O Reizinho Aged 3 Years 2015

O Reizinho Aged 3 Years 2015 is a Madeira agricole from the O Reizinho distillery, one of the few places outside the French islands legally entitled to the term rhum agricole. Made from fresh sugarcane juice on a column still and matured in a Madeira cask, this single-cask release is drawn from the 2015 vintage and bottled at a forceful 61.2%.

The wine cask dominates the picture, giving a dark, roasted spirit that drinks more like a sherried whisky than a grassy blanc: roasted chocolate, buttered popcorn, dried fruit and dark, vegetal notes on the nose, then raisin, syrupy oak and roasted character on the palate, finishing on sherry, red fruit and dates. Despite only three years it is intense, dirty and powerful, the strength asking for a few drops of water. A bold, cask-driven agricole for experienced drinkers who like roasted wine-cask depth, neat or in assertive cocktails.