Opinions Please:Duquesne Élevé Sous Bois Rum

Wondering if anyone has tried Duquesne Élevé Sous Bois Rum as the Agricole component in a Mai Tai? I'll be using Appleton 12 (while I have it) as the Jamaican component. Any opinions appreciated.

Mahalo,

Craig

IMO it's always a shame when a thread gets few replies, so I have a done a little research on Duquesne Eleve Sous Bois to contribute some links: Info is scant on this rhum!

Link 1: http://blueprintspirits.com/product/duquesne-rhum-agricole-eleve-sous-bois/

Link 2: http://www.ministryofrum.com/producerdetails.php?t=13

Link 3: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/dining/savoring-rum-fresh-from-the-cane-review.html?pagewanted=all

Although link 1 is not a review, it states that Eleve Sous Bois is younger than is required to be a Rhum Vieux...

Link 2 has a video of Ed Hamilton talking about Duquesne - his company (Carribean Spirits) are the importer / distributor so it's likely to be bias but (on the other hand) Ed appears to be quite knowledgable on Martinque Rhums & he doesn't plug the rum, he just describes it. So it's kind of a neutral point?! :)

The NY Times article (link 3) rates it as lower table with 2 1/2 stars.

I can't contribute any personal review (but no-one else has either!) so I suppose the question is: Would I buy it blind?

Erm, probably not. Given that it is younger 'Rhum Vieux' age it will probably be a bit rougher round the ages than an older rum.

The first agricole I got was Saint James Amber, the vegetal / grassy taste surprised me! After a trying & buying a few slightly more expensive versions SJ Rhum Vieux / Hors D'Age is much improved. Just my 2 cents!

And a wee bit more...

http://www.robsrum.com/RumAgricole.html

La Mauny - Martinique - aged in oak for 18 months, this traditional agricole presents a medium amber copper color with golden highlights, offering fresh cane, burnt brown sugar, baking spice and charred wood, with a well rounded mouth feel, featuring a palate of grassy vegetal tones with oak, brown sugar, sweet toffee and dried ripe fruits, leading to a very warm semi-dry finish

Thanks for the kind replies!

Since St James Hors D'Age was out of stock I was looking for a sub that was in stock nearby. I ended up going with Clement Grande Reserve 6 Year, which is really good (and should be for $55.00), but I still prefer the St James for the Agricole component of my Mai Tai.

Chip and Andy, I did not know La Mauny was the Elevé Sous Bois inquired about in the original post. I have had La Mauny and it is a serviceable but unexceptional amber agricole. It's relatively young age is apparent in it's lack of complex flavors. It has the vegetal notes but they are subdued and sort of flat compared to St. James Royal Ambre. It is much more one-dimensional than the other rhum vieux I have had. Makes a drinkable 'Ti Punch and would probably be a good gateway rhum to introduce the agricole style to new audiences.

Saw this & thought of this post:

Not a review, but an indication that it must be ok if Three Dots & A Dash use it?