Duckett Blue Rum

A small, new distillery near St. Louis focuses on a genuine, hands-on approach without any added ingredients, handling everything from creation to packaging internally. They apparently use fresh sugarcane for their Agricole-style spirit, sometimes including dunder, though this might not be consistent. That level of dedication and business strategy is commendable. This unaged spirit, bottled at 100 proof, is part of Batch 007 from 2019. The bottle's unusual, solid shape and appealing labels don't strongly suggest "rhum." It's almost entirely transparent, like vodka, with a thin consistency and numerous thin streaks. The initial aroma is quite strong with alcohol, enhancing the zesty Agricole notes. While not unpleasant, the smell detracts from sipping it neat. The combination of elements creates an unappealing scent profile: a tropical fruit hint of pineapple and papaya, jasmine, bell pepper, and fresh vegetation that shifts into a stale, musty grain and rubbing alcohol aroma. Hopefully, the distiller can refine this aspect as they develop their skills. The palate begins with a touch of sweetness, followed by white pepper that tingles the tongue and cheeks. It has a smooth texture. A mineral quality and yellow squash lead to lingering copper notes that dry the mouth and intensely stimulate saliva production. This clearly showcases the fresh sugarcane character, unaged. There's much to appreciate on the palate, and the sweetness becomes more pronounced with each sip, hinting at a subtle connection to Scottish grain whiskies. Honeysuckle, white grappa, honeydew, and pencil wood are also present. This isn't an overwhelmingly positive assessment, but it holds promise. I believe there's significant potential, and it's impressive how well they've managed this very potent spirit, which might take many years to perfect. I'm unsure how often I'll drink this, but I suspect it has the character and strength to excel in certain mixed drinks. I'll be watching this distillery's future offerings and am open to trying new products from them.