Bellevue Kill Devil Guadeloupe 1998

Cross-tasting from the Kill Devil, Milano Festival and TRC anniversary. All three need a lot of time in the glass to develop their aromas. The Kill Devil is more on the dark side. Barrel and wood aromas are clearly present, but not unpleasant. They are not overpowering. All three also have very well integrated alcohol. For me, the Milano is my favorite. The TRC and Kill Devil are almost on a par

Limited to a mere 277 bottles, this is another good one from the Kill Devil release.The nose is like a typical Caroni with the rubber and fruitiness from tropical fruits. There is a bite from the alcohol from the start, which dissipates if you leave it for 15-30 minutes.The palate is nicely balanced where the spices are dominant. Nice curtains on the glass and creamy in the mouth with a bit of saltiness.The finish is long with caramel and salt.

Nose In just one breath the mind presses the rewind button and carries you back into a dim oriental harem, where your nose is charmed by hundreds of exotic scents. While you are relaxing in that noble chair of precious cedar and sandalwood and enjoying a coup of moroccan Nana mint tea, the nose is charmed by clouds of burnt myrrh, incense, vermouth and camphor. Next to you, someone's puffing shisha tobacco from Egypt and passes you a huge peace of dark chocolate from Guadeloupe. What a truly luxury and complex treatment! With water: Becoming more leavy, herbal and earthy now. We can't help but think of Gardel for a wee moment. Palate Welcome to the chocolate factory! All kinds of cocoa products, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate and salted nougat are sizzling on the tongue. Not to forget about the pieces of dried oranges, lemons and a few mint leaves in it. The texture is silky and smooth, whilst the liquid is medium bodied and the alcohol perfectly integrated. With water: More sweetness is coming up through a lot of milk chocolate. Finish Consistent with the french saying 'partir, c'est mourir un peu' we miss a bit of duration with this finish. But that heavy cocoa note with citrus peels is just lovely and makes you wanting it to last forever.

Compared to the other Bellevue 98s in the cross-tasting, the alcohol is noticeable, but not disturbing. It has more depth than the somewhat flatter Royal Cane bottling, for example. The KD is beautifully fruity with notes of redcurrants, some cherry, wood and spices. For me, a very good '98 bottling, only beaten by the KD version matured for 20 years.

This one comes right over spicy woody in the nose. Dry vanilla powder, toasty and even smoky. But also fruity with the sweetness of dried plum and the acidity of currant, some cherry is also there. Fresh mint and some chocolate out the back.Also on the palate this delicious spiciness and woodiness that immediately transitions into grassy sweet sugar cane. I got a slight chocolate note here as well. And immediately again the mint. In fruit I find dried apricot. Vanilla and anise are also present.In the finish sugar cane, anise and mintVery successful and delicious.

Bislang bin ich mit Agricole noch nicht so wirklich warm geworden, daher wurde es mal wieder Zeit für ein kleines Crosstasting. 1. RX7238 (Neisson Full Proof): Insgesamt mehr auf der frischen/fruchtigen Seite. Alkohol sehr gut eingebunden -> 8,5/10. 2. RX10968 (St. James V&B): Hier gefällt mir besonders die Nase mit der dezenten Klebstoff-Note, trop. und getr. Früchten. Am Gaumen dann deutlich würziger/röstiger und leicht bitter -> 8,6/10. 3. (RX1146) La Mauny: An der Nase recht süß, mit sehr viel Karamell, ger. Nüssen und Vanille. Am Gaumen initial eine florale Note, danach dominieren Gewürze und Holz -> 8,5/10. 4. RX2216 (Kill Devil Bellevue 1998): An der Nase Minze, Schokolade und etwas Rauch. Am Gaumen ebenfalls Schokolade und Minze, dazu Holz, Karamell, etwas trop. Früchte und Leder. Hat mir geschmacklich am besten gefallen. -> 8,7/10. 5. RX6221 (Karukera Velier 70th): Für mich an der Nase am "agricolsten". Im Gegensatz zu den anderen Vertretern im Tasting kann ich hier direkt an der Nase ausmachen, dass es sich um ein Agricole handelt. Typische frische, grasige Noten, Zuckerrohr und leider auch eine leicht modrige Note mache ich aus. Auch am Gaumen für mich ziemlich floral/blumig/grasig. -> 7,9/10

Ein weiterer sehr guter Vertreter aus der Reihe der 98iger Bellevues. Auch hier das charakteristische Profil mit Kräutern, eine angenehmen Würze und etwas Süße. Der Rum ist sehr ausgewogen, Alkohol perfekt eingebunden und der Abgang ist laaaang. So muss das!

A very round balanced Bellevue 1998. Lots of barrel influence with great roasted flavors. Seems concentrated. Alcohol very well integrated. For me a very tasty rum, which can be explored but also not too demanding. I like it very much.

Really interesting sample! It balances well fresh minty notes with red fruits (cherries) and sweeter touch (cocoa, caramel). Really worth it if you can grab a bottle at decent price ;)