wine

Took part in a rum tasting session on 27 March, and it was a ride across the Caribbean and beyond.
From elegant Brazilian cachaça to bold Salvadoran high-ester rum, each bottle had a story—and a perfect pairing.
Here’s a thread of my top picks and impressions
🥃🧵

Brazil – Cachaça Umburana (Fazenda Soledade)
Fresh, elegant and balanced, with barely any alcohol burn. Perfect as an apéritif or paired with grilled fish.
40° – €48/btl

Guadeloupe – Rhum Agricole Ambré (Longueteau, 18 months)
Pleasant and fruity with a lively first impression. Pairs beautifully with soft, rich French cheeses like camembert.
45° – €30/btl

El Salvador – Ron Colón 81 (High esters)
Atypical and bold. Peated whisky fans, this one's for you. Excellent match with smoky charcuterie like andouille de Vire.
40.5° – €31/btl

Puerto Rico – Ron del Barrilito (2 stars)
Caramel notes, smooth and warming with a complex nose. Blend of 3 to 5 year-old rums. Try it with dark chocolate macarons.
€50/btl

Did you know?
Aging rum in the Caribbean isn't the same as aging whisky in Scotland.
Tropical heat speeds up maturation—so a 3-year-old rum can have the depth and complexity of a 15-year-old Scotch.
The angels get a bigger share, but what's left is pure gold.

Ever heard of the "angels’ share"?
It’s the part of the rum that evaporates during aging in barrels.
In the Caribbean, heat makes barrels breathe fast—up to 10% can vanish per year!
So while angels sip generously, what's left gets richer, smoother, and more intense.

Rum starts out crystal clear—pure alcohol is always white before aging.
It’s the oak casks that give it that amber color, along with notes of vanilla, spice, and toast.
Barrels “breathe”: they let a bit of air in, some alcohol out (the angels’ share), and infuse the rum with their soul.
No oak, no magic.

Great rum is meant to be savoured, not slammed.
Take your time, explore the aromas, pair it well, and let it tell its story.
Enjoy the journey—just don’t race through the bottles.
Drink with joy, drink with moderation.

Martinique – Rhum Agricole Blanc "La Perle" (A1710, 2022 vintage)
Surprisingly rich for a white rum. Hints of seafood (yes, mussels!) and a deep iodine finish. Great with almond financiers.
54.5° – €45/btl