HBS Rum – Habitation Beauséjour – 2020 Vintage – 55%
In the north of Martinique, Habitation Beauséjour (HBS) was revived in 2020 and has established itself as the smallest distillery on the island, faithful to an artisanal spirit and micro-batches focused on the pure expression of cane. Anchored in a terroir swept by the trade winds facing Dominica, it produces a white agricultural rum with a clean, distinctive, and precise style.
Made from pure, freshly pressed cane juice, then distilled in a Creole column, this 2020 vintage embodies the renewal of HBS: a white bottling at 55% vol., produced in a limited edition (approx. 4,000 bottles), designed as much for Ti' Punch as for pure tasting. The approach is clear: to favor vegetal straightforwardness, a burst of citrus fruit, and a thirst-quenching salinity reminiscent of the canes of northern Martinique.
The nose opens with a frank and crystalline cane, accents of lemon and lime zest, enhanced by an airy floral touch. On the palate, the attack is lively and straightforward; the vegetal tension meets a relief of citrus, carried by a salivating minerality. The texture remains supple for the degree, and the finish, long and clean, unfolds fine peppery and saline nuances. A few minutes of aeration reveals an even brighter profile, with a return of sweet cane and citrus peel.
Served chilled, this HBS 2020 Rum excels as a minimalist Ti' Punch (zest and light syrup), a cane-lemon highball, or neat at 12–14°C in a small tulip glass. It pairs perfectly with sea urchin or sea bream ceviche, salty oysters, sea bream tartare with lime, and fresh Creole cuisine (accras, fierce). A characterful, precise, and mouth-watering white for lovers of rhum agricole in search of authenticity.
