Aroma visualization from community tastings
Saint James Les Éphémères - N°5 2005
Give it twenty minutes in the glass and it wakes up: dry French-oak wood, dried fruit and raisin, a cognac-like roundness, and that classic Saint James glue-and-menthol edge. A 16-year tropical-aged Martinique agricole at cask strength. Several tasters call it the driest, most spice-forward of the Éphémères series, with a long warming finish. A few drops of water tame the alcohol nicely.
The community says- Cognac-like roundness
- Dried fruit depth
- But: Turns bitter
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The look inside the bottle
How does Saint James Les Éphémères - N°5 2005 taste?
Aggregated from 123 community reviews.
Dry, woody aged Martinique agricole Well-liked across the series for its dry oak, dried fruit and cognac notes. Most agree it's balanced but wood- and spice-dominant; some find it a touch bitter and less thrilling than the 2001.
Agricole fans who like dry, woody, spice-heavy aged rum
Anyone wanting sweet, fruity or easy sipping
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
48 of 123 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Recommendation
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One difference each to this rum.
Rated better
Saint James Les Ephémères - N°1 2001
8.8/10295 €
More intense
Saint James Les Éphémères - N°6 2006
8.5/10125 €
Similar rating, cheaper
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8.2/1058 €First choice: 72 of 83 tasters who tried both prefer it.
How is Saint James Les Éphémères - N°5 2005 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.5 sits in the “Very good” band. 99% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 0% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
95% rate it 8 or higher. 49 selected write-ups from 123 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by Dr.Django
Most helpful positive review
Direct comparison between the St. James Epheremes 5 & 7: both are great examples of typical agricole with woody notes, dried fruits, lots of leather and a long dry finish. The grassy aromas are only subliminally present here. No. 5 is a little lighter and fruitier on the palate, while No. 7 is a little more astringent and mouth-filling, but with slightly less well-integrated alcohol. For me, both are on a par, depending on the mood of the day.
Review by Adrien B
Most helpful mixed review
N cire parquet, fruit blanc prune B très épicé, poivre noir, gris boisé, amertume Édit 80 N fruit à coque, noyau, orange, cirage B gros boisé fondu assez rond 1/6/7/5
Review by Galli33
Amazing Rum!! I really enjoyed the glue/cognac note which comes from the french oak barrel, I guess. Also the fruity tastes of apple, pear and strawberries🤤 The barrel and ABV is integrated very well. Conclusion of my tasting: 2006<<<2005<2001 (Roberto style 😜)
Review by DomM
Intense in the nose clearly benefiting from the eleborated ABV. Wood influence is strong in the nose yet not overwhelming. On the palate I like the balance even better, with more emphasis on dried fruits overall. For me ahead of the 2006, while the 2001 is the best of the range imo.
Review by Joachim Guger
Die typischen Saint James-Marker sind in der Nase gut erkennbar. Zuerst recht schüchtern, traut er sich zu Beginn kaum aus dem Glas. Sehr ausgewogen, perfekt geschmolzen, schön dosierte Holzreife, fein. 🪵🪵🪵 Im Mund dann floral 💐🌸🌺 und würzig. Sehr schön wärmender Abgang. Holzig, würzig. Sehr guter Saint James, insgesamt auf der gediegenen Seite, ohne die brachiale Holzigkeit. Vielen Dank nach Bonn!
Review by cigares
A rum tasted at the WLP. A fruity, roasted and woody nose. Unfortunately a little rustic on the palate, the fruit then shines through, along with the herbaceousness. The finish is shimmering. A fine agricole!
Review by Gunnar Böhme "Bauerngaumen" 🤓
Tasted on 06.02.2024 (unfortunately without notes): Tasted at the same time as RX18129, but more or less no chance against the heavyweight from 2006 despite a similar length of time in the cask. Don't get me wrong: This Agricole is really not bad, in my opinion more drinkable than No. 6 and 7, but the rhum released for Excellence Rhum's 10th birthday is simply a league better, more expressive, especially on the palate.
Review by zabo
Only nibbled briefly when filling the sample. This is therefore only my first rough assessment. But I will taste it again at my leisure. Edit: Tasted it again at leisure. Unfortunately, I don't find it as sparkling as it was at the beginning. Not bad but not outstanding either. Therefore corrected downwards a little.
Review by Timo Groeger
Penultimate rum for today. It's a nice Saint Jaimes. Not quite my taste, but no matter, still delicious :) Tastes woody and casky, I think it's quite good. Delicious, recommendation is out :)
Review by Mirco
Beautiful bottling, solid quality. Rum with great wood, spice and dried fruit. The long finish is somewhat bitter with subtle leather. N.1 jg 2001 is and remains the star of the range.
