Down Island Saint James 6 Year 2017

Review #1117; Rum #439

This bottling was done by Down Island, a relative newcomer to the American Independent rum bottler scene. Based out of Florida, this is their 6 bottling released thus far. This one is an aged agricole rum that was distilled in Sainte-Marie Martinique in 2017 on a 19 plate column still. It was aged at the distillery for 4 years in ex-bourbon barrels then aged for a further 2 years in Europe before being bottled at cask strength with no additives or chill filtration.

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Distillery: Saint James

Bottler: Down Island

Region: Martinique

Still: Column

ABV: 57.9%, cask strength

Age: 6 years in ex-bourbon, 4 in Martinique, 2 in Europe

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Nose: Oak Spice, Leather, dark chocolate, black pepper, raspberry, Vanilla, Cinnamon

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Leather, oak spice, raspberry, dark chocolate, a touch of sea salt, cinnamon

Finish: Long finish. Leather, Dark Chocolate, black pepper, raspberry

Rating: 8/10

 I am once again impressed with a Saint James single cask offering. It is heavy on the oak influence but I like it here, the heavy savory notes pair well with the bit of sweetness. The mouthfeel and finish are both exceptional as well and it drinks well at its proof.

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1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect