Velier Poisson Père Labat 2010

Pere Labat is a small, well reputed distillery on Marie-Galante, the Guadeloupe island known for bottling its agricoles at high strength, and this 2010 was selected by Velier, the most prestigious name in collectible rum. Made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice, it is aged six years and bottled at full cask strength of 57.5% in Velier's additive free tradition.

The grassy, vegetal core of the cane juice runs right through, joined by baked apple, vanilla sweetness and a maple and cinnamon warmth on the nose, then sugarcane, tobacco and spice on the palate. Six years in ex-bourbon oak under tropical conditions adds nutty, smoky wood and burnt sugar, building toward a long, spicy finish with real depth. The alcohol is well integrated for the proof, full bodied without burning. It is a natural step up for drinkers who already enjoy clairin or higher strength agricole and want power matched by balance.