MG (BIELLE) 2003 9 YEARS OLD 49% VELIER

This is a rhum vieux agricole distilled at Bielle distillery and bottled by Velier.

THE BRAND

In the 18th century, Jean-Pierre Bielle and his family owned a coffee plantation on the island of Marie Galante in the Guadeloupe archipelago. In 1826, after his death, two of his sons Nicolas and Maximilien, joined their forces to establish a sugar factory. Nicolas died in 1847 and in 1857, the property passed to the Espanet family company. In 1868, after its dissolution, the Espanet heirs took over the company that was sold in 1882 to Ernest Bourjac to cover their debts.

The distillery was founded by the end of the 19^th century.

In 1955 the distillery was acquired by Paul Rameaux and in 1975 the control passed to the SEDB (Société d’Exploitation de la Distillerie Bielle) whose president nowadays is Dominique Thiery, the nephew of Paul. Production starts from pure cane juice. The distillery operates an old Savalle still and a bespoke still designed by Vittorio Capovilla and hand-made in Germany in the workshops of Müller.

THE BOTTLER

Velier was founded by the Chaix family in Genova in 1947 as a small traditional company specialised in the importation and distribution of wines, champagnes and spirits. In 1983, a young Luca Gargano, former brand ambassador for Saint James at that time, acquired shares in Velier. Under his influence the company began spacialising in the importation of outstanding spirits exclusively destinated to the Italian market. By the early 90s Luca heard about a legendary stock of Saint James rum dating back probably to 1885 and bottled in 1952. After a complex negotiation, he finally managed to acquire the entire stock. This was only the first of a list of legendary selections to come in the following years.