HSE Blanc is the unaged expression from Habitation Saint-Etienne in Martinique, and it represents the purest possible expression of the agricole philosophy: fresh sugarcane juice, distilled on a Creole column still, bottled without any barrel contact. This is a spirit stripped down to its essence — there is nowhere for mediocre distillation to hide, no oak to smooth rough edges or add compensating flavour. What you taste is sugarcane, transformed by fermentation and fire, and nothing else.
Under the AOC Martinique regulations, rhum blanc must be distilled to between 65% and 75% ABV and rested for a minimum of three months in stainless steel before bottling. HSE Blanc is bottled at 50% ABV — higher than many white rums, providing excellent body and flavour intensity while remaining approachable. The sugarcane used is grown on the estate and pressed within hours of harvest, ensuring maximum freshness.
On the Nose
The nose is electrifying. Fresh-cut sugarcane dominates — green, grassy, and almost startlingly alive. It is accompanied by a bright citrus quality — lime zest and lemongrass — and a floral sweetness that recalls frangipani and jasmine. White pepper provides a lively spice note, while a mineral quality — almost metallic, in the most positive sense — speaks to the volcanic terroir of Martinique. There is a subtle fruity quality, green apple and pear, that adds elegance. The nose is clean, vivid, and completely unlike any molasses-based rum.
The Palate
On the palate, HSE Blanc is vibrant and commanding. The sugarcane character fills the mouth — grassy, sweet, and utterly fresh — with a complexity that unaged spirits rarely achieve. The citrus from the nose translates into a zesty, lime-like brightness. White pepper and a ginger spice provide heat and interest, while the mineral quality adds a savoury depth. The mouthfeel is surprisingly full-bodied at 50% ABV, with an oily richness that carries the flavours across every surface of the palate. The sugarcane sweetness is present but balanced by the spice and minerality.
The Finish
The finish is medium to long, with the sugarcane grassiness persisting alongside the mineral and citrus qualities. The white pepper builds gently, providing a tingling warmth, while a clean, almost saline dryness prevents the finish from being sweet. The final note is one of fresh cane and tropical flowers — vivid and alive.
HSE Blanc is the definitive Ti Punch rum — mixed with a coin of lime and a barspoon of cane syrup, it is one of the Caribbean's most perfect serves. In a Daiquiri, the grassy sugarcane character transforms the cocktail entirely. Neat, at 50% ABV, it is a contemplative spirit of genuine power and complexity. This is rhum agricole at its most authentic — a spirit that proves unaged rum need not be simple, neutral, or merely functional.
