Neisson L'Empyreumatique Itineraires (70cl, 50.8%)

Neisson L'Empyreumatique is a Martinique rhum agricole from the family distillery on the Thieubert estate in Le Carbet. It combines eight-year-old rhums matured in Cognac and Bourbon casks, bottled undiluted at 50.8%. Its name refers to roasted and grilled aromas, here without excessive woodiness. The rhum is neither chill-filtered nor coloured, and the bottle comes in a wooden box. The nose is rich and deep, with beeswax, toast, tiger balm, eucalyptus, apricot kernels, orange peel and gentian root, later candied lemon and pear, balsamic pine, lavender and iris. The palate is lively and fine, with banana, pineapple, candied lemon, vanilla, sage and verbena infusions, a salty note, fresh ginger and sugar cane, plus hints of plaster and mustard poultice. The finish is fresh and slender, with mineral-salty herbal and root bitterness, kaffir lime, pineapple and grapefruit, then vetiver, liquorice and rosemary, savory and geranium.