Saint James XO Très Vieux Rhum Agricole

 "La pépite de la soirée ?! A balancer avec le 15. On est clairement sur autre chose. En resume, mes notes de degutation : Au nez : Boisé, Fruité, Canne à sucre En bouche : Boisé, Caramel, Épicé, Pruneaux La finale plutot orientee vers : Boisé, Caramel, Épicé"

 After visiting Martinique (and Guadaloupe) now for the third time, mostly due to my passion for Agricole rhum, and not just after having tasted all XO’s but visiting every single distillery there, I can say that unless you are in your heart primarily a Whisky drinker, this product is bad and by far the worst of the XO’s from this beautiful island. Completely unbalanced, just too much barrel. There is of course more than the barrel that I taste, but this does not come natural and easy since I have really to concentrate to feel what is behind. Actually, my first impression was positive, I felt a saltiness, that I never have witnessed in a agricole rhum. Since when I drink whisky I am seeking that Scottish Islay maritime taste we were off to a good start until those external notes became too dominantly penetrating, from start to finish. Rum, especially from cane juice is something extremely filigran, traditionally cognac barrels were used in the French Rhum paradise, since cognac is itself filigrane the marriage comes almost natural. When you age with bourbon/whisky you have to be careful not to overpower, most distilleries manage to influence enrich the starting product just enough without distorting it. It’s a pity they didn’t do it right, as if done properly saltiness could potentially add something excitingly new to our agricole micro-cosmos. This is a completely unusual product that either is a mistake by screwing the aging process or an calculated agenda to attract drinkers from the vastly bigger whisky market over to drink rum. Depaz XO is the clear number 1 from Martinique but costs unless you bring it from Martinique with you. Dillon XO is a more well-rounded and also cheaper option. Cigar/tobacco recommendation: a Cuban cigar with enough body can take some of edge off the rum.

 A Saint James offering very good value for money. The nose is expressive, oscillating between fruity and vegetal notes (sugar cane), a hint of herbs and spices and a very elegant woodiness for its age. Spice and wood take center stage on the palate, but the earthy, slightly toasty side is not far behind. The whole is soft, light but quite complex for an XO. The finish is a little shorter, dominated by spice and wood. A solid entry-level bottle for agricultural rums, especially in the XO category.

 Ich erkenne nichts Besonderes.

 This is a light version of the older brothers. Fruity with a nice caramel hint in the profile. Lightly dry on the palate and the empty glass has some chocolate and a light smoky note.

 Very good agricole. Lacks in complexity.

 Tolles PLV, super Einsteiger in Agricoles

 The nose is heavy in fruity notes with some sugar cane/caramel and chocolate. The nose seems rounder and smoother compared to the younger Saint James rums, as the citrus and smokiness is weaker. In the mouth then again dry and spicy (typical Agricole), with fruit and caramel hanging on. Overall a bit smoother here as well. I especially like the fruit and chocolate.

 Clearly more balanced than the VSOP. Fruit comes through better. Lots of sugar cane and also earthy notes and some caramel sweetness on the palate. With dry finish, very decent Agricole standard quality.

 7,5:The nose immediately takes us into a vegetal notes, caramel, smokiness, after that with moist wood loaded with powerful aromas of exotic fruits and spices. The cane juice is totally candied, but also studded with woody tannins, resin and red fruits.Aeration brings a breath of fresh air and the fruits of the orchard shine through, even floral notes with elderflower. The pear, for example, reveals its delicate aromas and silky flesh, covered by a light caramel, iodine with hints of coffee. 7,3:The palate is nicely spicy, minty and tannic, the cane is fresh, vegetal. Peaches are in front of a few lime peels, spiciness is screaming loud, numbs the tasting buds sometimes, uncovering the volcanique notes, some minimal bitterness, drieness with wood and Bourbon and red fruits notes. Really intense. 7,5:The finish brings us woody roundedness, some lime peel stays, with lots of melted sweet spices and pepper.

 My current slapper rum. Excellent price to quality (bought for 38€).

 A nose that displeased me enormously and too much wood. Really not a success.

 A light citrus nose. Then barique, wood but not too much. A little spice and a hint of aniseed. Relatively well-balanced. Lacks a touch of sweetness. Not unpleasant, but I probably won't be back 😅

 Un vrai agricole puissant et riche en saveur. Une bonne introduction dans cette gamme de rhum Martiniquais.

 Interesting nose, slightly funky but not Jamaican. Taste is entirely different, oaky and like an American bourbon/rye. Very drying mouthfeel. Good as a whiskey-ish drink but not enough of a rum distinctiveness on the taste. Better than a bunch of bourbons tho.