(Image Source: Rhum JM)

The Martinique Rhum JM is reviving a tradition we don't see enough of these days - the La Dame Jeanne. The La Dame Jeanne or also called the Demijohn, are glass vessels that feature an outsized body with a narrow Saber neck.

Rhum JM is unveiling a new limited edition series known as the La Dame Jeanne, with the first cuvee featuring a blend of cask strength rums of specific vintages, selected by JM's Cellar Master, Karine Lassalle.

A popular story of the iconic glass vessel goes as such - In 1347, the Queen Jane (la “Reine Jeanne”) was forced our of her kingdom and had gone to take refuge in Provence, in the south of France. As she walked through the towns of Grasse and Draguigan, she found herself caught in a thunderstorm and quickly took shelter in a small castle belonging to a glass blower in the hamlet of Saint Paul la Galline Grasse.

A La Dame Jeanne or also known as a Demijohn. (Image Source: Behind The French Menu)

As the night went on, the Queen asked the gentlemanly glass blower how he had crafted his fine glassware. Yet, as he grew nervous presenting his craft to royalty, he incidentally overdid his blowing through his cane, resulting in an enormous bottle with a narrow neck. Ironically this glass vessel caught him much admiration and he began to produce such big flasks for the towns people. He thus wanted to name the vessel "Reine Jeanne" or "Queen-Jane" in gratitude to the Queen for her part in his creation of the oddly shaped vessel. However, the Queen asked for the vessel to be named "Dame Jeanne" or "Lady Jane" instead. The glass vessel is typically dressed in a wicker to protect the oblong bottle.

Demijohns are typically covered in a hand-braided wicker to protect the bottle as they are used to store fine spirits for decades. (Image Source: Gautier Cognac)

It was traditionally used in many countries to house fine spirits such as Cognac. It is alternatively called the Tourie or Bonbonne in several parts of France, Carboy in America and even Garabah in Persian, which is translated to the words "big jug".

Rhum JM is tucked away in Martinique and famously uses sugar cane harvested on volcanic soil which gives its rhums a unique flavor. (Image Source: Rum Porter)

"A perfect balance between the fruity notes of the nose and the subtle spices of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg enhanced by notes of cocoa beans for the structure and blond tobacco for an incomparable volume."

The first edition of Rhum JM's La Dame Jeanne series will feature a blend of rums from 6 to 15 years old, from the following vintages:

Vintage 2004 (15 years old, 11.8%, US Bourbon oak barrel),

Vintage 2005 (15 years old, 12.7%, US Bourbon oak barrel),

Vintage 2009 (11 years, 6.5%, US Bourbon oak barrel)

Vintage 2013 (7 years, 16%, FR Château Longue M oak barrel),

Vintage 2013 (7 years, 16.5%, FR Trolong oak barrel Mondot), and

Vintage 2014 (6 years, 36.5%, FR Tremeaux M+ oak barrel)

The bottle itself will be dressed in Rhum JM's colors and is accompanied by a wooden display case. A total of 2,501 bottles will be released at an RRP of 190 EUR, each bottled at 48.3% ABV.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot