Velier Damoiseau 1989

Velier Damoiseau 1989 is a collectible old agricole, drawn from the Damoiseau distillery in Guadeloupe and bottled by Velier, the Genoa house that built its name on tropically-aged, full-proof, additive-free single casks. Made from fresh sugar-cane juice and given seventeen years in oak, this is exactly the sort of deep, uncompromising old rum Velier is known for, bottled at cask strength and aimed at seasoned drinkers.

Long ageing in ex-bourbon under Caribbean heat drives hard oak extraction, and that shows in an intense nose of leather, tobacco and vanilla and a palate layering leather, tobacco, grass and roasted notes over honey and earth. The finish runs long and warming, with chocolate, wood and dark fruit. At 58% it is powerful but balanced, a vintage Guadeloupe agricole that delivers the house character turned right up, built for slow, attentive sipping.