Saint James XO Très Vieux Rhum Agricole

Saint James has been distilling on Martinique since 1765, and this XO Tres Vieux is its ten year aged agricole, comfortably beyond the AOC XO threshold of six years. Distilled from fresh pressed cane juice on the estate's creole column still and bottled unsweetened at 43%, it leans dry and wood forward, a value priced expression with real maturity behind it.

The nose is expressive with agricole cane, sugarcane, fruit and oak, the palate dry and woody with caramel and a grassy cane note, the finish carrying dry oak and spice. Long tropical ageing gives the wood prominence while keeping the vegetal cane character in view, the dried fruit adding depth without sweetness. Approachable yet characterful, it works as a neat sipper and crosses over neatly for bourbon and rye drinkers curious about dry, oak driven agricole.