49% ABV, 700 ml
“JM Fumée volcanique is a rhum agricole from the “Atelier des Rhums” series, dedicated to mixology and cocktails. This JM initiative aims to develop advanced aromatic profiles by working on the barrels. Karine Lassalle, JM’s cellar master, and Joseph Akhavan (founder of the Mabel bar in Paris) are behind it.
The name of this rum refers to the distillery’s location at the foot of Mont Pelée in Martinique. To bring out the aromas of this tribute, they chose highly toasted bourbon barrels. The toasting applied to American oak is called “alligator”. The burnt wood forms beautiful black scales.
After 12 to 14 months of ageing, the rum develops smoky notes. These blend harmoniously with the fruity, vegetal notes of rhum agricole.
The nose reveals hints of smoke and roasting, which remain fairly subtle and allow the rhum agricole to come to the fore. Ripe cane and dried fruit are present. The whole is simply laid down on a toasty woodiness.
Aeration brings sweetness and greed. A pretty jam of varied yellow fruits starts to stick to our nostrils, before apricot takes center stage.
The palate is fresh and fluid on the attack, with a pretty ray of sunshine from the cane juice. Then, spices and wood quickly take hold of the palate, stinging it with fiery clouds that then rise up in smoke. The pepper takes advantage of this to spread its flavors in all dimensions, until we’re intoxicated by its intensity.
The finish is fairly light, compared with the lively mid-palate. It scatters a few notes of cane here and there, without forcing the issue.”