Braud & Quennesson is a new brand from Martinique that is currently produced at Le Simon, the distillery that is responsible for, among others, Clément, HSE and the early A1710. While Braud & Quennesson are looking to distill themselves, their operations permit demands the usage of hydrogen or electricity for heating. The problem is that hydrogen is more or less impossible to get on the island and that the power grid isn’t connected to their facility – and extending it is too expensive for such a small company. Alas, they do not distill themselves for the time being.

Braud & Quennesson (50%): An unaged “standard”. Nose: Grassy, floral and slightly fruity, with rasp- and strawberries, a note of vanilla and a fresh bouquet. Deeper in the glass also ginger. At least in the nose this is a very typical Martinican Agricole Blanc. Palate: There’s no sign of 50% abv, neither in terms of alcoholic sharpness, nor in terms of flavour intensity. Raspberry and vanilla are still my main associations, but I also get pear and a certain dryness. Finish: It is an unaged Rum, hence there’s nothing new compared to the palate. However, this dryness is certainly noteworthy. All in all it is very nice, just like most other Blancs from Martinique. (78/100)

Braud & Quenesson (59,2%): Nose: Compared to the 50% one, this Rhum feels almost muted, with a much less pronounced emphasis on the berries. Instead, I get more pear (relatively speaking), slate, fresh spring water, lemon and seaweed. Interesting. Palate: Once again, my impression is ‘muted’, now even more so than in the nose. Where are all those lovely floral notes we have found before? At this point it feels like a completely different distillate. Finish: Slate and chalk, oysters without those salty notes perhaps. Nope, I am not a huge fan of this one. (74/100)

Braud & Quenesson “Élevé Sous Bois” 2022 1YO (47%): A one year old – not necessarily the type of Agricole we enjoy. Nose: Totally different from the unaged ones. I get a mix of honey and herbs, paired with a certain spicyness that has to come from the barrel. Besides that there’s not much to be found. The wood has taken the more subtle notes from the distillate without giving back enough interesting ones from the barrel in return. Palate: Even less complex than the nose. Honey, pumpkin and beet are my notes here, which sounds very atypical but I think it is quite fitting. Finish: Short with more pumpkin, vanilla and fresh wood shavings. Nope, I am simply not into these lightly aged Agricoles. (74/100)