Bielle Brut de Fût 2012 batch 2 53.7° C

Bielle Brut de Fût 2012 batch 2 is a new nugget to emerge from the cellars of this fine distillery in Madeira. This rum comes from a unique, well-preserved terroir, providing rich, rustic cane. It has been aged for almost 8 years in bourbon and sweet white wine casks.

This second bottling, released in 2020, follows that of 2018. The latter was 54.6°; the extra two years of ageing will have given the angels a little more alcohol...

This brut de fût (unreduced, natural degree) rum has never been filtered. So it retains all its authentic flavours.

As this rum is becoming rare, we have decided to limit purchases to one unit per customer. Thank you for your understanding.

Nico's tasting notes

The nose is dry at first, revealing toasty wood that needs a little light. It quickly opens up to vegetal aromas that are both dried and rather fresh. Pulling back the thread, the day dawns on a fruit tree, its branches still leafy and full of just-ripe fruit.

With aeration, the candied cane juice begins to take hold of the rum. It's so concentrated that it's sticky and overpowering. It mingles with summer fruit juices, such as yellow peach and apricot. The backdrop is a toasty woodiness in the company of a handful of toasted cereals.

The palate is initially fruity, with ripe pears, mirabelle plums and ripe white grapes. As if tasting jam straight from the pan, you're overwhelmed by the concentrated, sticky fruit, then seized by intense heat. There's no burn, just a surge of spice that warms the palate and reveals a peppery, slightly sulphurous woodiness.

The finish is gourmand, with cane juice that has become licorice, and resin notes that take us back to fruit trees.

"Despite its slightly shy appearance at first glance, this Bielle will generously warm your heart..."

By comparison, the Bielle 2012 batch 1 has the same slightly dry nose. But it relaxes more quickly, less gradually. Notes of jammy fruit are common to both bottlings, although batch 2 incorporates more cane juice. On the palate, Batch 1 has a fresh, vegetal edge, while Batch 2 is more woody. Both share a nice warmth. Finally, the finish of Batch 1 is undoubtedly a little simpler, though tasty.