Launched in 2016 with a rum from the 2015 harvest, Black Cane is the traditional cuvée of the Bologne distillery. It is produced from a single variety of cane, black cane.
The latter, neglected by many distilleries due to its low yield, is the delight of this Guadeloupean house. Indeed, it offers an unrivaled aromatic intensity that has made the Black Cane cuvée famous. The cane is harvested when it has reached a full year of maturity. After a classic fermentation for an agricultural rum (48 hours), the vesou is distilled in a copper Savalle-type column. The resulting rum, which is 70% proof upon leaving the still, is gradually reduced to 50% with spring water.
Here we offer you the 2023 harvest. Bottled in limited quantities, this 9th edition is in line with previous harvests.
We advise you to taste this rum pure before enjoying it in Ti' punch.
Nico's tasting note from the 2021 harvest
On the nose, we find the pressed juice of a ripe, sun-drenched cane. The rum seems to swell under the nostrils, with a thick edge, promising a lovely, almost sweet texture on the palate. After a few seconds, a few drops of essential oil seem to ooze from the skin of a lime, adding to the concentrated, oily impression.
Aeration brings us closer to the earth and bark of the cane, with drier, spicier aromas. Pepper joins a fresher, stiffer cane than in the first seconds, for a resolutely agricultural profile.
The palate is well-balanced, playing on both freshness and sweetness. On the one hand, the cane juice is lively, fruity and flowery, and on the other, it spreads out gently, with an oily texture. The promise of the nose is thus fulfilled, and this white rum can be sipped calmly and enjoyed without burning.
The finish is as round as ever, and deeper aromas of fermentation, resin and spice take hold over the long finish.
"A very fragrant and rounded rhum agricole, to be enjoyed as is or in a very lightly sweetened ti'punch..."
In comparison, the 2020 Black Cane Limited Edition Bologna offered a similarly profiled nose, also very tender, with the same hints of lime. On the palate, the same roundness was found, coupled with a lively and flavorful cane.
Nico's tasting note from the 2020 harvest
The nose opens with fresh, lemony cane, enveloped in a soft, tangy cloud of sugar syrup. The cane fiber is candied, very slightly peppery, and the rum is soft and velvety.
Aeration brings out all the roundness and deliciousness of this rum, still perfumed with sweet citrus. The cane juice is both sweet and acidic, with a hint of bitterness from the lime zest.
The palate is round and sweet, with a power that gently warms the palate, coating it without burning it. The cane is lively and lemony, but also greedy, with chewiness and an almost liquorish quality.
The finish is equally tasty, with molten pepper joining candied cane fiber.
"A lot of gourmandise for this instant, mellow, lemony ti'punch..."
Compared to the 2020 harvest, the 2019 Bologne Black Cane showed more roundness from the start, but also offered a more rustic side, focused on fermentation. The common point of the two vintages obviously remains the delicacy of cane and citrus fruits, as well as the controlled and joyful power found on the palate.
Nico's tasting note from the 2019 harvest
The nose opens with a lovely cane, rich and generous. It shows a round side, but also imposes a massive presence. A few ripe citrus fruits graze the nostrils, just acidic and above all fruity.
Aeration brings out more candied lemon and deeper notes of fermented cane juice. This is an authentic rhum agricole that should work wonders in a ti'punch, with its slightly rounded notes of bagasse and pepper.
The palate is full and warm, with a cane that rolls across the palate and seems almost sweet. The mid-palate is suave, rather fruity and luminous. The rum then brings out a nice warmth of pepper and drier vegetal, leading us towards fuller-bodied notes of fermentation (pickled vegetables).
On the finish, a sense of terroir lingers, with notes almost reminiscent of undergrowth and mushrooms.
"A lively, generous, sparkling rum that seems designed for unforgettable ti'punches..."
In comparison, the 2018 Bologna Black Cane seems more timid at first, despite more pronounced notes of fermentation and iodine that emerge later. It has something drier, lighter, and cane-centric about it. On the palate, it offers less roundness, but instead a pleasant peppery warmth. The finish is also shorter than that of the 2019, with more alcohol.
Nico's tasting note from the 2016 harvest
Prepare yourself before you put your nose to it, the beast is powerful! It sends cane and citrus bitterness in all directions. Quickly, however, the rum changes face and becomes sweet, we then dive into a lemon cream or a Limoncello. Lemongrass comes to link with the grassy traits of the cane. The exotic fruits that arrive next breathe joy: pineapple, mango, papaya and lychee form a joyful circle. A little melted anise and licorice remind us of wisdom.
As you swirl the glass, the licorice takes over. The rum becomes thicker, heavier, and the lemony undertone becomes more candied. There's also a touch more spice with powdered ginger and turmeric.
The attack on the palate is spicy, almost "ginger beer." A good dose of alcohol sweeps things away and brings us back to a simple and fresh cane. It is immediately much less round, really dry, an impression that is also reinforced by a mineral, even metallic touch. The fruits are less exotic but they remain fresh, we have a very ripe pear, grape, as well as black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant).
The storm will leave a fine pepper on the palate.
"This white rum has personality, and a few grains of sugar and a zest of lime will complement it wonderfully..."
