Velier Saint James Alex Webb Edition 2010

This is a 2010 Saint James selected by Velier for the Alex Webb edition, drawn from the long running Martinique house founded in 1765. Velier is the most respected name in collectible rum, known for tropically aged, additive free bottlings, and here it presents an older Saint James at a relaxed strength rather than cask power.

Distilled from fresh cane juice on a creole column and matured twelve years in ex bourbon oak, much of it under Caribbean heat, it shows the drier, more vegetal side of the distillery. The nose is woody and floral with a medicinal lift, the palate vegetal, oily and lightly sweet on cane, and the finish brings nutty, spiced and dried fruit notes. Unsweetened and unhurried at 45 percent, it suits slow sipping from drinkers who favour the classic, restrained Saint James profile over intensity.