The Caribbean’s Largest and Best Selection of Rhum Agricole
While most of the Caribbean islands produce Rum, Martinique could be considered the rum capital of the Caribbean with over 10 distilleries and likely more than a hundred different rhums produced. Take note that French “Rhum Agricole” (‘agricultural rum’ in English) is made directly from sugar cane juice, not molasses like almost all other rums made in the Caribbean.
The Martinique distillers take their rum-making seriously – You can tell from the terminology used to describe their rhums, which is more akin to brandies or wines. This includes rhum ‘vintages’ as well as classifications such as VO, VSOP, and XO. Another important distinction is that, unlike a number of islands today, Martinique rhum is made from locally grown sugar cane. In fact, each rhum’s “terroir”, is a big deal, reflecting the geographical region of Martinique where the cane was grown.
When buying Martinique rhum, ensure the AOC designation is clearly identified on the bottle’s label. The AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée), similar to French-made wines, spirits and cheeses, certifies the quality, character and authenticity of Martinique rhums. For example, that the spirit is made from pure fresh cane juice, from cane harvested between January and August, and old rums have been aged appropriately in oak barrels.
Another great thing about Martinique’s distilleries is that most of them are open to the public, offering free or reasonably plantation/distillery tours, along with rhum tasting and storefronts to purchase the rhum(s) of your choice.
There are many, many Martinique rhums, they include:
Distillerie Saint-James et Musée du Rhum [SUST-ECO]
The distillery has been producing rhum since 1765 and is a long-time supplier of rhum agricole to North America. Saint James rhums are pesticide free and their ‘carbon neutral’ distillery operations utilize internal compost as well as recycled liquids/water.
Rhum Saint James produces:
- A half a dozen White and Gold rhums (varying in strength / age)
- A few Organic White rhums (varying in strength)
- A handful of Old Rhums, aged from 3 to 15 years
- A handful of Vintage Rhums
- A couple of flavoured rhums beverages
The Museum of Rhum Saint James, located in Sainte-Marie, is open to the public and features a museum, distillery tour, and plantation, as well as a large storefront with a tasting room.
For a personal review of the Saint James facilities, check out our Martinique Rhum Tour blog post
Habitation Clément
The 18th-century estate is known as the birthplace of rhum agricole. The facilities are now famous for the Clément Foundation, focusing on the arts and the cultural heritage of Martinique.
Clement produces:
- Classic collection = Half a dozen White and Gold rhums (varying in strength / age)
- Bar & Cocktails collection = White and Amber rhums, including a Creole Shrubb
- Prestige Collection = Over half a dozen well aged Old hums and Vintage Rhums
- A wide variety of flavoured concoctions, including punches
Eclectic self-guided tours (with the aid of audio-guides) are available of Clement’s art exhibits, great house, and old distillery museum along with the estate’s large Gardens, which is actually more of a Park. There is of course, also a storefront with rhum tasting. Clement’s facilities are less than a 30-minute drive east of Fort-De-France.
For a personal review of Habitation Clement, check out our Martinique Rhum Tour blog post
Rhum Depaz
Originally established in 1651, the Depaz château and distillery were rebuilt after the volcano eruption in 1902. Depaz Blue Cane Rhum Agricole is made from the unique “blue cane” sugar, grown at the foot of the Mount Pelee volcano.
Depaz produces:
- A few white rhums, including a Vintage White
- A few aged rhums, including a VSOP and XO (Extra Old)
- A half a dozen Special Edition rhums, including a number of Vintages
- A few Boxsets
Located in Saint-Pierre, Depaz tours are available of the château, a museum (with a short film) and include a storefront with tasting. A restaurant is also available on the grounds.
For a personal review of the Rhume Depaz facilities, check out our Martinique Rhum Tour blog post
Maison La Mauny
This distillery started making Tafia, a precursor to rum, as early as 1749. Now under the same ownership as the Trois Rivieres brand, La Mauny and Duquesne branded rhums include:
- A handful of White Rhums (varying in strength)
- A couple of Gold Rhums
- A handful of Aged Rhums, including a VSOP and a couple of XOs
- Half a dozen really unique flavoured rhums
- Over half a dozen Limited Edition Rhums, including some Vintages
Trois Rivières
One of the oldest estates on the island, Trois Rivieres has been around since 1660 and has produced rhum for over 100 years. Now under the same ownership as La Mauny/Duquesne distilleries, Trois Rivieres produces:
- A handful of White Rhums (varying in strength)
- A couple of Gold Rhums
- A handful of aged Old Rhums, including a couple of Premium and Vintage Rhums
- A handful of Cocktail Rhums
Visitors are welcome at the Trois Riviere Plantation which features an old mill at the former distillery along with a storefront with tasting.
Rhum HSE
The Habitation Saint Etienne’s origins date back to the mid 1800s to a 400 hectare sugar plantation, refinery and distillery. The Foudres HSE is the centre-piece of the estate, with it’s architectural structure representative of traditional Martinique buildings from the period.
HSE produces over 15 varieties of rhum, including:
- More than half a dozen Classic Rhums, including some whites as well as a number of aged rhums
- A handful of World Finishes Rhums
- A few Special Edition Rhums
- More than half a dozen Experts Cask Rhums
- Some Boxsets
Now host to a multitude of public events, The HSE Foudres features a permanent art exhibition and rhum tasting room. HSE has also partnered with a local chocolaterie to create chocolate and rhum pairings – taking rhum tasting to the next level.
