Saint James 1998 Extra Vieux Wooden Box 18yo 42.8% 700ml

The Saint James 1998 Extra Vieux Wooden Box is a rare 18-year-old rum from Martinique, bottled in 2016 after a prolonged aging process. This exquisite rum is the result of a meticulous selection process where only five casks out of twenty-eight were handpicked by Saint James' oenologist, Marc Sassier, and master blender, Gilbert Bolinois. The rum was matured in small American oak casks or casks that previously held Saint James rum, leading to a rich and complex flavor profile.

Upon opening, the rum presents a fresh and fragrant aroma characterized by well-integrated oakiness that complements fruity notes. The palate is sweet and highly fruity, showcasing distinct flavors of apricot that evolve into prunes, followed by a wave of cane syrup. The finish is long-lasting, unveiling a subtle spiciness with flavors of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and blond tobacco.

As the rum ages, its initial freshness transitions into a gently spiced profile, with cane syrup acquiring a cigar box aroma, paired with powerful and fragrant pepper and a variety of deep and elegant woody essences. The 1998 vintage Saint James rum delivers aromas of vanilla and ripe fruit on the nose, while the palate boasts notes of baked apples, nutmeg, roasted coffee beans, and dried fruit that linger in the finish.

This rum is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and age-old traditions of the Martinique distillers, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors that is both sophisticated and approachable.

FAQs

• What is the age of Saint James 1998 Extra Vieux Wooden Box rum?

  The rum is 18 years old.

• When was the Saint James 1998 Extra Vieux Wooden Box rum bottled?

  The rum was bottled in the year 2016.

• What is the alcohol by volume (ABV) of this rum?

  The ABV of the Saint James 1998 Extra Vieux Wooden Box rum is 42.8%.

• What is the size of the bottle?

  The bottle size is 700 ml.

• Where is this rum from?

  This rum is from Martinique.

• How many bottles were produced?

  There was no specific number of bottles produced mentioned.

Tasting notes

• Aroma: Roasted notes, tropical fruit, dried apricot, cocoa, spice, fresh, vegetal, anise, red fruits
• Taste: Roasted flavors, fruity, chocolate, caramel, nutmeg, cinnamon, dried apricot, leather, vanilla, spice
• Finish: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, cedar, leather, spice

Overall: The Saint James 1998 Extra Vieux Wooden Box 18yo 42.8% is a complex and elegant rum, showcasing a harmonious blend of fruity, woody, and roasted flavors with a soft, lingering finish.

Reviewer's opinion

• A Saint James rum that stands out for its sweetness and complexity. The nose gently oscillates between vegetal freshness, red and tropical fruit notes, wood, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, and coffee. Similar flavors are found on the palate, blending with finesse. The rum's texture is exquisite: creamy, smooth, slightly fatty, and rich in aromas, particularly spices, wood, coffee, and chocolate. The finish is long, featuring notes of leather, roasted flavors, wood, and coffee, followed by caramel and fruit. It offers an excellent quality-to-price ratio.
• This rum is wonderfully fruity with spices and wood. In the background, you can find caramel and tobacco. The finish is long and the caramel is strong without being overly dominant. After a couple of hours, the nose from the glass is delightful.
• The reduction is a perfect success. All the hallmarks of an excellent Martinique rum are present, with a well-mastered balance of aromas.
• Splendid, a marvel of a rum.
• Like all single casks, it is superbly complex. Despite its age, it is not overly barrel-heavy for an Agricole.
• A beautiful example of successful reduction, a fine Saint James with fruit, wood, and roasted notes.
• I particularly enjoy the roasty-spicy notes on the palate.
• On the palate, it features forest and red fruits with a delicate and light profile, hints of corn, little persistence, but rounded.