Saint James 10 ans (Cuvée Transat) 2015

Saint James has distilled in Martinique since 1765 and ranks among the island's largest houses, working entirely from fresh-pressed sugar-cane juice under the Martinique AOC. This Cuvee Transat is a 2015 vintage carrying a ten year age statement, which on a tropically matured agricole signals genuine maturity given the high angel's share in Caribbean warehouses.

Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 42.5%, it shows the drier, more spice-forward side of aged agricole rather than the sweetness of a molasses rum. Candied orchard fruit, cinnamon and an earthy note lead into tobacco, cocoa, dried fruit and toasted oak, finishing round with vanilla and the clove-edged spice typical of the house. Approachable in strength yet clearly characterful, it sits well as an after-dinner sipper or in a stirred agricole serve.