Overview
Brand: Rhum JM
Origin: Distillerie J.M., Macouba, Martinique, France
Still: Column
Age: 10 years, 5 months
Finish: New American Oak
ABV: 51.2%
I found this single barrel rhum vieux agricole at a Binny's while visiting my family; it was marked too low for me to pass up, so I decided to give it a try. After sharing some drams with my brother, who was impressed despite not being a huge rum drinker, I bundled it up and brought it back home with me.
Rhum JM Single Barrel 2013 was produced in Macouba, Martinique, using Distillerie JM's Creole column still, from a base of sugarcane juice. It spent a full decade aging at-origin in a new American oak cask, before being bottled at 51.2% ABV and selected for Binny's single barrel program.
I've already enjoyed a good amount of this bottle, so let's take some time and give it a proper review.
Appearance
Dark bronze, low viscosity
Nose
Burnt cane sugar, dried cranberries, star anise, red gummy Lifesavers, hint of smoked paprika
Palate
Burnt cane sugar, vanilla bean, dried cranberries, star anise, cinnamon stick
Finish
Medium-long, fruity, dark; toasted cane sugar, dried cranberries, brown sugar-covered strawberries, hint of black licorice
Rating: 7/10
Summary
I've always enjoyed Rhum JM, and this single cask falls in line with my expectations. This is pleasant, fruity, and integrates its relatively long age (for a rhum vieux agricole) very well.
Nosing the rum, you may be surprised to learn it is just over proof. The overt alcohol vapors are fairly minimal, leaving just the aromas of burnt cane sugar, cranberries, star anise, and just a whiff of smoked paprika. After a sip, this rhum draws you in with its accessible cane sugar lead flavor, followed by dried cranberries and more pronounced star anise and cinnamon notes. This finishes with a fruity, dark, and only slightly bitter array of sugar, fruits, and a touch of black licorice.
There have been rumblings that Rhum JM plan to terminate their single barrel program, which would be a shame and a big loss to the rum community. This is a real treat, and great value considering its age and the price I got it for. Hopefully this won't be the last of Rhum JM single barrels.