The agricultural rum trail
5 min read
In Martinique, rum is a matter of terroir. Made from pure, freshly pressed cane juice — not molasses — Martinican agricultural rum has held an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée since 1996, the only one of its kind in the world for a rum.
An AOC unique in the world
AOC Martinique agricultural rum follows a strict set of specifications, from the cane variety to distillation in the Creole column still. This rigour produces lively, vegetal and aromatic rums, very different from molasses-based rums.
The distilleries to visit
Habitation Clément (Le François) charms with its grounds, its Creole house and its cellars; Saint-James (Sainte-Marie) houses a rum museum reachable by little train; Depaz nestles at the foot of Montagne Pelée, in Saint-Pierre.
Also worth discovering: La Mauny, Trois-Rivières, Neisson (Le Carbet), JM (Macouba) and HSE — each with its own style and cellar tours.
The art of the ti-punch
The quintessential local ritual: a dash of cane syrup, a few drops of lime and white agricultural rum. The time-honoured saying — "everyone prepares their own death" — sums up the convivial spirit of the Martinican aperitif. Enjoy in moderation.
Photo: Thérèse Gaigé — CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
