HSE Brut de fût 2015 Forêt de Montpensier

"First rum of the New Year (1.1.25), an Agricole that caught my eye very positively at the last GRF. Nose: intense and multi-layered, fruity, spicy and woody. The special barrel from the wood of the Montpensier forest - I'm guessing a virgin barrel - has contributed interesting aromas here. On the one hand spicy, mulled wine spice with clove, star anise and nutmeg, on the other sweetish fruit, pear and sour cherry with vanilla and cream toffee. There is also something slightly vegetal in the background, a hint of olive and mild peppers as well as herbs. Also has something of red wine. Exciting and beautiful. 8.6 Palate: also intense and powerful, slightly astringent and salty on the attack. Then spicy, woody and fruity. Has a slight celery note right at the start. Also nutmeg, cardamom and clove. The fruit is difficult to discern, perhaps blackberry, but not sweet. Here, too, it has something of red wine, or rather cold mulled wine with gingerbread. Overall a very interesting Agricole, with lots of spicy aromas. 8.4"

"Tried it at the 13th GRF. I liked it very much. Very dark and complex. But not bitter, although a lot of cask influence was recognizable. In direct comparison, the 2014 Small Cask is significantly better as it is more complex and multi-layered. Very concentrated. Very dark agricole. Delicious."

"Sa couleur est plus sombre que celle de Chantilly. Le nez possède des tanins plus affirmés avec un jus de pruneaux bien mûrs et bien marqués. Les accents sont fruités, ronds. Le boisé est plus humide et les épices sont plus gourmandes, sur fond de vanille. La bouche poursuit sur le pruneau. L'alcool est bien intégré avec une attaque douce et chaleureuse. Les accents sont complexes, fruité sur de la figue avec un boisé terreux. On ressent bien le sous-bois tout au long de la dégustation. L'amertume est présente mais moins dérangeante que sur la forêt de Chantilly. La finale est moyennement longue, sur le boisé, la figue et encore cette mousse/humus de sous-bois. Je lui donne un 81/100."

"A rum with a rather dark, closed profile, as evidenced by its color. On the nose, there's a strong, dark woodiness that envelops the whole. It reminded me of a very old solid wood cupboard. There's spice, coffee, a hint of gourmet caramel, dark chocolate and nuts. A very light apple note. The palate is dominated by this spicy, slightly damp wood, with a discreet sweetness that ends in bitterness. There's still this intense dark side that encompasses everything. Still, it lacks complexity. A good rum, which has trouble opening up or gives the impression that it could say more. Still an interesting profile, but not a standout either. The other forest stands out for its more open, gourmand and much less dark side, perhaps more classic of a good old rum, I think. It remains to be seen whether we prefer something different, less expressive but interesting, or some very good, slightly more classic juices?"

"A nose full of butter, caramel, milk chocolate and red fruit. Very, very greedy! The palate is full of red fruit, spices and pepper. A beautiful bottle!"

"Beautifully delicate HSE, tropical fruit, coffee, dry notes in the aroma. On the palate, red fruit, mocachino, a little acidity and I can still smell the red dessert wine. The finish is creamy, the alcohol recedes gently and the wine notes remain. Oh, and the colour? Dark as hell!"

"On the nose sweet wood, cane, sweet spices and some nuts. The palate is interesting, full-bodied, with dried, seasoned fruits, pepper, salted caramel and a distant hazelnut finish that is quite persistent, but with a touch of tartness"