Saint James XO Très Vieux Rhum Agricole

Review by TheJackDrop

Most helpful positive review

TheJackDrop

Oct 20241,038 reviewsFrance

8.2/10

"The nugget of the evening? Swing with the 15. We're clearly on to something else. To sum up, my degustation notes: Nose: Woody, Fruity, Sugarcane Taste: Woody, Toffee, Spicy, Prunes Finish: Woody, Caramel, Spicy".

Review by Isidor B.

Most helpful critical review

After visiting Martinique (and Guadaloupe) now for the third time, mostly due to my passion for Agricole rhum, and not just after having tasted all XO’s but visiting every single distillery there, I can say that unless you are in your heart primarily a Whisky drinker, this product is bad and by far the worst of the XO’s from this beautiful island. Completely unbalanced, just too much barrel. There is of course more than the barrel that I taste, but this does not come natural and easy since I have really to concentrate to feel what is behind. Actually, my first impression was positive, I felt a saltiness, that I never have witnessed in a agricole rhum. Since when I drink whisky I am seeking that Scottish Islay maritime taste we were off to a good start until those external notes became too dominantly penetrating, from start to finish. Rum, especially from cane juice is something extremely filigran, traditionally cognac barrels were used in the French Rhum paradise, since cognac is itself filigrane the marriage comes almost natural. When you age with bourbon/whisky you have to be careful not to overpower, most distilleries manage to influence enrich the starting product just enough without distorting it. It’s a pity they didn’t do it right, as if done properly saltiness could potentially add something excitingly new to our agricole micro-cosmos. This is a completely unusual product that either is a mistake by screwing the aging process or an calculated agenda to attract drinkers from the vastly bigger whisky market over to drink rum. Depaz XO is the clear number 1 from Martinique but costs unless you bring it from Martinique with you. Dillon XO is a more well-rounded and also cheaper option. Cigar/tobacco recommendation: a Cuban cigar with enough body can take some of edge off the rum.

Review by LukaŽiga

LukaŽiga

Apr 20251,503 reviewsGermany

7.8/10

7,7:The nose immediately takes us into a vegetal notes, caramel, smokiness, after that with moist wood loaded with powerful aromas of exotic fruits and spices. The cane juice is totally candied, but also studded with woody tannins, resin and red fruits.Aeration brings a breath of fresh air and the fruits of the orchard shine through, even floral notes with elderflower. The pear, for example, reveals its delicate aromas and silky flesh, covered by a light caramel, iodine with hints of coffee. 8:The palate is nicely spicy, minty and tannic, the cane is fresh, vegetal. Peaches are in front of a few lime peels, spiciness is screaming loud, numbs the tasting buds sometimes, uncovering the volcanique notes, some minimal bitterness, drieness with wood and Bourbon and red fruits notes. Really intense. 7,8:The finish brings us woody roundedness, some lime peel stays, with lots of melted sweet spices and pepper.. Edit :6.4.25, a little upgrade.