The Rhum J.M Jardin Fruit is the first in a series of three cocktail focused special releases for the distillery, the “Atelier des Rhums” series, each exploring different flavor profiles achieved through various cask treatments and types. While the Fume Volcaniquerepresents intense smoky notes and the pices Croles impresses with warm and spicy notes, the Jardin Fruit presents itself from a fruity and hearty side through a variety of lightly toasted French and American oak barrels. Aged for 2 years, the aroma is certainly fruit forward, with mango, berries, and fruit salad in syrup up front, with warm cinnamon and a hint of the grassy cane reminding you that this is still agricole rum. The palate is full of fruit and spices, with guava, banana, and mango meeting cinnamon, nutmeg, and tonka bean. Sips well on its own and makes a killer upgrade to any tropical punch or daiquiri variation, but the rum shines brightest in a spirit forward stirred cocktail like an old fashioned or Rum Manhattan, with the balance of fruit and spice making for a robust and characterful sip. Bottled at 42% abv.