Return to Rhum J.M.: Reviewing the Blanc 55% and Binny's Single Barrel Réserve Spéciale

The last time I reviewed the northernmost Rhum Agricole on Martinique, it was their standard 50% ABV Blanc (   • Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Blanc review  ). But now they've come out with a stronger version of the same stuff in bar-ready 1-liter bottles, and I figured it was worth seeing what that extra oomph was worth. But it also needed a good sparring partner. Stats: Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Blanc (Martinique, marked 22/03/19, 55% ABV), 88-/100 Rhum J.M. Single Barrel Rum Réserve Spéciale Rhum Agricole Vieux (Martinique, American oak barrel #14 09 158 for Binny's, aged 01/09/2014-12/07/2018, 372 bottles; 47.3% ABV), 84+/100 The Blanc 55 is just awesome, although there's an odd floral note that comes out with the addition of water. The aged version has some of the same "look at me, I'm bourbon" problems as that Clement I reviewed awhile back (see    • Age Is Not Oak, Oak Is Not Smooth (reviewi...  ), but it's still very solid. In short, this is why you should be drinking more agricole rhum.