Saint James Reserve Privee 12-Year

Beautiful amber color with clingy legs, running slowly down the glass, after a swirl. The nose is very fruity with ripe, black grapes and prunes, a hint of dark chocolate and a slightly rubbery character. Love it. Reminds me a bit of red wine. Sipping it, I pick up grassy notes of grapes, chocolate and a bit of roasted coffee beans and oak. A very fresh and "juicy" taste. The dryness on the finish is gentler then most french rum, and I find this a very good introduction to agricole.

Having 43% of alcohol the rum stands out of the line for the first time. The rum is light brown, the aroma when nosing being dominated plums and roasted coffee plus for me an unidentified fresh grassy aroma, sending my thoughts somewhere in the sugarcane fields. On the lips is then slightly aggressive, then smooth with a pleasant throat.

After tasting another agricole rums the same day, I came to the understanding that the strange grassy aroma is typical for all agricole rums, and thus these rums found a way into my rum-heart.

C'est un de mes rhums favoris: j'adore les notes de fruits secs!

Les bouteilles ne ressemblent plus à celle de la photo; ce sont des bouteilles transparentes semblables au 7 ou 15 ans d'âge.

A very good agricole, full of flavor and smooth, easy to sip and makes a great punch vieux.

Light Amber color. It runs slowly down the glass. It is fruity with a hint of chocolate. It has a fresh juicy taste and dry on the finish.

Great nose, sourness that develops into tropical fruit. A bit dry.

One of my first Agricole rums, good nose, body and long aftertaste

Visited the Saint James distillery while in Martinique. Comprehensive distillery tour ended with a full open bar. Saint James 12y was priced at EUR 38 at the distillery. Pretty nice bottle and label design. Bright golden color. Traditional super dry Rhum Agricole flavors over powered by very strong oak. A lot of burn at the end. Rhum Agricole lovers, add 2 points.

Tested it together with the 15yo and I think I like this better because the oaky taste is more balanced in this one.
It’s a great Agricole that’s very smooth and well balanced. You can feel grassy and fruity notes.
Picture: My Saint James shelf.

Pleasant nose, but too much of an oak taste for me - almost bitter - and the alcohol is very present.