We fly to Brazil at Epris distillery for a release by Valich & Mallet aged 6 years in the tropics for a total production of 265 bottles.
Old gold in color on opening, it releases an all-around apple, ranging from rennet, somewhat tart, to cider, to Calvados with a luscious herbaceous note that starts with lemongrass and reaches the gates of coriander and mint.
The palate opens like a fruit distillate, like German pear schnapps, then the sugary part of fermented cane juice takes over, with anise and cumin seed confit, the kind you get at an Indian restaurant. The alcohol is well integrated, a green banana note emerges.
A release that takes us into little-explored territory!
Striking are the balance and drinkability, which are not always the first quality of full-degree single cask rums and yet in this case is one of the most fascinating aspects!
