Poisson Père Labat 8 Ans Très Vieux

Pere Labat is a small, well regarded distillery on Marie Galante off Guadeloupe, working in the agricole tradition from fresh pressed cane juice. This eight year Tres Vieux is an aged expression from its column still, leaning dry and woody rather than sweet, bottled at 42% in the island's classic style.

Long ageing in ex bourbon wood gives it apple, dried apricot, pineapple and toffee on the nose, with a woody, vegetal and citrus palate and a finish that turns musty, bitter and faintly saline. The salty, vegetal edge keeps it firmly in agricole territory, the fruit and oak balanced without any sweetness to soften them. It drinks best as a slow, contemplative sipper, suited to those who like a well aged cane juice rum that stays on the dry side.