Latitudes O Reizinho Rum Agricola da

Bottled by Latitudes from O Reizinho on Madeira, this is a young cane-juice rum aged roughly nine months in Madeira casks and released at cask strength, 57.5% and unsweetened. Madeira is one of the few places legally allowed the term rhum agricole, and this single cask shows surprising development for its age.

Pressed from fresh sugarcane juice and distilled on a column still run low to keep the vegetal congeners, it has had only brief barrel time, yet the wood already speaks. The nose is fruity and floral, opening on vanilla with aniseed and notes of peach, mirabelle jam and honey. The palate brings grassy cane and tobacco with fruity sweetness, caramel and butter, and there is a light smoky edge some compare to mezcal. The finish is dry with tea and fresh cane. Punchy and good fun, it rewards a little patience and water, neat for enthusiasts or stirred into bright summer cocktails.