Vieux Vaval : 8 Year Old Ex-Caroni Single Cask #VA17CR-4 2018

Tasting notes and characteristics of the Vieux Vaval 8 Years Old Ex-Caroni Single Cask #VA17CR-4 2018

Tasting

Appearance
A luminous amber hue, bearing witness to its eight years of tropical ageing. In the glass, this spirit reveals a medium viscosity with moderate legs that cling delicately to the sides.

Nose
An aromatic bouquet of remarkable complexity, where the herbaceous and floral notes of fresh sugarcane meet the influence of its cask. One detects aromas of mango, bagasse and varnished wood, beautifully integrated with the saline and iodine markers typical of its terroir. The legacy of the ex-Caroni cask reveals itself through subtle hints of tar, burnt sugar and black fruits.

Palate
Rich and multidimensional, the palate offers a creamy, saline texture. The balance is remarkable between notes of aniseed, muscovado sugar and geranium. As the tasting unfolds, flavours of honey, white peach and pear emerge. The finish is dry, persistent and evolving, revealing touches of kaffir lime, cardamom and lavender, supported by a fruity and floral retro-olfaction, with a final reminder of green olive brine.

Pairings and tasting moments
This exceptional spirit invites a slow and contemplative tasting. It is ideally enjoyed neat, with a single drop of water to release its most hidden aromas, or possibly on the rocks according to your preference.

Mixology
As this is an extremely limited edition and a product of such complexity, it is strongly advised to enjoy it without any artifice in order to fully appreciate its unique aromatic profile.

Other characteristics
Bottled cask strength at 47.3%, without reduction or cold filtration.

An exceptionally complex Single Cask Rum from Haiti by Vieux Vaval

The legacy of Distillerie Arawaks
Located in the coastal village of Cavaillon, Distillerie Arawaks is the cradle of an authentic traditional Haitian rum. Founded in 1947 by the Vaval family, the estate is today led by master distiller Fritz Vaval, a worthy representative of the third generation. A fervent advocate of ancestral methods, he uses a redesigned still powered by the steam engine of a former locomotive. The Spirit of Haiti project, launched in 2012, has brought this unique know-how into the spotlight. Today, the Vieux Vaval brand is owned by La Maison & Velier for export markets. This respectful partnership ensures the preservation of artisanal techniques while offering an international showcase to these terroir-driven spirits, thereby promoting organic farming and a preserved Caribbean identity.

The making of the 8 Years Old Ex-Caroni Single Cask #VA17CR-4
The 8 Years Old Ex-Caroni Single Cask #VA17CR-4 2018 is the result of an artisanal production process and innovative ageing. It all begins on the estate's 20 hectares, farmed organically, where the endemic madame meuze sugarcane variety grows exclusively. Harvested at optimal maturity, the cane is pressed to extract its pure fresh juice. Fermentation, carried out with indigenous wild yeasts, extends up to 120 hours, creating an aromatic base of great richness.

After meticulous distillation in a pot still, this Haitian rum undergoes eight years of tropical ageing in Cavaillon. The singularity of this cuvée lies in its maturation within a single cask that previously held Caroni rum, renowned for its heavy, empyreumatic profile. This Single Cask, bottled at its natural strength of 47.3% ABV, has undergone neither dilution nor cold filtration. This limited edition captures the very essence of the Haitian terroir while engaging in dialogue with the legend of Trinidad.