Romdeluxe Ten Cane Limited Batch Series 2008

Ten Cane was an unusual Trinidad project built on fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses, and bottlings under its name are scarce now that the operation has gone. This 2008 vintage was selected by RomDeluxe, the Danish house known for high strength single casks dressed in black and white animal labels, drawn at 13 years as part of their Limited Batch Series and presented unsweetened at a hefty 64%.

The cane juice base and long ageing in ex-bourbon oak give a profile that leans dark and dry rather than grassy. Sour cherry and red fruit sit against cocoa, barrel char and a thread of liquorice, with the French oak tannins adding a firm, faintly bitter and salty edge through the finish. The 64% is carried with real composure, intense but well integrated, a cherry and chocolate study for drinkers who like their agricole oaky and serious rather than light.