Legacy in a bottle: Saint James Rhum
Saint James Rhum toasts 260 storied years with a blend of global festivities and a bold anniversary release steeped in Caribbean heritage.
This year, Martinican agricole rhum Saint James marks its 260th anniversary. With a legacy dating to 1765, Saint James has long been a symbol of the richness and complexity of agricole rhum, forged through centuries of dedication, innovation and deep-rooted Caribbean tradition.
Now, the brand is celebrating its enduring spirit with a series of festivities alongside the highly anticipated launch of a new collector’s blend – Cuvée 260 Years.
Established on the island of Martinique, Saint James is one of the oldest distilleries still in operation, crafting rhums made from fresh sugarcane juice and staying true to Martinique’s appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC). The standards were introduced in 1996 to protect and promote the uniqueness and quality of agricole rhum from the region. These standards underscore the terroir, tradition and craftsmanship of the rhum’s production, and over its 260-year history, the brand has become renowned for the same warm style and expressive ageing the category is praised for.
While the milestone has been celebrated throughout the year, the festivities came to an exciting climax in July, coinciding with The Bartenders Society cocktail competition, which brought together top bartenders and rhum aficionados from around the world.
Held on the Saint James Distillery grounds, competitors from 14 countries gathered to create two cocktails for the chance to be crowned the 2025 champion. The event was both a tribute to Saint James’ history and a showcase of its influence in contemporary mixology. Participants were treated to exclusive tastings, distillery tours and cultural experiences that accentuated the brand’s pivotal role in rhum-making history.
Introducing a rare blend
The highlight of the anniversary, however, is the upcoming release of Cuvée 260 Years – a rare and sophisticated blend that is said to reflect the full depth of Saint James’ artistry. Crafted from six distinct vintages, this 43.5% ABV rhum – limited to just 900 bottles – is a masterclass in blending, with each vintage selected with precision, and all drawn from single casks and carefully aged barrels. The combination of vintages from 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2009 has subsequently created a blend that showcases both the unique identity of each harvest and the unmistakable style of Saint James rhum.
The 1997 vintage – aged over the course of 18 years in American oak barrels – brings candied citrus, rancio and cigar box notes, while the 1998 – a 16-year-old with notes of rich spices, fruit and silky oak tannins – adds remarkable balance. The dry harvest of 2001 highlights dried fruit and strong toasted oak, while 2004’s low yield brings intensity with roasted, nutty, and forest floor aromas. Aged for 18 years in French oak, 2006’s vintage adds length, marmalade sweetness and chocolaty smoothness, while 2009’s vintage – the youngest at 15 years – contributes lively, woody notes with soft roasting.
The Cuvée 260 Years experience begins with intense wood and undergrowth aromas, while the second wave brings warm spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, which are joined by deep roasted notes. Finally, the bouquet evolves into an array of fruit: candied citrus, dried fig, walnut husk and the signature Saint James rancio. On the palate, the journey mirrors the nose, beginning with warmth that soon gives way to smoothness before spice notes kick in and a subtle nuttiness emerges. The finish is a mosaic of complexity: sweet citrus, cigar box and profound aged richness that lingers.
With this release, which was unveiled at Whisky Live Paris in late September, Saint James not only honours its past but affirms its place at the forefront of premium agricole rhum, continuing to shape the future of the spirit with elegance, precision, excitement and authenticity.
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