Velier Saint James Velier 70th Anniversary 2008

This 70th Anniversary release pairs Saint James, Martinique's house since 1765, with Velier of Genoa, drawn from a 2008 vintage and aged nine years. Made entirely from fresh cane juice rather than molasses, it is an aged AOC agricole bottled unsweetened at full strength of 60.8%, a powerful expression aimed at seasoned drinkers.

Ex-Bourbon ageing and that high proof give it a dry, intense, woody character: dark chocolate, heavy oak, roasted coffee, tobacco and dried fruit, with grassy sugarcane still threading through. The palate is woody and peppery with caramel and spice, and the finish runs roasted and grassy. It rewards aeration, opening over fifteen or twenty minutes, and a few drops of water help tame the strength. It stays rare to find an aged agricole this fruity and herbal while also this intense. For drinkers who enjoy powerful, woody agricoles, this pushes the Saint James profile further with extra depth.