green olive note, while the palate stays fresh and cane-forward with lemon and a peppery bite. The finish turns vegetal, spicy and herbal. There is just enough roughness to keep it interesting, and plenty of personality for the price. Drinkers reach for it neat or, fittingly, in a Madeiran Poncha, where its fresh cane snap shines.