Amongst @velierspa’s Elliott Erwitt Edition Magnum Series #1 is, for the first time in its 257 years of history, an independent bottling of @rhum_saintjames that is not bottled in its iconic rectangular glass bottles, but instead in that familiar dark-tinted bottles we so often associate with Velier.

Saint James rhums needs little introduction, having been distilling fresh cane juice agricole rhum at Habitation du Trou Vaillant, located at the foot of Mount Pelée in Martinique since 1765. Since then, much has changed, from its acquisition by Remy Cointreau and the moving of its distillery to Sainte-Marie in 1973, to obtaining the AOC Martinique in 1996, and eventually its acquisition by La Martiniquaise in 2003.

This particular rhum is a blend of the 2004 and 2006 vintages, distilled through its creole column stills and aged entirely in Martinique for 15 years, as required by AOC regulations. If you were wondering why it is labeled as a 15-year-old rhum despite having liquid from 2004 and bottled in 2021, it is standard practice to use the youngest component as the age indicator for blended spirits. The blend is then reduced to 45% before bottling, resulting in an outturn of 600 bottles.

It has a very pleasant nose which comes with layers and layers of aromatics, chocolates, as many agricoles do, citrus, ripe yellow mangoes, a hint of preserved sour plums or San Pellegrino Chinotto for those who may be unfamiliar with the former. Its rather dense and treacly, caramel, a sense of warmness that appeals to you even if its a hot tropical day like it is today as I am tasting it.

On the palate, this one is rather unique when compared to other Saint James rhums, being much less fruity or bright when compared to others that I’ve had. The initial palate is rather sweet, caramel, slight baking spices, a nice creamy texture that would sit well with most. In the middle is where the age starts to show, slightly grippy on the sides, the vegetal and oaky notes coupled with milk coffee, and a dab of citrus. The finish is long, pleasant really, and is where you find liquorice, a bit of leather, reminding me so much of a Port Mourant, milk chocolates, and raisins to end it off.

I will say that this bottle along with the Mount Gay of the Elliott Erwitt series were the standouts, both layered with so many flavours and tasting notes, and showcasing some very unique liquid characteristics from distilleries that we thought we were so familiar with.

Image Courtesy of @weixiang_liu