Three HSEs at different ages from the same cane variety, from the same piece of land and the same vintage today. More precisely, we are talking about the year 2016, canne d’Or and the so called “parcellaire #1”, and even more precisely, the plots “Verger” and “Coulon”.

HSE Parcellaire #1 Cannde d’Or 2016 (55%): A Blanc, that got to rest in a steel tank for two years, which is at least one and a half year more than the typical duration for these Rhums. Let’s see how that affected the product. Nose: Extremely aromatic with Williams pear, candy rock sugar, kumquats and white pepper. Instead of a smoother product, which I would have expected from the long resting time, we are getting something slightly more aromatic I’d say. Palate: Less fruity and more balanced than the nose. Instead of the Williams pear, I get hints of licorice, anise and still plenty of cane and grassy notes. Tasty! Finish: Quite long with white pepper, red rice and fennel. A highly enjoyable Rum! (81/100)

HSE Parcellaire #1 Canne d’Or VO 2016 1YO (45%): We add a year of American oak to the previous Blanc. Nose: A bit more muted than the Blanc, but that’s only relatively speaking. I get a mix of candied fruits, some wood, that rock candy again as well as something close to almonds. Palate: Once again slightly grassy. That said, the rock candy is still my dominant association here, which is now joined by strawberry and that Bum Bum ice cream from my childhood memories. Finish: More of the Bum Bum, but also herbal notes and a few spices (pepper, cloves). Another good Rum, but in direct comparison I prefer the younger sibling, I think. (80/100)

HSE Parcellaire #1 Canne d’Or 2016 3YO (45%): Nose: Very thick and dense, which indicates a certain creamyness at the palate. Aromawise, I get vanilla, fresh cane juice and lots of tobacco. Palate: Quite to my surprise, the tobacco is still there, and is in fact my major association. Next to that I can find vanilla, citrus fruits such as tangerine or kumquat and subtle wood. Nice, but not totally exciting. Finish: Medium long with oak, fir cone, pepper, apple and fresh greenery. HSE simply knows how to deliver. (81/100)

An interesting comparison. The Rums were much more similar to one another than I thought beforehand. You can definitely tell that these Rums have a common ancestry, be it the parcel of land, the cane variety, or HSE’s production techniques.