Rhum J Bally – One Man’s Passion Begets Everlasting Top Shelf Pleasure
Most everyone, I imagine, is driven in some small way to leave his or her own special mark on the world. Whether through art, commerce, raising great kids, or establishing a groovy website, we all want to be remembered, right? Sometimes we need help establishing our legacies. Other times, as was the case with Jacques Bally, we’re better off going it alone.
Jacques is the man behind Martinique’s Rhum J Bally, one of the most exalted vintage spirits in the world. If you knew him prior to his arrival in Martinique in the early 1900s, though, you might find the everlasting mark he left on the world a bit hard to believe.
An Uncommon Rhum Master
You see, old Jacques was a Centralien, or a graduate of the famed Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures (ECP) in Paris. Originally founded in 1829, it remains today one of the foremost engineering schools in the world.
Not sure what Jacques was thinking when he left Paris for the dark and lovely volcanic shores of Le Carbet on the north Caribbean coast of Martinique in 1917. Just 15 years prior, nearby Mount Pelée had erupted, completely destroying the Paris of the Caribbean, Saint Pierre, nestled a mere five minutes up the coast.
Where some may have seen an impossible challenge, though, Jacques saw opportunity.
The Making of Distillerie Rhum J Bally
He acquired the Lajus Plantation, a former sugar estate founded in 1670. Lajus was available at a nice price, of course, considering the fresh memories of Pelée. The 1902 eruption left the estate in bankruptcy. It was eventually seized before Jacques came along.
Almost immediately, the French engineer sets out to rebuild Lajus. This time, though, the sweet stuff produced here would be rhum.
He installs a new steam engine, updates usable existing equipment, and builds a new distilling column virtually by himself. He even designs his own bottles – first triangular, later square.
Of course, he also produces the rhum.
J. Bally Takes Off
Rhum J. Bally becomes an instant success, its alluring amber color and undeniable aromatic quality quickly winning over rhum lovers all across Martinique. By 1930, it’s known on the world stage.
Expanded production, Jacques’ passing, and brand acquisition by Remy Cointreau in later years eventually cause production to be moved from Lajus to the centralized Simon Distillery. Jacques’ imprint, though, remains in every bottle of J. Bally. As noted by the company…
The craftsmanship of the methods developed by Jacques Bally (and which have been scrupulously safeguarded during all phases of the production process) enables rum enthusiasts to taste what is most likely the best rum in the world. Each vintage… is thus a veritable chef d’oeuvre…
Of course you’d expect J. Bally to sing its own praises, but I’m here to tell you… they’re not lying.
Toasty Tasting Notes
The rhum vieux pictured above that I enjoyed in the shadow of Mount Pelée a few years ago has always stood out to me as a singular sipping experience.
It was a chilly afternoon high up in the mountains. A steady rain beat down all around us. No matter. J. Bally kept me warm and happy, its subtle spiciness and woody flavor maintaining a smile on my face despite the weather. Beautifully well-rounded, refined, and smooth, with just the perfect level of burn, J. Bally Rhum Vieux seemed tailor-made for my surroundings… which, of course, it was.
J. Bally doesn’t go overboard on production. Only about 250,000 liters are released to the global market annually. Look for it in your better liquor stores.
Nothing, though, can match the joy of sipping Rhum J Bally in the lush northern regions of Martinique that so captivated and inspired Jacques Bally in the first place.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend heading up here with a bottle…
À votre santé!
Related Posts
Friday Happy Hour: Martinique’s Magnifique Rhum JM Vieux Agricole VSOP
Rhum Clément Cuvée Festive – Le Joie de Rhum
Visiting the Depaz Distillery in Northern Martinique
Rhum Agricole La Favorite Cuvée Spéciale de la Flibuste
Friday Happy Hour: My All-Too-Sudden Surrender to Rhum Saint James Quintessence
