Saint James Royal Ambré

Saint James has been distilling on Martinique since 1765, and this Royal Ambré sits at the entry of the range, a two year old agricole made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice rather than molasses. It is squarely a workhorse, the kind of bottle Martinique households keep for ti' punch and long drinks rather than slow contemplative sipping.

Distilled on a creole column that runs low to keep the grassy cane congeners in the spirit, then briefly rested in ex bourbon wood, it leans woody and a little alcoholic with the cane still showing through. Expect freshly mown grass, apricot and a faint glue note on the nose, a sharp fruity palate, and a soft, lightly syrupy agricole finish. At 40% it is dry and direct, happiest stretched over ice with lime and a little cane syrup.