Bielle 2003

Finally a note on a rum from Bielle… It was high time given the consistent quality of this distillery. Even if we have already talked about the 'Libération' rums and the RhumRhum distillery (association of Velier, Capovilla and Bielle), which is located on the premises of Bielle. Trip to Marie-Galante in the company of a vintage rum, and cask strength if you please…

Price : from 65 to 90€ to give a fairly wide price range, 70cl and a natural degree of 53.1° for the bottle tasted. It should be noted that the degree can vary significantly depending on the bottling batch.

Age : 8 years, distilled in 2003 and aged in oak barrels to be bottled in 2011 at natural strength and without filtration, an authentic rum.

Here is a distillery that despite a distant past dating back to the 18th century, only started making rum in the 1900s (early 20th century). Its production was then stopped at the end of the Second World War, and until Dominique Thierry, the current owner of the distillery, decided to revive the place to produce rum again in the 1970s. We will come back to older vintages next time, but here is this rum from 2003.

The nose is greedy and full of exoticism, sugar cane, candied fruits, pineapple and banana with an assumed sweetness that recalls a bouquet amplified by a seductive and penetrating smell . Reminiscent of gingerbread for a delicacy that is now warmer. Very beautiful control, and an impressive accuracy worthy of the greatest rums.

The kind of rum that makes you forget all the disappointments in the world, like a bearer of hope and love. And what richness… orange, liquorice, anise, a smoky side too. And I love this nose that caramelizes, that crystallizes with aeration: it is always so gourmand, seductive, the exotic fruits are roasted, the spices lightly grilled, and a pepper just roasted.

And all this voluptuousness, now transcended by vanilla, and seized by the freshness of a lime zest jealously warmed in the palm of a wet hand. A nose to melt the eternal snows of the highest peaks. More than a rum, a poem.

The kind of experience already lived and which often materializes in a rather powerful and peppery mouth. Here the more than 50° go wonderfully well, on the edge of indecency so well integrated is the alcohol, all in lightness to better sting to the quick?

The attack is oily, rich and so concentrated : liquorice floods the mouth, citrus fruits, orange at the top and spices that return, evoking orange gingerbread, the nuns of our childhood; then ginger, pepper and this sugar cane, an integral part of the mature and swollen, opulent mouth. As for the nose, we are here entitled to an exemplary aromatic accuracy and an exquisite concentration sublimated by the natural degree of the rum.

The release of this rum is very long , always on this liquorice, citrus fruits and sugar cane. Without any apparent false note with a nice return of spices and more particularly on a slightly peppery and warm note. It's simple, we only have one desire, to serve ourselves again and continue tasting to find a fault.

This is the kind of rum that should give ideas to other distilleries and serve as an example to them, make them think about cask strength and all that rum has to gain from it. So yes, you need a product of impeccable quality and rely on bottling in smaller quantities, but a little audacity would be welcome. Exposing your rums is surely a delicate task for many…

Like a Proust madeleine, this rum evokes a part of everyone's childhood. Simplicity in its purest and noblest state, made with impressive precision. Bravo Bielle and thank you for this excellence so often present. And an excellent quality/price ratio, what more can I say? Rating: 87.5

To help you (and me) find your way around, regarding the notes:

90 and + : exceptional and unique rum, it is the best of the best
between 85 and 89 : highly recommended rum, with that little something that makes the difference
between 80 and 84 : recommendable rum
75-79 POINTS : above average
70-74 POINTS : in the low average
less than 70 : not very good

Review courtesy of DuRhum.com.

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