Saison Rum
Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad
The house of Tessendier has been distilling, blending and aging eaux-de-vie for over 130 years using Charentais stills in traditional Cognac methods. Now, the Tessendier brothers, Jérôme and Lilian, are transforming their knowledge of blending and aging techniques to a different world of spirits: rum. By carefully selecting distillates from different regional terroirs of the Caribbean, the brothers have created a unique blended rum in accordance with their historical French method of cognac production that similarly showcase the typicity of these terroirs.
Jérôme is the blender, who creates rum in four key stages: origins, aging, finishing and blending. Each of these stages follows the previous one, like the four seasons. This innovative, sequenced approach produces the rum known as Saison, the French word for Season. Jérôme’s intention is to showcase the typicity of these terroirs through his knowledge of blending to create the perfect balance: the richness in molasses from pot still rums blended with the light and delicate notes from the sugarcane distillation in columns.
Spirits
Saison Triple Cask Rum Trinidad
Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad
Aged at origin primarily up to 5 years in ex-bourbon American white oak casks. The single origin casks are then sent to Tessendier for blending, followed by 24 months of finishing ageing in France, first in mature, medium grain, French oak barrels to extract slightly roasted and spicy aromas; and finally, and most subtly, the rum is finished in fine grain French oak barrels to create a delicious and harmonious finale.
Saison Triple Cask Rum Barbados
Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad
Aged at origin primarily up to 3 years in ex-bourbon American white oak casks. The single origin casks are then sent to Tessendier for blending, followed by 24 months of finishing ageing in France, first in mature, medium grain, French oak barrels to extract slightly roasted and spicy aromas; and finally, and most subtly, the rum is finished in fine grain French oak barrels to create a delicious and harmonious finale.
Saison Reserve Rum
Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad
A powerful, epicurean rum with a fruity and spicy alliance. Once aerated, the nose looses to yield a collection of aromas such as candied fruits, prunes, vanilla and lychee as well as spicy notes like ginger and mixed peppercorns. On the palate it appears velvety yet fresh, with a well balanced and long, graceful finish.
Saison Pale Rum
Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad
A fruity rum with nuanced notes of vanilla and banana flambé followed by a honeyed finish in a subtle marriage between freshness and unctuosity.
Saison Rum
A beautifully elegant style of rum with sophisticated flavors of white flowers, baked pineapple, and molasses cake. The palate is lush and harmonic, filling the whole mouth with its decadent golden flavors & slowly fading into a finish of vanilla & melon.
People
Jérôme Tessendier
The house of Tessendier has been distilling, blending and aging subtle eaux-de-vie for over 130 years (since 1880.) The Tessendier brothers, Jérôme and Lilian, now apply their knowledge of blending and aging techniques to a different world of spirits: rum. Jérôme Tessendier, one of the Tessendier sons, was itching to explore another spirit and felt the closest cousin to Cognac was Rum. They share common views on production, and have similar terroirs. With rum and cognac, it is all about smell and taste, with finish being the most important impact.
Jérôme saw an opportunity to do something different as the average rum drinker drinks dark and sweet rum. Most rums add wood extract (to show more age) and this causes bitter notes which have to be counteracted by adding sugar. Jérôme, with the help of his brother Lilian, aimed to create a transparent spirit and decided against dosage. He sources and buys rums directly from distilleries from the islands of Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica, and then intricately blends the juice to create a spirit of unique complexity. He then finishes the blend in previously used ex-young XO cognac casks.
