Longueteau Prélude is a blend of agricultural rums aged exclusively in French oak barrels.
The rum was finally bottled without any reduction in alcohol content. It is a "brut de fût".
Nico's tasting notes
The nose is mellow and woody, with nuts spread out in a grainy paste. The cane is well preserved, peppered with a light zest of lime. A veil of solvent leaves a pleasant impression of concentrated woodiness. The cane is also concentrated, pulsating and vibrant. The oak then becomes more natural, more raw. It is as simple and straightforward as a wood chip, yet soft and polished. Different fragrances follow, sweet spices and then quite original vegetal notes. One thinks one recognizes sage or perhaps sorrel, velvety herbs that are raw and a little spicy on the palate.
With aeration, the woodiness returns, regaining its mellowness. It foreshadows the older rums in the range, with their slightly oily oak. This one is younger, so still a little raw. Its tannins have not yet completely melted, but are well advanced. The sweet pepper also has a certain body, and the bare, natural cane is particularly at home in all this wood.
On the palate, the woodiness is catchy. It's young, but well chosen and distinguished: vanilla, coconut, as if it were aged in Bourbon casks, whereas in fact it's Cognac casks. The texture is pleasant as a starter, despite its relative youth. The cane is gently spicy, like pepper and cinnamon on a baked apple. The emerging identity has personality, and a certain elegance supported by a little cherry pit.
The finish is rightly embroidered with that little cherry or plum pit, with a fresh wood resin. The rum pulls away, making a very good impression.
"This rum vieux in the making is a fine example of the new personality of Longueteau rums. It bears witness to the fine work that has gone into developing its own identity..."
The Harmonie range is a step up in maturity and complexity.
Le Prélude introduces the new woody style of the house, still a little young, more on new oak, and marked by white rum.
Symphonie reveals a mature woodiness and a rum that is beginning to age, not to mention the freshness of the cane.
The Concerto is by far the most accomplished of the three, with its woody, mellow notes and generous texture.
Stéphane Ti'verre
I have batch 5 at 48.9% vol, bottle number 156/1400.
On the nose 👃🏻: the freshness and liveliness of the cane is immediately apparent, with hints of nuts. There's also a hint of acidity, between apple and lime. Young wood lines the bottom of the glass, along with a touch of vanilla. It's very wise, almost too wise. These develop as the glass is aired, with a buttery edge appearing. It softens and gains in sweetness.
On the palate 👅: the watts are there on the attack, it's relatively lively but unctuous. With spice but not too much, pepper in particular. It's indeed quite sweet, and we find its buttery side as well as the apple. The woodiness is slightly roasted, then gives way to coffee notes that last a while on the palate. Vanilla follows subtly behind with cinnamon.
As for the finish, it turns more fruity, still with cinnamon and a very light woodiness with a fresh edge. Unfortunately, I find it a little short for a product in this range 👌
I really liked this Longueteau, especially on the palate, despite a slightly sad finish I must admit. and I would have liked a more expressive nose. Even if we're on two different profiles, I find the Neisson Profil 105 more expressive, more interesting. That's why I don't give the Longueteau top marks.
Xavier
The best of Longueteau's Symphonie range. A very good Rhum Ambré with a long finish.