Neisson Zetwal Polaris

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 49.4%

Special Features:

For Zetwal Polaris, Neisson blends aged rhums distilled in 2000, 2005, 2012 and 2013, ordinarily destined for the Armada collection. They were distilled in the distillery’s copper Savalle column. The blend has a distinctly fruity character with floral, spicy and sweet accents.

Polaris is the first edition in the Zetwal range and is dedicated to the North Star. Zetwal means star in Creole: the name recalls how sailors navigated by the night sky. The ship motif on the decanter echoes this maritime connection. Sébastien Schalchli of Le Secret Magnifique designed the vessel, which is made by Portuguese crystal manufacturer Vista Alegre.

Before bottling in 2023, the blend was slightly diluted to 49.4% alcohol. The crystal decanter contains 0.7 litres and comes in a wooden box.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose is delicate and fresh. Apricot and pepper appear first. With air, banana, guava and candied ginger emerge, accompanied by geranium flowers, roses, redcurrants and raspberries.
• Palate: The rum opens lively on the palate with delicate liquorice and lavender honey, before orange and grapefruit quickly emerge. Salted butter caramel and the flavour of warm cane sugar come together on the mid-palate.
• Finish: The long, balanced finish begins with a fibrous sugar-cane impression. Candied apricots, quince jelly, mango purée and flambéed bananas shape the lingering flavours, while the mouthfeel remains soft and powdery.

Distillery/Bottler:

Neisson is based at Domaine Thieubert in Le Carbet, Martinique. Adrien Neisson bought land there in 1931 and planted sugar cane; in 1932, the distillery built by the Neisson brothers was officially recognised. His brother Jean drew on his training as a chemical engineer to develop production. In 1995, Jean’s daughter Claudine Neisson Vernant and his grandson Grégory Vernant took over the running of the family business.

The distillery makes rhum agricole from sugar-cane juice. Fermentation uses its own yeasts, originally isolated from sugar cane, and lasts between 72 and 120 hours. Continuous distillation then takes place in an all-copper Savalle column that has been in service since 1952. Jean Neisson modified its plates and settings; to this day, it is dismantled, inspected and reassembled every year. Neisson bottles its entire production on site.

Facts: