Longueteau Papillon Influence Ex Fût de Sauternes

Longueteau is the oldest family-owned agricole distillery still running on Guadeloupe, working from fresh cane juice grown on the estate. This Papillon Influence bottling takes a three year old agricole and finishes it in casks that once held Sauternes, the sweet Bordeaux dessert wine, and arrives at full cask strength of 62.3% without reduction. It sits under the looser Guadeloupe IGP rather than the Martinique AOC.

The Sauternes influence is clear on the nose, with apricot, peach and a soft, wine-soaked sweetness over the cane base. The palate leans nutty and rich, maple and almond folding into a peanut butter weight, with firm tannins giving structure. The finish is warm with yellow fruit and oak. The high proof carries real heat, so a few drops of water open it up; the wine cask adds fruit and body rather than added sugar.