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#Saint James 1885 Rhum Vieux Litre
#535920
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Closing
13 Apr 2026
Bottle Details
Distilled in 1885 at Plantation des Saint-James - prior to the advent of pasteurisation and stainless steel fermentation vessels - the wash had to be gently heated to 40°C before fermentation in open wooden containers. Saint James was fortunate in 1902 that its Trouvaillant location was well-sheltered from the eruption of Mount Pelée, mercifully buried under ash rather than anything more destructive and the distillery was quickly back in operation. Much of the incredible stock that produced this bottle was less fortunate however, and it is still only by luck that any exists today after already exported bottles unearthed in cellars in Amsterdam, Paris and London.
This bottle dates to around the 1940s when the company was still run by François-Paulin Lambert's son, Ernest. The company was sold in 1955 by his widow following his death.
Distillery
Distillery status
Closed
Vintage
1885
Production Type
Cane juice rum
Ageing
Tropical
Sweetened
No
Region
Martinique
Brand
Base
Cane juice
Quote
...this vintage, the rarest and surely the most expensive in the world, is considered a true Holy Grail.
Distillery
Saint James (Saint-Pierre)
The original production home of the Saint James brand of Martinique rhum agricole, located within the Habitation Trou-Vaillant near the town of Saint-Pierre. The distillery and brand were acquired by Cointreau & Cie SA in 1973, who moved production to a new distillery in Sainte-Marie
Production type
Cane juice rum,
Traditional rum
Brand
Saint James
One of the most well-known brands of AOC rhum agricole from Martinique. A historic label, it has been sold since 1765 when it was first exported to North America by the Pères de la Charité. It is today owned by La Martinquaise and produced at its distillery in Sainte-Marie.
Founded
1765
Production type
Cane juice rum
Company
Ernest Lambert & Co
A company established in 1905 by brothers Ernest and Eugene Lambert. It owned a number of plantations across Martinique, including Trou-Vaillant where its distillery produced rum for the Saint James brand. It subsequently divested from its rum interests in 1955.
Founded
1905
Company type
Distiller
Due to size/weight of items, this lot will charge a 2 bottle shipping fee.
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Condition report
Low fill level
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