Review by Thunderbird
A worthy conclusion to this series and a bottling that fits seamlessly! He is a little more pleasing than his two predecessors and that suits him very well! Top!
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#4362 22.10.2023 Whisky Live 2023
Review by Stefan Persson
Tasted this great expression at Rum Fest Paris VIP Area. This the 5th release in this series was distilled in 2005 and bottled brut de fût. It was aged in 320-liter French oak barrels close to 17 years before bottled in 5006 bottles. The nose is complex, elegant, flowery, woody, fruity, dry, warm and nutty with scents of cocoa, mocha, vanilla At the palate is the aroma confirmed in the flavors together with ripe fruits and some spiciness. The finish is long.
Review by Michael Ihmels 🇩🇪
A very nice Saint James. Nice and woody on the nose with a little glue. Wood is just as clearly recognizable on the palate. But there are also notes of barrel and glue. A solid rum.
Review by Johannes
Once again an extremely good SJ with a nice fruity, sticky note. But does not come close to the 2001.
Review by LukaŽiga
8,8:On the nose, really fruity with dried fruits, citrus, tropical, yellow fruits, especially peaches are strong, as woody notes are roasted with nuts, spicy with a cinnamon, medicinal with some glue. On aeration, a sugarcane juice is opening attack, besides tea, intensely with herbaceous, flowery touch, the wood is toasted, a bit resinous, some lime peel neutralizes bitterness, so do caramel, burnt sugar. 8,6:On the palate, the attack is dry, fruity with dried fruits and pear, woody with roasted notes like caramel, nuts, baked apple, spicy with pepper and chilli, vanilla, the sugarcane is herbal, floral, brings tea.Resting the rum helps fruit notes like yellow, lime peel and banana, perhaps apple and tasty pastry, also menthol, the wood is resinous a bit. 8,5:The finish is quite long, dry and woody with tannins, waxy, there is a sandal wood, juicy sugarcane with honeycomb, fruits from palate, allspice, some bitterness...
Review by Boletus
Braucht Zeit im Glas, um aufzutauen, aber die Geduld wird belohnt, denn neben der von Beginn an präsenten, massiven Eiche mit Eukalyptus und Kampfer entstehen immer mehr würzige Aromen und fruchtige Momente, die zwischen tropischen Früchten und Kernobst wie Äpfel und Birnen hin und her pendeln. Ein toller Agricole, bei dem man aber eine gewisse Affinität zur Holzigkeit mitbringen sollte.
Review by Rene Pfeiffer
Cross-tasting of the 4 Ephemeres Saint James: The 2001 is by far the best. Great balanced Agricole, which is the oldest in the group at 20y, but after the 2007, which is the youngest, tastes the least woody and bitter. 2007: nice, rather fruity, 8.3. 2006: bitter and woody in comparison, 7.9. 2005: balanced (8.5), but not as fine as the 2001 (8.9).
Review by Maxence
Sweet nose perfectly balancing fruits, wood and round notes. On the palate, plums, grapes and dark chocolate add more complexity to the profile. A very good rum overall. Much better balanced and less dry/spicy than the VandB 2001. Nice one !
Review by Jarek
Finally tasted all four Ephemeres together today. All four are very good and I can hardly pick a favorite. I really like No. 6 on the nose, with its clear orange notes. On the palate, it would be No. 1.
Review by Serge
Great apple/roasted apple notes with cognac, cooked pear, menthol, wood and vanilla, cinnamon and some glue. Nice and dry on the palate.
Review by Filip Šikula
One of those variants where the smell doesn't prepare one for the taste. In the aroma, it's pretty technical for me, tasting of fruit bomb, bompary, tuti fruti and gummy bears. It goes back to technical glues and other goodies in the finish. Great for me!
Review by Godspeed
It’s a fine rum but a little boring. Goes for a kind of neutrality in its taste and finds it, but in that doldrum it also means nothing really exciting goes on. Standard woody and spicy barrely st James profile. I miss the fruitiness of the 6 and the sparkly elegance of the 1. Good value for money but not an exciting release, honestly only the 1 really is in this series purely in terms of taste. That being said I applaud St James for putting out full proof products like this with long tropical ageing at a more than reasonable price. It is extremely appreciated and something to not take for granted.
