Bielle Brut de Fût Cask Strength Rum 2003 Marie-Galante

Production Notes

This is a rhum vieux agricole, which is distilled using only freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, as opposed to molasses and aged in cask for a minimum of three years. Distilled in 2003, this was bottled at cask strength with no filtration. Bielle produces around 320,000 litres of agricole rum on its column still every year. It also houses a bespoke Muller pot still, designed by Italian grappa maker Vittorio Capovilla for his Rhum Rhum collaboration with Luca Gargano of Velier. The rum showcases attractive bright polished copper colour with brilliant clarity, aromas of jelly bean, mocha and muted brown sugar with aeration yielding crème caramel and golden syrup with peppery undertones, and a palate that is slightly harsh and bittersweet but agreeably balanced by a late sweetness in the form of marzipan, dark chocolate and chico lolly into the fade. The combination of fresh sugar cane juice distillation, cask ageing and bottling at cask strength with no filtration creates a rhum vieux agricole with exceptional depth, complexity and authentic character.

Distillery Heritage

Bielle is one of three distilleries on the island of Marie-Galante in the Guadeloupe archipelago. It was founded at the end of the 19th century as rum production began to take over, following the decline in profitability of sugar. The distillery was acquired by Paul Rameaux in 1955, and today is still run by his nephew, Dominique Thiery. Bielle produces around 320,000 litres of agricole rum on its column still every year. It also houses a bespoke Muller pot still, designed by Italian grappa maker Vittorio Capovilla for his Rhum Rhum collaboration with Luca Gargano of Velier. The 2003 vintage rhum vieux agricole showcases the distillery's commitment to traditional production methods, with attractive bright polished copper colour, complex aromas of jelly bean, mocha, muted brown sugar, crème caramel and golden syrup with peppery undertones, and a palate that is slightly harsh and bittersweet but agreeably balanced by a late sweetness in the form of marzipan, dark chocolate and chico lolly. Distilled using only freshly squeezed sugar cane juice and aged in cask for minimum three years, then bottled at cask strength with no filtration, this rhum vieux represents the pinnacle of Marie-Galante agricole rum production.