19 May Yo-Ho-Ho, and a Barrel of Rhum!
Most rum is made from molasses, a byproduct of sugar refining. But when France began making sugar from sugar beets around 1811, sugar prices dropped and the debt-ridden sugar factories in the French Caribbean could not survive solely on sugar production. Fresh cane juice was now available for fermenting and distilling into rum!
Rhum Agricole is the French term for cane juice rum, a style of rum originally distilled in the French Caribbean islands from freshly squeezed sugar cane juice rather than molasses. Rhum is the term that typically distinguishes it in French-speaking locales, from the rum made with molasses in other parts of the West Indies; (Rum, Ron). The best Rhums from Martinique are labeled “AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole” because French and European law allowed a designation called “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” (protected designation of origin) for rums produced on the island of Martinique that meet certain high local standards.
“Agricole” means “agricultural” in French. Because it’s so pure, drinkers can really taste the terroir. In Rhum Agricole’s case, this generally means a grassy, slightly earthy taste. The delicate vegetal flavor of Rhum Agricole works best in cocktails with more complex flavor profiles.
Our Clement Cask Collection is aged five years in American Oak, bottled at 113.2 proof, and represents the very best of the category. Try a bottle, you will be impressed!
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