Review by TheRhumhoe
The latest Saint James in the Éphémères series, this cuvée lives up to all its promises. The nose offers a fresh, noble woodiness on sandalwood, with a slight agricultural touch that's not too disturbing. Spices and roasted notes take over, followed by a rather expressive fruitiness (exotic fruit, citrus, dried fruit) and a metallic touch. A diverse, complex nose. On the palate, the rum is drier and more tannic, but retains good balance. The agricultural notes lean more towards medicinal, floral and menthol, before the spicy woodiness returns with darker, spicy notes. The fruit is more discreet, but the alcohol is well integrated. The finish is long, dry and even astringent. The herbaceous (aromatic herbs) and medicinal side is finer, while the woodiness returns in full force with sandalwood. Leather, mocha and notes of chili and aniseed bring a lively finish. A fine conclusion to a series that puts Saint James at the forefront of agricultural rum.
Review by Andi
An der Nase sehr fruchtig, Zitrusfrüchte, getrocknete Früchte. Dann metalisch, Klebstoff und Holz. Wirkt sehr komplex. Am Gaumen dann sehr grasig, aber auch sehr viel Frucht, Holz und hinten raus eine dezente Menthol Note. Der Abgang bleibt lange im Mund. Auf jeden Fall nichts „leichtes“ er ist schon sehr fordernd.
Review by Maxime Clr 🇫🇷
#8 RCP Advent calendar After tasting live whisky, it's time for a blind taste. And I was well fooled! Great nose, drier mouth!
Review by rbfsnow
My favorit from Les Ephemeres Serie 😋 very dry, perfect wood & spicy balance, dried fruits and long tasting.
Review by lars
Ich bin hin und hergerissen. Zwar etwas verhaltener als der No1, aber trotzdem noch eine schöne Nase. An Gaumen dominieren bei mir die Cognacnoten. Allerdings stört mich dass er schnell viel zu bitter ist.
Review by Lot-NAS
Well, that was a surprise. First of all, it needs a lot of time to develop in your glass. In addition I recommend to add just a few drops of water to tame the alcohol a little bit. This adds to a great Cognac-ish nose with a lot of fruits, hints of flowers and some spices. The palate is rich with fruits, grapes, pears, apples, some vanilla and Bratapfel. The finish is just the right amount of wood, fruit, some honey and beeswax without any bitterness (don’t forget the water).
Review by Speedflo
Ich habe ein Crosstasting gmacht mit den Saint James les Éphémèresn°5-7. Allesamt sehr leckere rum, aussgewogen, holzig, würzig, typisch martinique N°5 find ich alles in allem am spannendsten,obwohl mir in der Nase n°6 am beste zugesagt hat.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
You have to be into this sour, mentholy fresh astringent note, it's not really my cup of tea. But still an exciting and very unusual bottling! This blatant menthol note is the only reason I'm going a little higher with the points, because it really sets it apart from the other bottlings!
Review by Martin Švojgr
The most bitter and dry of the whole series.
Review by Julien Ries
Le nez est typiquement martiniquais. Il sent bon le canne à sucre gorgée de soleil, avec le poivre caractéristique. Il y a beaucoup d'épices, mais avec un fond assez medicinal (réglisse, clou de girofle) et un peu d'essence. Il y a un peu de fruits, mais des fruits secs : raisin de Corinthe, un peu de pâte de coing. Le boisé race arrive en deuxième nez après un temps d'aération. L'attaque sur le palais est puissant et ample, et on est sur des vieux martiniquais : clou de girofle encore, cannelle, poivre noir. La canne est très présente malgré son âge. Le fût apparaît en fin de bouche, mais il est assez discret. La longueur en bouche est moyennement haute, avec ce boisé persistant et ces épices de cuisine. Pour résumer, beaucoup de caractère, essentiellement sur les épices au point que c'est très envahissant en bouche. Cela pourrait ne pas plaire à tout le monde.
Review by Djehey
Dégustation comparative des éphémère 7, 6, 5. J'ai déjà pu apprécier une bouteille de l'éphémère 1. Globalement, on perçoit immédiatement la Martinique. On pourrait aussi reconnaître la patte de Saint James avec son boisé qui part sur l'empyreumatique 7 : le nez est plus fermé que les 2 autres mais la bouche à un belle équilibre avec un boisé pas trop présent. 5 : profil plus boisé et épicé mais aussi avec une touche de colle, vernis, menthol qu'on retrouve en bouche. Vanille bien présente sur la finale 6 : il me semble un peu à la jointure des deux précédents. Belle longueur. Au final, ce sont 3 beaux jus. La préférence dépendra des goûts de chacun. Me concernant, j'ai une préférence pour le 7 puis le 6 et enfin le 5.
