From the shelf
Everything we have from Saint James
Click on a bottle for the rest of the details.
A square bottle for a reason
The square bottle of Saint James is not a design whim. It was devised in 1882 by Paulin Lambert to save space in the ship’s hold and to reduce breakage during transport. Round bottles roll, square ones do not.
What is in it is rhum agricole: made from freshly pressed cane juice, distilled in a Creole column and bound to the AOC Martinique of 1996. The same rules apply to Clément, which we also stock.
The four bottles we have are located
Sainte-Marie, on the east coast
- The house in brief
- 1765The Broeders van Liefde start the distillery.
- 1882The square bottle is imported.
- 1973Move to Sainte-Marie.
- 1996The AOC Martinique comes into force.
Saint James began in 1765 at the Habitation Trou Vaillant on the west side of Martinique, set up by the Brothers of Charity under the leadership of Father Edmond Lefébure. In 1973 the distillery moved to Sainte-Marie on the east coast.
In the cellar of the house lie vintages going back to 1885. That is exceptional for rum; most houses do not have such old stocks.
Distilled in a colonne créole, the continuous column still that the AOC prescribes. Maturation takes place on Martinique itself, in the tropical climate.
A square bottle does not roll in a ship's hold.
Where best to start
The Impérial Blanc is the introduction to agricole and the bottle for a ti’ punch.
The 7 year is the point at which you start drinking it neat; the 12 and the 15 are the bottles for relaxed sipping.
Put a Clément next to it if you want to compare two rhum agricole houses.
Frequently asked questions about Saint James
How many bottles of Saint James does ’t Bockje have in stock?
4: the Impérial Blanc and the 7, 12 and 15 years.
Why is the bottle square?
That shape was introduced in 1882 to save space in ships’ holds and to reduce breakage during transport.
What is rhum agricole?
Rum made from freshly pressed sugar cane juice instead of molasses. On Martinique this is laid down in the AOC.
How old is Saint James?
The distillery started in 1765 and is therefore one of the oldest rhum houses of Martinique.
Where is the distillery?
In Sainte-Marie on the east coast of Martinique, since the move in 1973.
Which Saint James is best to try first?
The Impérial Blanc if you want to get to know agricole, the 7 years if you prefer to drink aged rum.
Order, collect or drop by
- In stock in our shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen
- Available to order online and have delivered, including abroad
- Order online or collect in Bathmen
- Personal advice via 0570 541 278 or info@bockje.nl
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 09.00–18.00, Saturday 09.00–17.00. Closed Monday and Sunday
Wij verkopen geen alcohol aan personen onder de 18 jaar. NIX18.
All 4 bottles at a glance
Each bottle shows the details from the label.
Keep browsing
Brink 2, Bathmen
All our stock is in the shop, not in a warehouse somewhere else. If you walk in with a name you couldn't find anywhere, it is often simply here on the shelf. You can also call: 0570 541 278.
Wij verkopen geen alcohol aan personen onder de 18 jaar. NIX18
- Tuesday to Friday 09.00 – 18.00
- Saturday 09.00 – 17.00
- Monday and Sunday closed