Saint James Vieux 7 ans 43° (43° proof)

Seven long years have enabled Saint-James Vieux 7 ans to develop into a highly interesting cuvée for tasting.
Its ageing in small oak casks has enabled it to extract the essence of the wood that makes up the barrel.

The total evaporated volume, also known as the angels' share, reaches 35%, giving the rum a fine concentration of aromas that can be enjoyed rather dry.

Nico's tasting notes

In brief: warm - spicy cane - toasty woodiness - vanilla

Here's a dashing, sparkling nose that jumps happily to the nostrils and makes you smile. With a few reinforcements of solvent and other "industrial" notes, it imposes its vigor and sustained fire. The frame of the rhum agricole is there, quietly falling into place, with that continuous breath in the background. The cane is elegant, and has held up well over these 7 years. It has chiselled the woody notes, chosen the finest spices and picked the most delicate botanicals. Then she finely wove this garment to let it shine through today.
With a little aeration, the notes of the barrel and the passage of time really come to the fore. The aromas that spread and cling to the rim of the glass are part and parcel of an aged rum. It's all about the wood, of course, but also all the spices and nuts it contains. Vanilla and its halo of sweetness hang in the air, along with a slight oxidized wineiness.

On the palate, the wood makes a remarkable entrance, its thick grain literally melting on the taste buds and turning into a nutty paste. With the palate gripped, we're at the mercy of whatever the rum wants to give us. The surface of the wood has been well roasted, releasing fairly dry coffee aromas. Then the fresh cane goes deeper and comes up with young, fresh, tender wood. The cane juice has passed through the wood fibers, infusing itself with the resin.

On the finish, the cane takes us back to the identity of a fresh, fruity, peppery rhum agricole. The long finish is particularly well-balanced.

"A classic! From its simplicity to its richness to its price, this rum has it all..."