Angel's Share Title
Rhum Neisson Reserve Speciale
The Neisson distillery is based on the company estate located at the northwest corner of the island of Martinique. Using sugarcane grown on the island the distillery crushes it immediately after harvest and ferments the fresh juice in accordance with French government’s Appellation d’Origine Controlee certification requirements. The Reserve Speciale is aged for ten years in new French oak barrels as well as used whiskey and bourbon barrels. The rhum is blended to 42% ABV using water from the island then bottled for global distribution.
Rhum Neisson Reserve Speciale
Appearance
The rhum holds a dark walnut color in the bottle that lightens to a dark amber in the glass. The liter bottle is secured with a metal screw cap. The dark labels provide the basic information about the product and where it is made, but offers little in the way of in-depth information.
Swirling the liquid creates a medium band around the glass that spins off wickedly quick legs that descend down the side of the glass. The bands continue to thicken then drop a second set of slower legs.
Nose
The aroma is interestingly complex and was quite a fun puzzle to decipher. Initially there is a rush of orange jam, potent tobacco, with an undertone of acetone. After the liquid rests for a few minutes I detected warm butter, new saddle leather, fennel, black pepper, green grape, with just a hint of charcoal completing the experience.
Palate
The first sip of rhum has the alcohol dominating the palate with a swirl of black pepper, anise, saddle leather and all spice. The tobacco leaf flavors really come in strong providing a combination of freshly harvested and aged pipe (Black Cavendish) tobacco. The sweet fruit notes of orange jam, green grape, and black cherry swirl in at the end right before copper and char notes take over lingering in a medium fade.
Review
Overall, I totally understand why some find this rhum one of the most polarizing ones to come from Martinique. I happen to enjoy the complexity and dare I say down right weird juxtapositions of flavors discovered in the liquid. In some ways it reminds me of a relationship that has a lot of fighting but in the end it somehow works. I know some of the flavors come from the three different barrels used to make the rhum along with a good bit of the island terroir for an added twist. These together make a good sipping experience for me. For cocktails I suggest a Negroni or a Jet Pilot would be far more interesting than a traditional Tí punch as a way to explore the flavors of the spirit. Overall, if you are up for a little risk as some truly dislike this rhum, I think it is well worth exploring and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Cheers!
