This vertical brings together ten vintages of Saint James, selected by Velier to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Martinique AOC. The series pays tribute to Jean-Claude Benoît, one of the founders of the AOC in 1996 and long-time general director of Saint James. A perfect opportunity to explore two decades of agricole rum, distilled and bottled in Martinique, and to observe how the Saint James style has evolved over time. From 6yo to 21yo, 100% tropical aging. Ex-Bourbon. Let’s go!
Saint James 2015 VSGB 6yo 47%
Colour: Orange with golden lights. Heavy, irregular tears.
Nose: Delicate vanilla notes, enhanced by zesty earthy scents. Vivid citrus on tangerine juice. Vegetal impressions on hay and tomato leaf. Unmistakably sugarcane-based.
Palate: Obvious soap aromas, followed by a delicate fruitiness on lychee and young apricot. Slightly honeyed. It ends on white pepper, coriander and freshly cut parsley.
Last Notes: A few malted notes with air. More tea-ish notes, something between breakfast tea and rooibos. On the palate, it remains soapy, with white pepper in the background.
Funky and elegant nose, but too much soapiness for my taste. (Nose: 87 | Palate: 79+ )
82+/100
Saint James 2014 VSGB 7yo 47%
Colour: Amber, gold lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Vivid citrus notes. Very similar entrance to 2015, except for extra tea-ish shades and more earthy Martinique character. Briny background.
Palate: Candied citrus and fresh sugarcane juice. Herbal notes on basil and fennel. Slightly soapy, nothing like 2015. Ample earthy notes on yuzu. It ends on Sichuan pepper and cardamom.
Last Notes: Warm spice with air (caraway, paprika). A bit minty. Back on the palate, a mix of citrus and earthy tones. It ends on liquid thyme and rosemary.
Classic kind of agricole rum. Not average, it owns a bold DNA.
85/100
Saint James 2012 VSGB 9yo 47%
Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Balsamic and bitter at first, on red vermouth and sage-infused oil. Fresh apricot and floral notes on honeysuckle and rosewater.
Palate: Oily, almost olive-oil-like texture. Jasmine, rosewater, candied ginger and fresh tarragon. A tad soapy again, like its two predecessors.
Last Notes: Toasted notes appear with air (coffee bean), plus zesty shades. On the palate, apricot liqueur and floral tones.
A bit imprecise, but interesting and evolving nicely in the glass.
84/100
Saint James 2010 VSGB 11yo 47%
Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Refined and herbal, on hay, basil and apricot jam. Hints of cedarwood, deep oak scents and subtle sugariness.
Palate: Full of lychee and rosewater aromas. Ample jasmine notes. Infused bay leaf and soft anise, with earthy depth.
Last Notes: Precious wood and honeyed tones. Vine peach and candied pear.
Well-balanced and precise, though I miss a bit of depth.
87+/100
Saint James 2008 VSGB 13yo 47%
Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Full of gentian and anise. Rosemary/apricot jam (if you haven’t tried this combination yet, well…), a surprising but delicious mix. Black olive tapenade, roasted thyme, candied carrot, quince liqueur.
Palate: Stunning entrance on vivid tangerine juice. Baked apple with Christmas spices. Borderies-like brightness with floral aromas (jasmine, rosewater, violet syrup) and heathery shades. I really like the balance between earthiness, fruitiness, and oak structure here.
Last Notes: With air, the nose turns rich and woody, with tea-ish tones and a bright tropical fruitiness (mango, banana, tinned peach). And still this floating young (10/12yo) Borderies impression.
Very precise and elegant. My favorite among the first six rums.
89/100
Saint James 2006 VSGB 15yo 47%
Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Precious wood, nutty notes, and elegant oak structure. Quince, tinned peach. Fresh rancio on cardamom and walnut kernel. Kind of 15yo pineau shades with this fruitiness/rancio in-between.
Palate: Oily texture. Subtle dryness, immediately followed by delicious raisin notes. Precious wood notes again. Licorice stick. Extreme finesse on cooked herbal shades, mainly on tarragon and thyme. It owns a rustic/refined profile that you can find with very old Fins Bois/Bons Bois, even if it’s unmistakably sugarcane-based.
Last Notes: Old Maury wine character, smooth fruity sweetness. A touch of pineapple and mango with air. Back on the palate: almond paste, pain aux raisins, and a hint of saltiness.
Even more precise than the 2008 vintage. Perfect oak integration. Dangerous drinkability. Delicate earthiness. Depth. Almost designed for a cognac lover’s palate.
90/100
Saint James 2004 VSGB 17yo 47%
Colour: Dark amber, red lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Bold oaky rancio with light esters in the background. Balsamic notes and floral potpourri. Strong tannins, orange blossom and candied lemon.
Palate: Heavy tannins, cigar notes, dark chocolate bitterness. Fruitiness on papaya and guava, slightly masked by the oak.
Last Notes: Overripe plum and faint Jamaican ester touch. Ends on coconut and nutty bitterness.
Beautiful, heady nose, but too unbalanced on the palate.
86/100
Saint James 2002 VSGB 19yo 47%
Colour: Mahogany, red lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Vine peach, candied citrus, bold tannins, hints of dark chocolate and brine. Rotten tomato and tabasco notes in the background.
Palate: Vine peach again, slightly briny, with faint esters. Monolithic agricole profile, slightly soapy aftertaste.
Last Notes: Heady kirsch, sweet fruitiness reminiscent of Jurançon wine. Even more soapy now.
Fruity and vivid but unbalanced, with excessive oak and tannins. And I’m not very familiar with putting grated soap in my risotto.
80/100
Saint James 2000 VSGB 21yo 47%
Colour: Mahogany, red lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Dusty, earthy tones. Precious wood, candied citrus, balsamic hints, licorice sweets.
Palate: Classic earthiness. Candied citrus followed by fresh spices: anise, clove, and zan. Heavy tannins, cask-driven, and I clearly miss the 2006 vintage balance. However, you still get a refined tea-ish aftertaste on breakfast tea.
Last Notes: Earthy with air. Dark chocolate, sawdust, bright fruit (tinned pear, cider apple). Ends on honey, quince liqueur, and violet sweets.
Well balanced and quite precise. A nice one for sure, but I miss a bit of fun with this venerable agricole rum.
88/100
Saint James 1998 VSGB 20yo 47%
Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Heavy irregular tears.
Nose: Bright, honeyed profile. Deep floral notes and precious wood. Vivid tangerine, saffron and cinnamon. Magnificent nose.
Palate: Licorice stick, sesame seed, fresh bread dough. Toasted notes of ristretto and walnut.
Last Notes: Apricot and peach fruitiness, nutty rancio, oxidized port, and walnut wine. Ends on vanilla, candied lemon, and a touch of briny olive.
Subtle, elegant, and a perfect oak structure. A top-notch French Indies rum.
89+/100
Across the flight, the signature Martinique earthiness and citrus-driven freshness remain, proof that agricole rum identity endures through time and wood. Various qualities and balances, but an undeniable unique DNA.
A few SV reviews about these VSGB
0 comments on “Ten Saint James in a row”Add yours →