Rhum Dillon [SUST-ECO]
With roots dating back to 1690 with an old sugar plantation, the Dillon distillery has survived the centuries. Dillon respects the environment and follows sustainable development practices for farming, irrigation and electricity production. Dillon produces:
- A few White rhums (varying in strength)
- A few aged Old Rhums, including a Vintage Rhum
Distillerie La Favorite
The Habitation La Favorite was founded in 1842 as a sugar producer, with the distillery being built in the early 1900s. La Favorite’s environmentally friendly ‘closed circuit’ system re-uses their sugar cane waste to fuel their cane grinding machines. La Favorite produces:
- Four white rhums (varying in strength)
- Some barrel-aged Old Rhums
- A couple of Vintage Rhums
- A few Extra Old Rhums
La Favorite distillery, located just outside of Fort-De-France, is open to the public, where they offer rhum tasting.
Rhum JM
Using sugar cane from the Habitation Bellevue and pure volcanic spring water, Rhum JM is created… The distillery produces:
- A few White and Amber Rhums
- A handful of Premium Rhums, including a VO, VSOP and XO
- A couple of Exclusive Old Vintage Rhums
- A few Bar Rhums
Visitors are welcome for taste (and smell) testing in the welcoming Rhum JM storefront, located at the north end of the island.
Neisson [SUST-ECO]
A relatively young boutique distillery in Martinique, Neisson has been producing rhum agricole since 1932. Their modern facility and grounds, located at Le Carbet, are available to tour and include an area with aquarium displays along with a storefront with rhum tasting. They offer:
- A couple of White Rhums
- A few Old Rhums
- A handful of Organic Rhums
- A half dozen barrel-aged and Vintage Rhums
- A few Collector Rhums
Rhum Hardy
Located on the Caravelle peninsula, originally known as the Habitation La Grâce, the Habitation Sucrerie Tartane now produces a variety of rhums under the name, Rhum G. Hardy Tartane. They include:
- A White and Amber Rhum
- A handful of Premium Rhums, including a VO, VSOP and XO
A-1710 (at Habitation du Simon)
It all starts with Habitation du Simon’s organic sugarcane plantation, and it’s rhums are a product of the combination of ancestral and modern processes. This new (2016) distillery produces:
- Over half a dozen White Rhums (varying in strength), including an Organic Rhum
- A handful of aged and extremely rare Old Rhums
A-1710 offer extensive tours covering cane fields, milling and distilling, along with a rest in a park and a tasting lounge! There are also 4 day, 5 day and 8 day “Rhum Holiday” accommodation packages available as well. It should also be noted that Distillerie Simon supplies base rhum to Clement and HSE, as well as selling rhum under the well-known J. Bally brand.
Baie des Trésors / La Sucrerie du Galion
Located south of Sainte Marie, the Galion Sugar Company is the last sugar factory in Martinique, and as of 1981, a revitalized distillery is producing a white and a couple of aged rhums. Tours of the sugar plantation are available (in season), including exhibits that showcase the history and manufacturing processes of the Martinique sugar industry. A sampling of sugars and rhums is available in “la Rhumerie”.
FYI – Another Martinique rhum producer is Braud & Quennesson, located at Habitation Grands Fonds, Le Marin, just north of Sainte-Anne.
For a more colourful review of the many rhums of Martinique, including first-hand accounts of distilleries visits, check out our Martinique Rhum Tour blog post
Enjoy a Rhum Tour with one of the following local Martinique Tour Operators:
(click on the highlighted links below for more info)
Exotic Tours Martinique / Discover Martinique by Lyonnel
- Delicate Creole Flavor & Exotic Aroma Martinique Full Day Tour (Sacré-Cœur de Balata Church; Jardin de Balata; scenic Route de la Trace drive; Saint-Pierre & volcano museum ; sugar cane and banana plantation; St. James Distillery & museum)
- Martinique Panoramic & Rainforest Island Tour (Fort-de-France highlights ; Alma River; Gendarme Waterfall; Saint Pierre Ruins; Depaz Rum distillery; Black sand beach)
- Scenic Tropical Island Tour (Drive past fishing villages; Neisson Rum distillery; Black sand beach; Ruins of Saint-Pierre; Volcano museum; Gendarme waterfall; Jardin de Balata; Sacré-Cœur de Balata Church)
- South Caribbean Coast-line & Imperial Plantation Tour (Sugar cane museum; Trois Rivières distillery; Diamond Rock; Anse Cafard Cap 110 monument; Hot spring; Les Anses-d’Arlet; Black sand beach; Domaine de La Pagerie estate ; with Creole lunch)
- South Panoramic Shopping, Rum & Beach Break Tour (Drive to South of Martinique; Handicraft and souvenir shops; Le Marin viewpoint; Les Salines white sandy beach; Rum distillery)
- Martinique North Island Tour (Church of Balata; Ruins of Saint-Pierre; Neisson or DEPAZ Rum distillery; Black sand beach; Gendarme Waterfalls; and Alma River)
- Authentic southern tour of Martinique with snorkel (Pottery village; Les Anses d’Arlet; Trois Rivieres distillery; Cap 110 Memorial; Diamond Rock; and local Market)
- Rum & les Salines beach Tour (Trois Rivières rum distillery; Le Morin; and les Salines beach)
- North Island Tour (River swim; Tropical forest walk; Volcano / St. Pierre Ruins; Rum factory; Dark sandy beach)
- South Caribbean Coast Tour (Ceramic village / Craft arts; Dry forest walk with views; Beach visit with snorkeling; Rum factory)
- 4×4 Ride and Full Day Discovery Tour (Garden; Banana plantation; Pineapple fields; River; Rum distillery; with traditional meal)
If a visit to one of Martinique’s fabulous Rhum producers is not possible, you can always visit the House of Rhums, conveniently located in the capital, Fort-de-France.
Note: [SUST-ECO] signifies “Sustainable Eco-Tourism” as defined in our Sustainability page
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