The Rum Barrel Blog

Daimoiseau is an agricole rhum brand – made from sugarcane juice, produced at the Damoiseau Distillery in Guadeloupe – Le Moule. The distillery itself was bought by Roger Damoiseau in 1942 and nowadays it’s runned by his grandson Herve Damoiseau. The distillery is the largest on the island, producing about 55% of Guadeloupe’s rhum.

The sugarcane juice fermentation process for Damoiseau lasts around 36 hours long and then it’s distilled in a column still up to around 88% ABV. Damoiseau Millesime 2009 is aged for a minimum of 7 years in ex-Bourbon barrels and bottled at a whooping cask strength of 66.9% ABV. As expected with agricoles, the Millesime has nothing added to it. Let’s get into it!

On the nose there are bright fruity notes of melon, mango, pear, ripe apples and blackberries. Honey, vanilla, a slight dusty cardboard note followed by some oak spices like cinnamon and cloves. Some sultanas in the background with a hint of milk chocolate. Earthy and grassy notes are there but are overwhelmed by the tropical fruit aromas.

On the palate it’s surprisingly sweet and easy to drink given the 66.9% ABV, but it isn’t boring at all. English breakfast tea, mango puree, pear, raspberry jam, dark cacao, charred oak. So many things coming and going. Earthy tobacco, a hint of chili, leather, apple pie (cinnamon included). Very oak driven, same as the nose, the grassines specific to cane juice distillates is tammed by the barrel, but adds multiple layers of complexity. The finish is quite long with a mix of spicy and earthy notes.

I’m a molasses rum fan, but this ticks all the boxes for me. Cask strength, balanced and complex. The guys at Skylark Spirits are in charge of the distribution of this beauty in the UK so get in contact with them if you’re looking to get some, definitely worth it. Can also be found on Master of Malt for £94.

Damoiseau Millesime 2009 Full Proof score:
Flavour/taste: 60/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 89/100

Cheers!