Papa Rouyo Viraj 2022

Papa Rouyo Viraj 2022 is a young aged agricole from the Papa Rouyo distillery in Guadeloupe, a newer producer making rum from fresh sugar-cane juice rather than molasses. This single cask is distilled on a pot still, given three years of ageing and bottled unsweetened at cask strength, a characterful cane-juice rum that still wears its youth openly.

The pot still lends the fresh cane extra body, while ex-bourbon ageing, with some time in a sherry cask, adds a fruity, nutty layer. The nose carries a fresh, menthol-cool lift with cinnamon, dried fruit and mint, the palate turns woody with dried fruit, nuts and caramel, and the finish stays warm with sugarcane, caramel and citrus. The cane stays bright and solar beneath the wood. At 52.3% it is lively and well made, a promising young Guadeloupe agricole for drinkers who enjoy fresh, fruity cane juice with a little cask depth.