Neisson Rhum Agricole Blanc 50%

I had heard great things about Neisson, so I was eager to try it. It didn't completely meet expectations, but by that I mean it was very good, like all agricole rums I've ever had, rather than being astonishingly superior to others I've tried. The nose is primarily sugarcane, as anticipated. It has that delightful sweetness with a touch of vanilla, similar to plain sugar icing on a cinnamon roll. There's also a tropical undertone, perhaps like green bananas and fresh flowers. This is where the taste differs from all other agricoles I've encountered. I consistently detect a noticeable blueberry note. It's not quite like fresh blueberries, but more akin to blueberry bubblegum or some type of blueberry candy. I was surprised by this, as it's not a flavor I associate with an agricole at all. It's not unpleasant, though. Besides that, the flavor is again sugarcane with a bit of lime. The finish is sharp and burning with more tart lime and a slight bitterness. It certainly shines in a ti punch. It's somewhat challenging to assign distinct ratings to different agricole blancs because they share a similar overall profile. That said, strangely enough, this might be my least favorite of the half-dozen or so I've sampled. It's excellent in a ti punch, but on its own, I find it a little harsher than others I've had. But the difference is truly minor. My experience is still limited, but I'm not sure there's such a thing as a bad agricole blanc. This is good stuff. It cost $40 for a liter bottle, which is about average for most I've encountered. I might purchase it again after trying some others.

Nose: raw sugar cane, sugar that's been fermenting, hints of mild fruit and malt? Palate: sugary, herbaceous, verdant, somewhat fresh (less so than the Hawaiian one I tasted). Slightly musty. Finish: herbaceous, arid, a touch of crystalline sweetener

Nose: grassy, funky, rotten/fermented banana. Palate: a bit rubbery, fermenting fruit. Finish: somewhat harsh, almost like paint thinner.