Rhum JM VSOP Rhum Agricole Martinique Rum 43%

Two kinds of cask, two stretches of time. Rhum JM VSOP rests first in used bourbon barrels for three years, before being transferred to brand new American oak casks for another year, a double maturation that gives it more body than the house's younger VO.

Expert Description

Rhum JM VSOP is a Martinique Rhum Agricole aged four years in ex-bourbon and new oak casks, bottled at 43%.

The rum comes from the Fonds-Préville distillery in Macouba, Martinique's smallest "rhumerie", which sits at the foot of the volcano Mount Pelée. After distillation the rum rests briefly in steel tanks before being aged three years in used bourbon barrels and then around a year more in brand new American oak casks, a combination that gives VSOP a markedly deeper and more complex profile than the house's younger VO.

The new oak casks impart a clear wood sweetness and spice that complement the green, herbal character of the fresh cane juice without overpowering it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Nutty richness with cinnamon and clove, carried by bright cane and grass, complemented by ripe banana and mango.

Palate

Spiced butter and lemony caramel, oily and sweet with toasted oak, brown sugar and rich caramel.

Finish

Smooth and light, with a lingering hint of chocolate and a dry finish of hay and black tea.

Specifications

Name: Rhum JM VSOP
Distillery: Rhum JM
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole
Age: 4 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex-bourbon casks followed by new oak casks
Distillation Method: Column distillation of fresh cane juice
EAN: 3329069990044
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature or in a Ti' Punch

Flavour Profile

Nutty · Spiced · Caramelised · Oaky · Tropical

Did You Know?

Fonds-Préville is considered Martinique's smallest "rhumerie", yet also one of the most respected, in part because the distillery sits on the very land where Rhum JM's founder Jean-Marie Martin converted a sugar factory into a distillery in 1845.

See our full range of Rhum JM

Frequently Asked Questions about Rhum JM VSOP

What is Rhum JM VSOP?

It's a Martinique Rhum Agricole aged four years in total, first in used bourbon barrels and then in new American oak casks, bottled at 43%.

What's the difference between VSOP and VO from Rhum JM?

VSOP has spent longer in cask and also gets a period in brand new oak casks, giving it a deeper wood sweetness and more complex spice profile than the younger VO.

What does Rhum JM VSOP taste like?

It tastes nutty with cinnamon and clove, complemented by ripe banana, mango and a spiced, caramel-like sweetness, with a smooth, light finish of chocolate and tea.

What do the new oak casks do to the rum?

The new, previously unused oak casks impart a more pronounced wood sweetness and spice than reused bourbon barrels, giving VSOP its characteristic depth.

How should Rhum JM VSOP be enjoyed?

Best neat at room temperature to experience the full complexity, or in a classic Ti' Punch.

Where is Rhum JM VSOP produced?

The rum is distilled at the Fonds-Préville distillery in Macouba, Martinique's smallest rhumerie, at the foot of the volcano Mount Pelée.