Saint James reveals final rum in series

Martinique-based rum producer Saint James has released the last bottling of its Les Ephémères collection: Batch N°5.

The series was made in honour of the brand's heritage, which dates back to 1765, and features four vintage rums, each created in Saint James’s cellars in the town of Sainte Marie, Martinique, by master distiller Marc Sassier. The collection launched a year ago with Brut de Fût 2001, Number 1, and Brut de Fût 2007, Number 7. Batch n°5, the fourth and final release in the quadrilogy, was bottled in 2005 and aged for 16 years in French oak barrels, without reduction or being topped up. Its profile is said to carry 'sandalwood fragrances' with candied fruit and notes of cocoa and mocha. It's also described as 'full-bodied on the palate' with 'exceptional length'. Only 5,006 bottles of Batch N°5 are available and it retails for around €125 (US$135) with a 51.8% ABV. Saint James rum is distilled in Sainte-Marie, Martinique, an island native to the Caribbean, and is produced using pure sugarcane juice from its own plantations. The brand is owned by French spirits company La Martiniquaise-Bardinet, which was recently at Bar Convent Berlin to showcase its portfolio.