Neisson Blanc

[JMac]

I just got my hands on a bottle of Neisson Blanc. I wasn't sure what to expect as I am not a big fan of white rum.

However the Neisson is awesome. Strong bold nose of cane sweetness then clear taste of cane with fruit on the palate. A bit of a burn at the end but not as bad as I had thought considering the ABV.

I then put 1 ice cube in and had a sip after 2-3 minutes...the ice cube made the rum more viscous and sharpened the palate while dulling the alcohol burn to almost nil.

I then put in 15 ml of Grantham's Mojito mix and I LOVED it...the mojito mix took care of the burn and made the cane palate stand out.

Definitely worth purchasing a case.......:)

[Tiare]

You cannot go wrong with a lovely agricole..:p and i think it will be even way better if you use fresh ingredients next time, then it`ll take you to drink nirvana...
Have you had a Ti Punch with this rum yet?

[Hank Koestner]

One of the best rhum agricole blancs. Once you try the Ti Punch, it will be the beginning of a long love affair.

[JMac]

Hi Tiare: not yet...I'm kind of reluctant as I seem to have trouble balancing the sweetness. I had a bottle of La Mauny blanc and one drink would be too sweet; the second would be not enough. Now mind you I can't find cane sugar around so the closest sugar I used was Barbados sugar; this maybe my problem as the two flavors don't seem to match up.

Hi Hank: I'm impressed with this one. The tasting descriptions I found online match exactly the rhum. And for a 100 proof un-aged rum I love its smoothness. This one goes on the "go out of my way to buy" list.

[Tiare]

Can you describe the Barbados sugar?

[Edward Hamilton]

Paul Pacult (http://spiritjournal.com/) voted Neisson Blanc (http://www.ministryofrum.com/rumdetails.php?r=521) his Best White Spirit of the Year in 2005. Considering that the category includes rum, vodka, gin, tequila and white whisky, it surprised even me.

In his latest book, Kindred Spirits, Paul rated Neisson Blanc in his top ten spirits in the world. Number 11 was La Favorite Rhum Agricole Vieux.

[Hank Koestner]

If you can't find pure sugar cane syrup, try making simple syrup with a high quality sugar. It will be an experiment for you to find the balance of sweetness you prefer. I like 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, depending upon the pour. You can also try honey, but it is a different taste.
As a matter of fact, I am going to go make one now!!

[Tiare]

Hank, you have me drooling for a TiPunch now..and i said to myself i wasn`t going to have another rum drink tonight after the gigantic tiki drink i just had..

[Hank Koestner]

It is Saturday my dear Tiare! Allow yourself to indulge a little. After all, we worked hard all week!
I just finished my Depaz Ti Punch, and now I will make one with Neisson!!

[JMac]

Tiare: Barbados sugar is brown in colour and course and granulated in appearance. It has a very sweet taste but I found that when I used it in a ti-punch, the flavors were at odds and not complimentary to one another. The drink wasn't bad just not as good as it good have been.

It irks me that I am having a hard time finding cane sugar as some restaurants have it in little packets for coffee. I might have to break down and go to a new health food store that just opened about 10 minutes from my place. Good products but they sure charge for it.

I'm definitely on the look out for La Favourite after tasting Neisson.

[Tiare]

It is Saturday my dear Tiare! Allow yourself to indulge a little. After all, we worked hard all week!
I just finished my Depaz Ti Punch, and now I will make one with Neisson!!

Don`t think for a sec that i will stay here just drooling for a ti punch and not making one! or two..or three..and five!

JMac: If i was you and i wanted dark sugar and none was found around to buy i would start searching EBay.

[Lew Barrett]

Anybody want to characterize the Neisson Eleve Sous Bois in contrast to the Blanc? I know...not precisely the same beasts, but I have a bottle of the former (Eleve) and I'm curious where it stacks up and how it compares to others in their line.

[JMac]

Anybody want to characterize the Neisson Eleve Sous Bois in contrast to the Blanc? I know...not precisely the same beasts, but I have a bottle of the former (Eleve) and I'm curious where it stacks up and how it compares to others in their line.

Funny you should mention this. I just tried Neisson ESB yesterday and it is quite different. I was shocked at smooth the ESB is compared to the blanc. I expected the ESB to be a similar to the blanc in boldness but it isn't.

I found the ESB to have a smooth oak/vanilla/fruit palate with minimal burn at the end. I put 1 ice cube in the glass and it toned down the oak taste and brought out the cane/vanilla and a spice flavour I can't quite describe.

Now I also happen to have obtained a bottle of Neisson Vieux. One word: SUPERB!. Light wood/tobacco/spice nose with the same in the palate along with (to me) the taste of dates and vanilla at the end. No need for ice cubes.

Definitely straight A's in my book. All 3 are now filed under "Must Haves" in my cabinet.

I do have one question re ESB. Are all ESB's this smooth? If I didn't know better beforehand, I would have thought the Neisson ESB was aged at least 4 years instead of 18 months.

[Edward Hamilton]

ESB is one of the names for rhum agricole from Martinique which aren't aged the three years it takes to be called rhum vieux, but not bottled without being aged and called rhum blanc. Some distillers use small barrels, others use large vats. In order to be called rhum vieux, the rhum must be aged in barrels of less than 650 liter capacity.

Neisson ESB is aged in large barrels made of new French Oak at this time. In the future I expect they will reuse these barrels but might have to age this rhum a little longer in order to achieve the same flavor profile.

The barrels used to aged Neisson ESB aren't toasted so this rhum lacks the smoky oak flavor typically found in older rhums.

[Lew Barrett]

Sounds like I need to get busy with my bottle of ESB. I wanted an agricole that was a good starter bottle and it sounds like I picked one.

[Tiare]

And i get curious about Neisson vieux..sounds like a need to put that on my "Must Haves"..;)

I wonder if i have it clear..how is the difference between the vieux and the ESB..is the vieux more spicy and the ESB more fruity?

[JMac]

to my palate (untrained) the ESB was more spicy and stronger wood notes. The vieux had the more fruit flavour.

The Neisson just re-enforces my desire to get my hands on some La Favourite. The descriptions of the La Favourite Blanc and Vieux are similar to Neisson Blanc and Vieux.

[Tiare]

These are 2 agricoles that i also want to try when i get a chance..i cannot exactly just walk down to a store and just buy them..as i did with Clиment vieux which is a very nice agricole. La Favorite blanc is what i would like to try first.

[robi]

These are 2 agricoles that i also want to try when i get a chance..i cannot exactly just walk down to a store and just buy them..as i did with Clиment vieux which is a very nice agricole. La Favorite blanc is what i would like to try first.

ciao to you all from Italy and sorry for my not so good english language!
last summer I went in martinica and visited these distilleries: neisson, la favorite, de paz, st. james (and it rhum museum) and stopped other visits because in martinica there are only 2 really artigianal distilleries: neisson and la favorite. they have their blanc and aged really too much good. All other are "industrial". and more... dillon has bought de paz and one of it big customer is air france! I tasted all rhum at la favorite (they have a 33 aged and 43 aged, I choose 33 aged) and clement (their blanc is the best!). they were very gentle (I don't speak french!) and we have nice time during the visit.

two year ago I visited guadeloupe and marie galante, visiting damoiseau in guadeloupe (not bad, I liked it) and poisson (pиre labat) in marie galante. they have only max 8 year aged rhum but it is very, very good.
in marie galante I had the opportunity to drink direclty from the cane the sugar juice of "blue cane" variety, better than "demerara" cane!

[Tiare]

Welcome to the forum! it must have been a wonderful trip! i have never been to any distillery yet but hope to be able to some day..

[Edward Hamilton]

last summer I went in martinica and visited these distilleries: neisson, la favorite, de paz, st. james (and it rhum museum) and stopped other visits because in martinica there are only 2 really artigianal distilleries: neisson and la favorite. they have their blanc and aged really too much good. All other are "industrial". and more... dillon has bought de paz and one of it big customer is air france! I tasted all rhum at la favorite (they have a 33 aged and 43 aged, I choose 33 aged) and clement (their blanc is the best!). they were very gentle (I don't speak french!) and we have nice time during the visit.
Welcome to the forums.

The Dillon distillery is closed but Dillon and Depaz are owned by the same company. Bottling for Depaz has been done at the Dillon facility for some time.
In Martinique 'Industriel' refers to rum made from molasses. But like robi mentions, the other distilleries are much more commercial since they are corporate and not family-owned.

[Hank Koestner]

Martinque and Guadaloupe are at the top of my list, if the dollar ever rebounds. I had planned to go in the spring, but may have to wait awhile.

I am lucky enough to have Blanc, ESB, and Vieux from La Favorite and Neisson. These are among my most favorite agricoles. I think the ESB has a nutty, slightly spicy flavor, and the rhum vieux has a little more wood. Both Niesson and La Favorite have unique flavor profiles, which are different.
If you aquire a type of each one, taste them side by side. They are both excellent.
I have Niesson XO, which is a blend up to 14 years old, and it is wonderful.

[Lew Barrett]

Last night I dug into my bottle of Neisson ESB after toying with a couple of my more standard, sweeter quaffs. The herbal, grassy notes were very pronounced in comparison. Now normally, the idea of drinking something grassy doesn't appeal to me, but for whatever reason, I really enjoyed it last night. Interesting, almost fresh and clean, I think I may be getting it. It was more than just "hot" which has been my reaction to this bottle so far. A lot of flavor and subtlety that wasn't there the last time I gave it a try.

[Hank Koestner]

These agricoles will grow on you, and I think you will find a place for them in your rum rotation. They are especially good during the summer, after work at 7-730, when it is still light out. Great before dinner. Have you tried a Ti Punch yet? The ESB makes a delicious one.

[Lew Barrett]

I haven't done a Ti yet. I'll get busy. Best recipe?

[Hank Koestner]

Pour 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sugar cane syrup or simple syrup in the bottom of a glass (rocks glass or the like).
Roll the lime on a hard surface before cutting , then cut a small wedge from the side of the lime.
Squeeze lime into syrup, then pour in your measure of rum, and stir.
Add a small amount of ice, if you wish.
You will find this and possibly other variations on the Ti Punch in the cocktails listing.

[Edward Hamilton]

Last night I dug into my bottle of Neisson ESB after toying with a couple of my more standard, sweeter quaffs. The herbal, grassy notes were very pronounced in comparison. Now normally, the idea of drinking something grassy doesn't appeal to me, but for whatever reason, I really enjoyed it last night. Interesting, almost fresh and clean, I think I may be getting it.

These 100 proof spirits are something that it takes some time to appreciate. I compare them to drinking some of the more flavorful single malt scotches which are bottled at more than 80 proof. Unlike 151 proof rums made from molasses which have only slightly more flavor than neutral spirits, these rhums are distilled to less than 145proof, aged and then bottled at 100 proof, the lower distillation proof and some time in wood render some very interesting flavors.

These rhums aren't for everyone, but then they don't try to be. When you compare a liter of 100 proof spirit you also have to realize that you have a lot more alcohol in your hand than in a 750ml bottle of 80 proof spirit. Actually 62% more alcohol. I was surprised when I did the math.

[Michael]

Hi Ed,

Isn't the additional alcohol in a full liter of 100 proof spirits a bit more than 62? A liter is 4/3 as big as a 750ml bottle and 100 proof is 5/4 as strong as 80 proof, so there is (4/3)(5/4) = 1 2/3 as much. That is 2/3 again as much alcohol, or over 66% more.

It seems that Rhum Agricole Blanc is quite a bargain.

BTW we found the Ti punch at Forbidden Island to be particularly delicious, with a wonderful fruity quality. Since Neisson Blanc was the first rum we encountered a few years ago (just lucky I guess) and Ti punch the first drink we mixed with it, it was obvious from the context that we were drinking La Favorite Blanc, a fact later confirmed. Luckily our local BevMo now stocks Neisson and La Favorite, albeit they only carry the two Blancs and the Neisson Reserve. It would be particularly nice, if they also carried the Ambre and ESB, as we'd love to try them in Ti Punch.

It was nice speaking at the Rum 201 tasting at FI last week. We hope that you make it out our way more often.

[Hank Koestner]

When I choose my rhum for a Ti Punch, I always struggle over the choice of amber or blanc. The amber Ti punches are that good.

[Tiare]

Hank, do like i do, make one with blanc and then one with amber or mix..:)

[Edward Hamilton]

Hi Ed,

Isn't the additional alcohol in a full liter of 100 proof spirits a bit more than 62? A liter is 4/3 as big as a 750ml bottle and 100 proof is 5/4 as strong as 80 proof, so there is (4/3)(5/4) = 1 2/3 as much. That is 2/3 again as much alcohol, or over 66% more.
It seems that Rhum Agricole Blanc is quite a bargain.

You are correct. I need to change my glasses, again. The number is 1.6625 or 66.25% and not 62.5% as I misread my calculator. Thanks for checking, I'm pretty good at numbers, but not perfect.



BTW we found the Ti punch at Forbidden Island to be particularly delicious, with a wonderful fruity quality. Since Neisson Blanc was the first rum we encountered a few years ago (just lucky I guess) and Ti punch the first drink we mixed with it, it was obvious from the context that we were drinking La Favorite Blanc, a fact later confirmed. Luckily our local BevMo now stocks Neisson and La Favorite, albeit they only carry the two Blancs and the Neisson Reserve. It would be particularly nice, if they also carried the Ambre and ESB, as we'd love to try them in Ti Punch.

It was nice speaking at the Rum 201 tasting at FI last week. We hope that you make it out our way more often.

BevMo, like every other chain in the country is a profit and demand based organization. The best way to get any store to stock something is to ask for it. Think back to when you were trying to get a date, the object of your desire didn't just jump into your arms, you had to ask. And after some rejection, you were rewarded. Large stores rarely stock the best products, they can't afford to have a large selection and have the best new products in the market. In time, they consistently want to offer the best selling products, but are rarely willing to take a chance on introducing new products to their customers or staff.

I'm planning a couple of rums events in the San Francisco Bay Area this year. The response to the FI Rum 201 event showed a couple of other rum producers that there needs to be more events of this type in California.

[JMac]

When I choose my rhum for a Ti Punch, I always struggle over the choice of amber or blanc. The amber Ti punches are that good.

I'm the same way but lately I have been favoring the blanc over the ESB. The blanc seems to be more tasteful and robust with more pronounced flavors.

[angelsword]

Last night I had my first tastes of a group of agricoles, including Neisson Blanc and ESB. While the Blanc very good, I felt that it was overshown by the richer sugarcane floral notes of La Favourite Blanc. However The Neisson ESB just moved to the top of my shortest short list of agricole essentials. Absolutely superb!

[Edward Hamilton]

Dan Hank and I had an opportunity to spend a few hours around a table of rum, I look forward to doing this again with other forum members.

[Lew Barrett]

I had a hard time selecting my first agricole, but settled on Neisson ESB after a few recommendations. In retrospect I think it was a good place to start.

[Hank Koestner]

Yes, it was quite an enjoyable evening with Ed and Dan, and the Temptryst rums I was able to taste were wonderful. Talk about two people with a wealth of knowledge!

I find that the unique flavor profiles between the Neisson and La Favorite agricoles will always make it difficult to choose which one I will have in my Ti Punch.

[angelsword]

Special Thanks to Hank and Ed for a marvelous evening of rum and rum discussion. Hank brought a selection of Agricole rums many of which I had not even heard, much less tasted. Ed brought a breadth of rums from la favourite and Neisson. I just had a few Temptryst rums and a selection of rums that were offered in Florida but that I had not seen in Texas.

[BarNowON]

I've just tasted for the 1st time Neisson "rhum agricole" in London at the distill spirit show.
When I first touched my lips with the amazing 100 proof, the sensation was spectacular. I then spoke with the lady responsible of the rum and she told me that the smoothest rum in her portfolio was the one with the higher in proof....

Really I asked myself :confused:, and I asked her if I could taste it...

She came back with the "Brut de colonne" [distilled to proof]....
The diamond clear baby was 140 proof.:eek:
The experience was unbelievable, and if you want to feel like traveling in a still build of satin, then this will have to be your dram.

Mick :D

[Tiare]

That was interesting! i love agricole and most of my agricoles are 100 proof. So this was a strong one..;) i have never heard of this one before.

Can you desribe the flavors?