IMPORTANT: the batch currently in stock may differ from the one shown in the photo. If you require a specific batch, please contact us beforehand so that we can check our stocks.
HSE Extra Vieux Small Cask 2014 is a vintage AOC agricultural rum produced in Martinique by Habitation Saint-Étienne.
Aged on October 15, 2014, this rum benefited from a special maturation in small 55-liter Limousin oak barrels. Only 20 barrels were selected by cellar master Lionel Lampin. This gives it great intensity and aromatic richness.
Bottled in April 2021, this vintage produced a total of 2,800 numbered bottles.
This vintage follows previous versions, notably the 2004 and 2007 vintages.
Nico's tasting note of the 2014 vintage
On the nose, we're dealing with a mature, weathered, candied rum that shows depth and concentration. The exotic, precious woodiness is lacquered by honey with generous floral and spicy notes; the cane juice is just cooked, simply reduced to a blond caramel.
Aeration lifts a handful of spices, and peppercorns take flight, invigorating the nose. Fresh, natural cane juice expresses itself, with a slight bitterness of lime zest that brings us back to the firm identity of Martinique's agricultural rum.
The palate immediately strikes a balance between the frankness of the spices and the lusciousness of the wood, leaving us no time to doubt the quality of the rum. Soft oak coats the palate, with coconut milk, vanilla and baking spices. The cane juice is candied in this syrup, which has retained only its most delectable, gourmand aromas, with nuances of ripe, velvety fruit juices.
The finish is caramelized, gently spicy, the pepper melted on an almost sweet, soft toast.
"A gourmet, woody rhum agricole that tastes like soft caramel..."
Nico's tasting note of the 2004 vintage
The nose is immediately very rich and aromatic, extremely fruity. It is also floral, which, combined with a certain minerality, gives it a “vinous” (white wine) side. So fruit: fresh and sweet grapes, mirabelle plum, apricot, orange zest. These fruits seem to become more candied as the rum aerates. The vinous side gradually brings to mind an Armagnac, the fruits become dry, the prune joins them.
The wood appears, with spices in the bag and a damp, undergrowth side.
Over time this rich and fine nose gives way to cane and ripe exotic fruits. The spices and woodiness are candied and it remains powerful from start to finish. Licorice and stone notes make the whole thing very delicious.
It's the spices that grab the mouth first, but quickly it becomes very soft and round, on cane and very ripe fruit. The cigar register comes into play with tobacco and a smoky side.
Finally, the finish is very delicious, pastry-like, with candied woodiness. She is very persistent.
“A particularly generous and aromatic Martinican rum, which remains very fair and balanced…”
