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Rhum J.M Agricole Blanc White Rum 40%
Distiller Score 88
J.M.'s Blanc Agricole opens with vegetal (green bell pepper), cane-like aromas accented with black pepper. A sweet grassiness coupled to light, green chile heat announces the palate which is bolstered by a salty minerality. The finish is consistent and lingering. A perfect mixer, J.M. is especially refreshing with a splash of lively mineral water.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Maison La Mauny V.S.O.P.
Distiller Score 94
The rhum’s color is surprisingly dark and inviting. Nosing it is a joy, with aromas rarely found in non-agricole rums. The French oak impact here is strong, making for an experience quite different from an unaged agricole. The palate is a dancing, constantly changing blend of tart fruits, wood, spices, and a hint of musty barn. A wonderful, relatively inexpensive rum for savoring neat, worlds different from the classic pot-stilled English-style rums aged in American oak.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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St. George California Agricole Rum
Distiller Score 90
This rum sparkles in the glass. The nose is intense, leaving no doubt this is an earthy, agricole-style rum. Unlike traditional rhum agricole, it has a strong olive scent, similar to the Hamilton Jamaican Gold rum. Nose it long enough and freshly-cut pear peeks its head out. The olive note remains at the forefront of the first sip, but better integrated with other vegetal flavors. The mouthfeel is lush and slightly oily, pointing to pot distillation. At 43% ABV, it’s a bit rough, but it’s not intended as a sipping rum. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but the California Agricole is a bold, no-apologies pot-still rum that holds its own against powerhouse Caribbean rums.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Clément Single Cask Rhum Agricole
Distiller Score 87
A medicinal (the kind of medicine you want to take) aroma wafts out of the glass mixed with pinecone and cedar. On the palate, the telltale Clément fruity grape notes mix with sage, basil and oregano. Vanilla, espresso, bittersweet chocolate and a good rancio funk carry it into the slightly hot finish.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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La Favorite Rhum Agricole Blanc Coeur de Canne
Distiller Score 92
A beautiful, albeit esoteric spirit. The interplay of grass, rubber, roasted peach, apple and green banana aromas might not be for everyone, but for those who get it, it is absolutely enchanting. The palate is no less a rollercoaster with more industrial tones, raspberries, orange and iodine. It contains its 50% abv well for an unaged spirit and culminates in a clean, focused and sublime spirit.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Damoiseau Rhum Agricole VSOP
Distiller Score 87
This smooth sipper has the fresh, herbal flavors of rhum agricole melding with rich burnt caramel, roasted coffee, stewed fruits, vanilla and butterscotch. Considering the rhums used are somewhat young, it has a mature and elegant feel with sharp notes of funk, kind of like an early Adele song. This is fine to sip neat, but would make some truly delicious stirred cocktails.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Clément Select Barrel Rhum Agricole
Distiller Score 87
This rhum has a lighter weight than some of the others in the collection, however it delivers bright and intriguing flavors. Tart apricot, peach and banana meld with vanilla and toffee. Herbal notes of spearmint, pine cone and rosemary add subtle accents. The finish goes a bit hot, though the flavors that linger are fresh and nuanced.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Arcane Cane Crush White Rum
Distiller Score 87
This is a fresh and zesty rum that's all about the herbal and citrus peel nuances. Rosemary, sage, basil and a hint of wormwood flow elegantly into orange, grapefruit and lime zest. Raw sugar and tropical fruit sweetness tie these flavors together. While finishing slightly hot, this is an ideal daiquiri-and-shaken-cocktail-rum that will hold its own against other ingredients.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Clément Première Canne Rhum Blanc Agricole
Distiller Score 87
Clément Première Canne Rhum Blanc Agricole shows aromas of soft fruit blossoms--yellow apple, various citrus, and greengage plum. Add to that notes of minerals and spices which give a supportive structure to the background. All these aromas come through on the palate in a clean yet supple mouthfeel that carries them to the end. Hints of castor sugar, white cake, and verbena are also to be found on a lingering and refreshing finish.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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Rhum J.M VO
Distiller Score 88
The rhum is like a good soul bass line - tart, hot, funky and even a little sweaty. Fresh lemon acidity mixes with fresh apricot and passion fruit, with medium-roast coffee, caramel and butterscotch. Spices are a mixture of allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg, going more savory with rosemary, sage and chive. Though it has a light mouth feel, the flavors linger, making it ideal as both a neat sipper and cocktail base.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Rhum J.M Épices Créoles
Distiller Score 91
The nose is full of scintillating spice notes—particularly clove, allspice, and powdered ginger, with a bit of sweet nutmeg and other baking spices—and toasted oak. Tart, floral tropical fruit (mango, papyaya) comes in at the palate, mixed with herbal notes of sage and rosemary. Though it's decidedly fruity, the finish veers toward umami/earthy tones, with a balanced dryness, light to medium richness, and spark of spicy heat.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Clément VSOP Rhum Agricole
Distiller Score 92
On the nose, Clément VSOP Rhum Agricole almost resembles a scotch whisky, with the charred oak aromas rising out of the glass mixed with vanilla, spices and floral notes. On the palate, the spirit develops an elegant herbal quality, with sage, thyme and rosemary mixing with brown sugar, roasted coffee and fruit flavors of red grapes, mango and banana. The finish is long, lingering and smooth, allowing all the components to meld together.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster