J.Bally Millesme 2003

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 43% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

J. Bally Millésime 2003 reflects Martinique’s tradition of long-aged vintage rums. Distilled from pure sugarcane juice, it matured in oak casks. As a rhum agricole, it carries the AOC Martinique designation of origin. Cask ageing shapes its distinctly woody, spicy character, complemented by candied and dried fruit.

This vintage was distilled in 2003 at Saint James in Martinique. The official bottling contains 0.7 litres at 43% alcohol and is supplied in a metal tin. It contains no colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Bold wood notes with a touch of cedar lead the nose. Spice, aged leather, orange peel and dried fruit complement them. Nut-paste notes and a slightly earthy impression add further detail. The aroma develops from wood through candied fruit to dark chocolate.
• Palate: On the palate, the rum is full-bodied without becoming heavy. Spice, candied and dried fruit, and tobacco combine in a balanced impression. Slightly resinous wood then emerges, leaving a noticeably grainy texture. A woody opening is followed by fruit notes that give way to chocolate.
• Finish: Spice and pepper remain present on the finish. Wood tannins give way to notes of dried exotic fruit.

Distillery/Bottler:

The history of J. Bally is linked to Habitation Lajus in Le Carbet on Martinique’s northern Caribbean coast. Jacques Bally acquired the estate in 1917. An engineer trained at the École centrale de Paris, he modernised the existing sugar factory, installed a steam engine and developed his own Creole distillation column.

In the 1920s, Bally began ageing some of his rums in oak casks. Drawing inspiration from Cognac production, he contributed to the development of aged rhum agricole in Martinique. He also designed the pyramid-shaped bottle that later became a hallmark of the brand. The historic distillery is now closed, and production for the brand was eventually moved to Saint James. The 2003 vintage was also produced there.

Facts: