Overview
Brand: Rhum JM, Atelier Range series
Origin: Distillerie J.M., Macouba, Martinique, France
Still: Column
Age: 1 year
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 49%
The final bottle in Rhum JM's Atelier Series connects the influence of the cask to the geographic features of the island of Martinique itself.
Fumée Volcanique ("Volcanic smoke") is another creole column distilled, sugarcane juice-based rhum vieux agricole. The blend earns its name due to it featuring "extremely charred" ex-Bourbon casks, in which the rhum spent 12-14 months aging. This was bottled at 49% ABV.
For transparency, this bottle was provided to me by a brand representative, with no obligation other than to enjoy the rum.
Appearance
Champagne, medium-low viscosity
Nose
Burnt sugarcane, rotting green grapes, honeydew, grilled pineapple, grilled green bell pepper
Palate
Burnt sugarcane, vanilla, grilled green bell pepper, grilled pineapple, hint of cinnamon
Finish
Medium-long, smoky, dark; prunes, vanilla, grilled bell pepper, agave, cinnamon
Rating: 5/10
Summary
Fumée Volcanique certainly showcases the heavy char cask it was aged in, which accents the traditional agricole notes in such a way that leaves me reminders of agave spirits at every turn throughout sampling this.
The champagne-colored rhum is noticeably the lightest color of the Atelier Series, offering a joint vegetal and rotting fruit notes in grilled pineapple and green bell pepper. Vanilla and cinnamon show through on the palate, which transitions to a smoky-savory finish of prunes, agave, and grilled bell pepper. Really an interesting ensemble going on here.
If I were to pick this up, I'd honestly lean into the agave-like vegetal notes and use it in a riff off of one of my favorite agave-based cocktails: the Naked & Famous. As a sipping rhum, this is definitely the more unique of the Atelier Series, offering a corner of the aged rhum agricole profile that I haven't yet experienced.