RENEGADE 2020/2023 - Habitation Velier

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 55% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Sugarcane juice and tropical cask maturation shape this Renegade release from the Habitation Velier range. It was made from the Lacalome Red sugarcane variety. In 2020, the rum was distilled entirely by batch distillation in the Adam Still, a pot still with two retorts. It then matured for three years at the distillery on Grenada in previously used French oak casks and new American oak casks.

The 2023 release has an alcohol content of 55% and was bottled at cask strength without added sugar. During tropical maturation, evaporation losses known as the angel's share exceeded 8%. The congener content is 466.4 grams per hectolitre of pure alcohol, including 207.2 grams of esters. These compounds contribute to the rum's aroma. No colouring was added, and the rum was not chill-filtered.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The full nose combines dandelion flowers, honey and vanilla with medicinal hints of ointment. Gum arabic gradually emerges. With air, fresh sugarcane juice, milky coconut notes, pineapple and kiwi unfold, while vetiver adds a grassy note.
• Palate: The rum is lively and supple on the palate. Menthol opens the flavour, accompanied by curry, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and syrupy notes of warm cane sugar. Vanilla and dark chocolate follow on the mid-palate, alongside a pleasingly rich bitterness.
• Finish: The long, creamy finish begins with tannins and fibrous sugarcane notes. Apple compote, saffron and autumnal moss appear in the salty aftertaste. Notes of artichoke hearts emerge at the very end.

Distillery/Bottler:

Renegade is the work of Mark Reynier, who previously helped revive Bruichladdich and founded the Irish distillery Waterford. Rum production on Grenada began in September 2020. His approach puts the origin of the sugarcane centre stage: the different growing sites and their conditions are intended to remain discernible in the spirit. To achieve this, Renegade processes sugarcane juice and carries out fermentation, distillation and maturation on the island.

Habitation Velier is a joint bottling project between Velier and selected rum producers. The range focuses on rums distilled entirely in pot stills, highlighting differences in stills, origins and production methods. For this release, the illustration on the bottle and gift packaging depicts Renegade's Adam Still. Technical details on distillation, maturation and congeners complement the image.

Facts: