Saint James Cuvée L‘Essentiel

Cuvée L‘Essentiel offers a woody nose and balanced palate with dark chocolate and spices, showcasing refinement but perceived as overpriced by some enthusiasts.

8.4  / 10  (35 reviews)

Refined, woody, and spicy with balanced depth.

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    How does this rum taste?

    • Sophisticated aroma profile
    • Rich, balanced flavor
    • High-quality presentation

    The Cuvée L‘Essentiel, from the Saint James distillery in Martinique, is a sophisticated rum distilled from sugar cane juice using a column still and aged for 12 years. It exhibits a woody aroma with undertones of cherry, mocha, and toasted notes, and a complex flavor profile marked by dark chocolate, pepper, cinnamon, and a balanced finish. Users liken the rum's profile to a blend of vintages from 1998, 2000, and 2003, aged in bourbon casks. While lauded for its refined profile and execution, some find its price slightly prohibitive. Overall, it is a celebrated offering in the rhum agricole category, known for its depth and quality presentation.

    Aroma

    Woody Cherry Toasted Fruity

    Taste

    Woody Chocolate Peppery Cinnamon

    How is this rum rated?

    8.4  / 10  (35 reviews)
    Top 31% Martinique
    Top 25% Saint James

    "This is an exceptional Rhum from Saint James. It’s a blend of the vintages of 1998, 2000 and 2003 all of them aged for over 12 years in small bourbon casks. I can really recommend it, even though the average price is a little high at around €180."

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    9.2 / 10
    Review by: Stefan Persson

    "Dans le même contexte que la cuvée Quintessence, cette cuvée L’Essentiel peut laisser perplexe à la vue de la bouteille. Le nez est vif, fruité (pruneau, cerise, eau de vie de fruits), assez boisé et chocolaté. Les arômes d’épices, de toast et de canne à sucre fondent bien au jus. Un nez sec, rond et agréable. L’attaque en bouche est maîtrisée. Les épices (cannelle, poivre, vanille) et le bois prennent le dessus, suivis des fruits secs (pruneau), des noix, du chocolat et de la canne à sucre. L’ensemble est rond et gouleyant, mais il aurait été plus intéressant avec quelques degrés supplémentaires. La finale est très sombre et sèche, avec le bois, les fruits secs, les noix torréfiées, les épices, le cuir et les tanins. Un bon Saint James sur le papier, mais si classique qu’il ne surprendra personne. Le syndrome de la jolie carafe frappe encore, car le jus ne vaut pas le prix payé, malgré des qualités indéniables."

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    7.9 / 10
    Review by: TheRhumhoe

    "I also sampled this rum at the Rum Regatta in Flensburg and a bottle ended up in my shopping bag. I really like the rums from Saint James, so I wasn't surprised by the quality of this one. The nose is fruity and woody with spices, chocolate and light coffee. The palate is well balanced and complex with wood, lots of fruits, spices and chocolate. I can't decide if its warm or peppery. The finish is medium long with roasted wood, spices and dried fruit. Try to leave the empty glass for a few hours and then whif it. F"

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    8.8 / 10
    Review by: Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰

    "Very good but lacks a little pep."

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    8.3 / 10
    Review by: Maxime Leclerc 🇨🇵
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    Expert reviews

    Details about this rum

    Country
    Distillery
    RumX ID
    RX1703
    ABV
    43%
    Category
    Rhum Agricole AOC
    Made from
    Sugar cane juice
    Distillation
    Column Still
    Age
    12 years
    Bottle volume
    70cl
    Price range
    <250€
    Type of spirit
    Rum
    Saint James 12yr &nbsp; 43% Cuvée L‘Essentiel

    How is the price of this rum developing?

    The RumX community has already added 70 bottles to their collections:

    closed
    62
    opened
    5
    emptied
    3
    Open rate
    11%
    Ø Market value
    132€

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    What people are saying

    About the Saint James distillery

    The Saint James distillery is located in Martinique. Rums from Saint James have been reviewed 3,945 times with an average of 8.1/10.


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