Bellevue 23 Years Old Nobilis Rum 55.2% 1998

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (91)

Speaking of Foursquare, this is actually a single blend of vesou (cane must) and molasses distilled in a column, so not rhum agricole. I know, nothing to do with Foursquare, actually. Colour: deep gold. Nose: rather immense and intense, with the kind of esters that you would rather find in Jamaica or Trinidad, if you see what I mean. Now it's not a '500+' at all, naturally, but I just adore these petroly and olive-y notes, as well as this acetone, fresh paint and putty, new 33rpm, assorted rotting fruits, and just fresh-squeezed (or rather crushed) cane juice. With water: gets grassier, more herbal, kind of gentler. Mildly gentler. Someone's inadvertently poured diesel oil over nestle, sorrel and green bananas. Mouth (neat): Incredible. Aniseed and salted liquorice just all over the place, plus black olives and tobacco dust. With water: getting chalky. Malt enthusiasts special: it would be a Ben Nevis of rhum of some sort. Finish: long, this time with nots of oranges. Otherwise liquorice, olives, tar and brine. Comments: I was having it at 90.5 (oh come on) but this is a good day. Always check the BBs (Bielle and Bellevue).

BOW (91)