The most prestigious vintage packaged in the famous pyramid bottle of the Bally distillery has benefited from aging in oak barrels for 12 years according to the traditional processes used for cognac. It is 45°.
This cuvée stands out for its intensity and the great complexity of its aromas. It expresses all the know-how and terroir of Martinique.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose is immediately dense and humid, like a tropical undergrowth. Among the exotic woody essences are curry spices and a green, resinous, juicy woodiness. There's also floral honey, lots of cane and pepper. The woodiness then becomes finer and more mature. It's rounder, with cinnamon and nutmeg. The more vegetal side is not forgotten, however, with cane straw rustling our nostrils. The alternation between freshness and ripeness continues, with candied fruit and prune returning to add roundness. A spicy cigar-box woodiness seems to offer a compromise.
Aeration finally brings out the rum's maturity. We now have dried fruit, fruit paste, and the rum is thick and well melted. The cane takes center stage, sublimated. This necessary opening revealed a superb rhum agricole, even if the balance took a while to arrive because of the ardor of a very vegetal green curry. We now enjoy the slightly candied citrus fruits and very ripe orange that sustain the power of this complex nose.
On the palate, the attack is peppery. This is followed by a huge wave of cane, with the golden liquid shimmering on the palate. Aromas of woody vanilla, dried fruit, candied fruit, roasted fruit and Morello cherry follow one another and blend into a very tasty rum.
A long, complex finish of brandied fruit, cane and mellow oak. A little cane straw and tobacco linger on the palate.
"This rhum agricole is best enjoyed with the time and attention it deserves..."