Velier Saint James Elliott Erwitt 2006

This Saint James was bottled by Velier, the most prestigious name in collectible rum, as part of its Elliott Erwitt photographic series, a 2006 from the historic Martinique house. Made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice on a Creole column still under the island's AOC, it is aged fifteen years and bottled unsweetened at a relaxed 45%.

Fifteen years of tropical ageing have pushed it firmly into dark, woody territory, with coffee, tobacco, herbs, dark chocolate and dried fruit layered over polished oak, finishing long on coffee, licorice and leather. The grassy cane base now sits well beneath the maturity, dry and savoury throughout in keeping with the appellation. At 45% it stays composed and sippable rather than fierce, a mature, oak led agricole for drinkers who enjoy that style and the deep, oak rich character that long ageing can bring, offered as a collectible from a celebrated bottler.