Trois Frères Distillery Takamaka Le Clos Series Ex-Whisky x Palo Cortado (LMDW) 2023

Takamaka, made by the Trois Freres distillery in the Seychelles, works from fresh-pressed sugar-cane juice, placing it in agricole-style territory since the islands sit outside the agricole appellations. This Le Clos bottling was selected for La Maison du Whisky, distilled on a pot still for added weight.

Double-finished in ex-whisky and palo cortado sherry casks and bottled unsweetened at cask strength of 56.2%, it leans toward a savoury, smoky profile. The nose is smoky and vegetal with spice and wood, the palate turns smoky and roasted with red and tropical fruit, and the finish stays smoky and spiced with a delicate sweet undertone from the sherry cask. The whisky influence shows clearly alongside the cane core, and the pot still and strength give it firm body, making a characterful crossover for drinkers who enjoy smoke and sherried wood in their rum.