Taste Testing Swell de Spirits' Rhum Bielle RVMG 2012, Swell & Co No. 20 Passion Rhums Bielle
Since opening their doors and releasing their first spirit bottling in 2021, Swell de Spirits has undoubtedly developed quite a reputation for bottling spirits that are perhaps lesser-known or uncommon, and particularly so in the rum world. Thus, in this series of tastings from Swell de Spirits, whose bottles are available for tasting and purchase at Hi Stranger if you are in Singapore, I will be exploring eight unique bottlings from their lineup, beginning with a gorgeous rhum agricole from Rhum Bielle on the island of Marie-Galante.
Located in the heart of Marie-Galante, Bielle’s history dates back to the year 1769, when Jean-Pierre Bielle and his family first developed the estate into a coffee plantation. It was only in 1826 that his sons Nicolas and Maximilien made the transition to sugar and established a sugar mill on the estate, followed by the year 1910 when the estate began distilling its first drops of rum. Fast forward to 1955, the estate was purchased by Paul Rameaux and till today remains in the hands of the family, led by Paul’s grand-nephew, Dominique Thiery.
Today, Bielle is one of three agricultural-producing distilleries on Marie Galante, using sugarcane juice as the primary raw material in rum production. That necessitates a steady supply of freshly cut cane, which is sourced from the farmers surrounding the distillery, numbering at around 150 as quoted by Bielle’s cellar master Jacques Larrent in his interview with Rumporter. The cane juice is then fermented with brewer’s yeasts in open vats for a period of between 24 and 48 hours, resulting in a wash of approximately 5% ABV, which is then distilled through Bielle’s three-column copper Savalle still up to a maximum of 75% ABV, allowing the distillates to remain full of flavour. In the same interview with Rumporter, Jacques also explains that the rhums are left to rest for several months after distillation, then reduced to 59% ABV. Though what remains unclear to me is if the rhums set aside for aging were also reduced, which I would assume not given that the Bielle I am having remained at 53.8% ABV after 13 years of tropical aging.
This particular Bielle rhum, the RVMG 2012, was no. 20 of the Swell & Co series, representing Swell’s range of co-bottlings, which in this instance partnered with Passion Rhums Bielle. It is a single ex-bourbon cask no. 264, with a 100% tropical aging from 2012 to 2025, and bottled at cask strength 53.8% ABV with only 300 bottles produced.
On the nose, it felt like a really warm, toasty dram, one that resembled the notion of slow, simmering caramel, hazelnut praline, but also complemented by some rather fresh notes that were unexpected in a rhum of this age, a slight tinge of green and rock melons. As it opened up further, there were hints of savouriness that began to reveal themselves, almost akin to soy sauce and some rancio, before ending on a sweeter note of toasted marshmallows.
The palate, on the other hand, was much more recognisable as a rhum agricole. In the beginning, there were these bright citrusy notes with a hint of bitterness that reminded me slightly of an aperitif. The middle was where the rhum mellowed considerably, allowing those red-fruit notes to prevail, as well as those of preserved orange peels. In the finish, there came sweeter notes of Fanta orange, candied hawthorn, and juicy red apples.
Bielle rhums are a rarity from where I’m from, yet each one I have encountered has been an absolute delight to taste, including this particular offering. The striking contrast between the aroma and the flavour on the palate made it all the more complex and captivating to taste. Swell and Gaston have indeed selected an exquisite cask for this co-bottling.
Your occasional rum addict!
