Bielle 2011 vs. Bielle 2013 (Rasta Morris)

Bielle distillery is located on the Marie-Galante island, a part of Guadaloupe. It has always been the cane sugar island, with the production of rum agricole since the late 19th century.

I know Bielle is one of the favourite malternatives of Bert Bruyneel, who runs the whisky bottler Asta Morris and the sister brand Rasta Morris. In 2019 he bottled two casks: one from 2011 (RM 009) and recently also a 2013 (RM 015).

Like most of these rums, they aged most of their life on the island, but they usually also spend some time in Europe (France) prior to bottling.

 

 

Bielle 6 yo 2013 (55,7%, Rasta Morris 2019, bourbon cask, 258 btl.)

Nose: a very round, fruity nose. Mango and roasted pineapple, a few raisins coated with white chocolate, with hints of waxed oak. Cinnamon and candied ginger. Vanilla pastry as well.

Mouth: punchy, with more peppery / oaky touches now. Cinnamon and mint stand out, also a few leafy notes. Stewed fruit (peach, apple) in the background. Hints of roasted coffee beans and dark fruit tea. Maybe a slight musky / fragrant note as well, maybe bergamots.

Finish: long, with some floral spices, liquorice and sugar cane juice.

Spoiler: this is my favourite of the two. It’s got the beautiful agricole character, with thick, juicy fruits and balanced oak. Simply a great rum.

 

 

 

Bielle 8 yo 2011 (53,9%, Rasta Morris 2019, bourbon cask, 195 btl.)

Nose: the fruits are still present (more towards banana now), but this is more marked by the wood. Some mentholated notes, even a light medicinal touch. Pine wood. More ginger. Also darker caramelized notes in the background.

Mouth: a similar, fresh combination of minty notes, eucalyptus, pepper and nutmeg, light fruits and caramelized hints. Some walnuts, perhaps a few pencil shavings now as well. Liquorice.

Finish: long, with liquorice and cedar wood. A few drops of medicinal syrups as well.

Also very good, but this one is more oak-influenced, two extra years are easy to notice. Personal preferences. Available from stores in the Benelux but also from The Whisky Exchange.