Rhum J.M VO

When I first opened the bottle, it smelled like red wine, which is not a pleasant aroma to my tastes. When I poured myself a glass it smelled more fruity, with less of the acidic winey elements. When I tasted it, it was a mix of brown sugar, fruit, and a sort of rubbery flavor. At first it seemed a bit weird but overall I've come to enjoy it. The first sentence of the Distiller description (the "soul bass line" bit) is pretty accurate. It does have a subtle spice element to it and a major fruity profile but I don't really pick up on the specific flavor notes mentioned there. Overall it's pretty good and makes me want to try more stuff along these lines, either more from J.M. or just more agricole in general. So far I have slightly preferred Barbados rum or unaged agricole but I'm only just beginning to explore rum.

86 proof. Amontillado/deep copper color. Red apple, custard apple, sour cherry, candy corn, orange oil, vanilla, banana, cream. I get elements of both French and American oak, however, the website states the V.O. sees solely American oak, while the V.S.O.P. sees a mixture. On the palate, the rum is surprisingly dry and tannic with flavors of cinnamon stick, banana cream, and orange creamsicle quickly diminished by oak, sour wood, and black pepper. This is an interesting rum to try for both bourbon and brandy drinkers. Dry, refined, and complex. But quite forgiving. Interested in mixing this up in place of bourbon or Scotch given its tannic structure.

I love this. It’s weird as hell and wil change your crappy pre-conceived notions of what a rum is or was or wants to be. Rum freedom now. This rum hates the box you put it in. It’s all vegetable earthy spicy citrus peel funk and it don’t need no boundaries. Buy this and drink this and make weird faces and call it weird but love it. Marinate in its own particular unique brand of strange for that’s what sets each of us apart. No apologies. Be you and the people will love you for it. That’s what this rum does. And it’s right. I’m people, and I love the shit out of this.

At first some wet cardboard notes on the nose, but it opens up a bit in a few minutes. Same on the palate, there's a musty earthiness at first that evolves into hints of fruit after a while. Same on the finish. All in all, nice but a bit closed.

The VO has 3 years in oak, compared to the Gold and it shows. It is considerably richer and matured. All the flavors are more integrated and less loud, but at the same time more well shaped.

Vraiment superbe pour un Ti Vieux ou en cocktail. Vanille, caramel, clou de girofle, cannelle et une bouche très végétal sur la canne. De jolis fruits blancs compotée également.