Nobilis ReimonenQ No. 48 (Rums of Anarchy) 2014

ReimonenQ is a Guadeloupe agricole distillery, and this Rums of Anarchy single cask, bottled by Nobilis, is a ten year old from the 2014 harvest made from fresh pressed cane juice. What sets it apart is continental ageing, matured in cooler Europe rather than tropical heat, so the maturation is slower and gentler and the rum stays lean rather than lush, a useful contrast to most tropically aged agricole.

Distilled on a column to keep the green cane character, then aged in ex bourbon wood, it lands dry and earthy. The nose runs sugar cane, earth, grass and almond, the palate stays earthy and nutty with pear, and the finish keeps the cane, grass and citrus going dry and clean. At 55.8% it has punch but reads austere and firm, one for drinkers who enjoy older Neisson or a lean, continental style agricole rather than a sweet or oak heavy one.