Review by Fabrice Rouanet
After a few minutes' aeration, this aged agricultural rum reveals the full richness of its aromatic bouquet, subtly blending woody, spicy and fruity notes. The palate is remarkably intense, balanced and silky, despite the 51.8% brut de fût content, which gives it power and length. A pure delight for discerning connoisseurs, with a lingering, warm finish that testifies to Saint James' expertise and the care lavished on this ephemeral edition number 5.
Review by TheJackDrop
Whisky Live 2023, quick tasting session! I admit I was expecting more, not much difference from #6. It's still very good.
Review by DeMaddin
Je länger man Ihm im Glas lässt, desto mehr öffnet er sich. Holzig, mit schöner Cognacnote, würzig leicht grasige dreckige ledrige Töne, in der Nase eine leichte Schärfe. Ebenso trocken, grasig, pfeffrig, ledrig, am Gaumen und im Abgang dominiert ebenfalls schön das Cognacfass mit. Ein wunderbar komplexer Agricole.
Review by Buddudharma
Beautiful agricole with a wonderful balance of flavor nuances. Nevertheless, a little more intensity would not have hurt the rum. After cross-tasting with 3 other St. James, I'll have to adjust it down a little, as the intensity here simply leaves a lot to be desired.
Review by Alex1981
Better than 7/6, nice agricole notes with some power and balance. Looks like age does matter with St. James
Review by Émile Shevek
The nose is rich and full-bodied with solvents, tobacco, red fruits, burnt sugar, wood and sweet spices. The palate is warm with fruit, spice, wood and tobacco, then on the finish it becomes almost tannic and the spices (including tonka beans) come to the fore, leaving an aftertaste that tends to be dry. In the empty glass spices and seasoned
Review by Jean Louisss
Superbe rhum. Impressionnant de rondeur et d'équilibre au nez. La bouche est un plus porté sur le bois et les épices qui dominent mais ça reste très agréable.
Review by BottleShrimp
Le plus équilibré des 4 éphémères à mon palais. Un boisé toujours dominant mais qui laisse s'exprimer d'autres saveurs, d'où cet équilibre relatif. Un côté vernis / médicamenteux un peu trop appuyé en fin de bouche empêche toutefois de l'apprécier pleinement.
Review by Alexander Rasch
Very very exciting rum. What's going on. The nose super complex. Metallic and fruity. But also smoky. On the palate cool, medicinal, edgy and somehow musty. The finish dry and then kind of thin. Intriguing. Not my top favorite but glad to have tasted it.
Review by Renato
Un rhum agricole très boisé. La noblesse du chêne français associée à la fraîcheur de la canne à sucre pour un résultat gourmand qui tutoie le cognac extra old.
Review by Fasen
Un bois bien présent mais plutôt bien équilibré ainsi qu'une belle dose de fruits !
Review by Alexandre Pinto
Rather dry noble wood, alcohol better integrated than in #6 in its kind is very successful
Review by EUDIER Vincent
I started the Ephemera series in reverse, and this latest (and therefore first) beverage is a great success. As usual, it's very clean and delicate, with a nice progression and a soft, enveloping warmth that lasts long enough...
Review by Florian Salce
En bouche, je sens particulièrement du jus de goyave 🤔 (vers la fin notamment).
Review by Matej
Another agricole rum with superb color. Pleasant aroma with hint of cocoa, fruit, lot of wood, smoke and mint scent, which is very interesting. Aroma of this rum is kinda fresh and at the same time feels old (old wood). Taste is full of bitter, spice, wood and it is acidic. I noticed some fruit and menthol (almost like tooth paste). Finish is warm, spicy and bittery with menthol flavor. Another interesting sample from agricole family which can be good even for agricole rookie. Need to try more bottles of this selection.
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Expert reviews
Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by The Rum Champion
Got to taste this lovely expression in Florida at Otto’s High Dive. I am a huge fan of Saint James and especially their higher proof expression. leather, tobacco, vanilla, lemon peel, orange, apricot, nectarine I loved this
Live auctions
Current bids for this rum at Europe's leading auction houses.
Market value
What this bottle last achieved at auction. A research indicator, not a forecast.
Auction results 70 € – 113 €
from 12 sales, latest 07/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 125 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about Saint James Les Éphémères - N°5 2005
A Rhum Agricole AOC from Martinique, distilled by Saint James, at 51,8%.
Community purchases
270 bottles logged by 191 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
11% opened, 7 emptied and repurchased.
What does Saint James Les Éphémères - N°5 2005 cost?
Community paid 113–130 €.
Current best price: 123.96 € – within the typical community range.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
270 purchased · 125 tasted · 44 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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