Holmes Cay Reunion Island Agricole

Sourced from the Distillerie de Savanna on Réunion Island, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, Holmes Cay Reunion Island Agricole is an unaged rum offering a taste of a rather unique terroir. Holmes Cay, an independent bottler founded by Eric Kaye and Maura Gedid, is known for seeking out and releasing exceptional, unadulterated rums from around the world, often at cask strength. This particular expression is distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice using a copper column still, a traditional French agricole method. What makes this spirit noteworthy is not only its origin—Réunion Island accounts for a very small percentage of global agricole rum production, with most of its rum being molasses-based—but also the volcanic soil in which the sugarcane is grown, contributing to a distinct mineral character. This isn't a new, trendy concoction, but rather a traditional style brought to a wider audience, highlighting the grassy, vegetal, and sometimes briny notes characteristic of fresh cane juice distillates.

Holmes Cay Reunion Island Agricole offers a vibrant, grassy, and distinctly vegetal profile, a hallmark of its fresh-pressed sugarcane juice origins from the volcanic soils of Réunion Island. Expect notes of green bell pepper, fresh-cut sugarcane, and even a surprising hint of olive brine or saltwater taffy. This unaged spirit truly shines in a classic Ti' Punch, allowing its unique terroir to come forward, but it also brings a lively, herbaceous kick to Daiquiris and other classic Tiki cocktails.

Expect initial aromas of sharp, freshly-cut sugarcane, green pepper, and olive, which lead to a grassy, briny palate with hints of citrus zest and white pepper. The finish is medium-long, savory, and balanced, leaving a fresh sugarcane sweetness and a pleasant mineral aftertaste.