HBS Rum - Habitation Beauséjour - 2020 Vintage - 55%
In the north of Martinique, Habitation Beauséjour (HBS) was reborn in 2020 after decades of hibernation, in a small, artisanal setting focused on the pure expression of sugar cane. The island's smallest distillery, it operates in micro-batches, with a primarily regional production, rooted in a terroir buffeted by the trade winds off Dominica. This revival marks the return of a resolutely distinctive agricultural rum.
Made from pure cane juice and distilled in a Creole column, the 2020 Cuvée is the emblematic white of the HBS reboot: a 55% vol. bottling, produced in a limited edition (approximately 4,000 bottles), designed for Ti' Punch as well as for pure tasting. The style seeks the clarity of the vegetal, the precision of citrus and a salivating sensation that characterizes the canes of northern Martinique.
A frank and very pure nose, with fresh cane, lemon/lime zest and a touch of white flower. Lively and straightforward palate, combining vegetal tension, citrus relief and a salivating minerality; the texture remains supple for the alcohol content, with a clean, long, slightly peppery and saline finish. A bright and precise profile that gains even more openness after a few minutes of aeration. (Aromatic profile in line with community tasting feedback.) Perfect in Ti' Punch (just zest and light syrup), in a cane-lemon highball, or neat at 12–14 °C in a small tulip glass. Superb with sea urchin/sea bream ceviche, iodized oysters, sea bream-lime tartare and fresh Creole cuisine (accras, fierce).