The Island of Flowers
The French West Indies department of Martinique is the Pearl of the Antilles. A tropical island in the eastern Caribbean Sea and the middle of the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. Martinique stands out in the rum world; it is for rum what Islay is to whisky – a pilgrimage for enthusiasts and a dream destination.
Mont Pelée volcano is the reason why Martinique is a botanical paradise. But in 1902 the Mont Pelée volcanic eruption destroyed the island’s former capital Saint Pierre instantly killing its residents and the rum industry. Rum distilling here goes back to the 1600s, in a timeframe similar to Barbados. But with French influence and distilling techniques from Cognac, islanders pioneered their own Creole column stills, and an icon in the world of spirits.
Napoleon passed a law in 1812 in favour of sugar beet cultivation in France, leading to a decline in Caribbean sugar production. Martinique, which had been making molasses rum, would in time diversify to cane juice rum. Martinique Rhum Agricole gained wider recognition from the 1960s in France.
In 1996, the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) Martinique defined how rum is produced; from harvest to every aspect of production and labelling. It’s the strictest regulation in rum, but not all producers here in AOC Martinique. In Martinique, the maturation evaporation (angel share) is approx. 8% with a constant 90% humidity.
Visiting all the producers on one visit is a big adventure. With 14 sites to get around it could take about a week. We recommend spending at least one day visiting each of the 4 Arrondissements; Le Marin, La Trinité, Saint-Pierre, and Fort-de-France.
La Trinité
Rhum H.B.S
Habitation Beau Séjour (HBS) is a distillery since 2019 and is based on the site of a former sugar refinery founded in 1883. Grand Rivière is in the far north and under the Pitons du Carbet, the oldest mountains in Martinique. Surrounded by thick tropical rainforest it’s an eventful 90-minute drive from the capital Fort-de-France.
In 2020, the De Fossarieu family began distilling rum using sugarcane replanted from 2007, grown on 70 hectares (a mix of blue, red, and black cane). The cane is hand-harvested, and the spirit reduction is with spring water from nearby Mount Pelée. Half the production is transferred to stainless steel tanks for white rum cuvées, and the other half to oak barrels for ageing. Rhum H.B.S bottles are oval shaped reminiscent of a famous Portuguese rose wine.
At this small distillery, you’ll be welcomed by the distiller and will make an interesting comparison tour to the larger distilleries on the island.
Find out more on Rhum H.B.S
Rhum J.M
Situated in the northeast between the River Roches and the River de Macouba is Fonds-Préville Distillery established in 1845. Nested in a 300-hectare botanical estate, you’ll drive past the cane fields on your way to the distillery. Rhum J.M uses its own volcanic mineral-rich spring water sourced 200m above sea level, from Mount Pelée, on Habitation Bellevue.
Recently, Rhum J.M was the first distillery in the French West Indies to achieve Bonsucro certification, embodying its commitment to tradition and innovation for a sustainable future.
In 2024, Rhum J.M launched Rhum Agricole Hors d’Âge Canopée. An exceptional vintage, the result of the expert blending of rums aged for 6 years. Canopée is presented in a fiber-based mono-material box, created with their partners Maison Linéa and WestRock.
Visitors to Rhum J.M. enter a botanical paradise. The self-guided tour takes you into the heart of the operations, and a flora wonderland. A stunning highlight is one of the most recognisable ageing cellars in the spirits industry, known for its red colour. It’s quite a dramatic reveal entering the red room. Surrounded by the scent of ageing casks, the atmosphere evokes a traditional Cognac cellar. Once back at the welcome centre you’ll try the aroma station and be guided in a tasting of the range including Rhum JM Terroir Volcanique, VSOP, XO, or perhaps one of their vintages. As the rum lingers, allow yourself one more wander around the gardens to enjoy this beautiful place.
Find out more on Rhum J.M
Rhum Saint James
Rhum Saint James was established in 1765 in Saint Pierre. The oldest of Martinique’s rum brands, Saint-James was the first distillery to create its square bottle in 1883. In 1902, the eruption of Mount Pelée didn’t destroy the distillery, but in 1973 they moved east to its current location in Sainte-Marie.
Surrounded by 700 hectares of cane, 30 of which are organically grown, it is one of the oldest rum plantations in Martinique and one of the largest ageing sites on the island.
In the 1970s, Saint James, launched spirit tourism with the history of rum, in an 1872 colonial wooden house. The museum has an incredible collection of equipment and info boards explaining the evolution of distilling on the island, see the collection of old Saint-James vintages from 1885 to the present day, and a must-visit.
During harvest from February to July visitors go on a comprehensive distillery tour, seeing first-hand the rum-making process from sugarcane to the final bottling. The Maison de la Distillation opened in 2010. Nearby Habitation La Salle and Atelier du Rhum are part of the group and launched in 2019. Habitation La Salle offers a distinct rum experience with exclusive “LA SALLE cuvées” bottled and personalized on-site.
In 2024, Saint James introduced an 18-year-old limited release and a limited edition Saint James Samaritaine TOMBOLO. Tombolo is a natural phenomenon opposite the distillery in which the tide goes out and reveals a sandbar that connects the mainland to a neighbouring islet.
Find out more on Rhum Saint James
Le Ti Punch Coco à Sainte Marie is nearby for a rum drink.
Rhum Bally
Rhum Bally was established by Jacques Bally in 1917 and has been made the Saint James Distillery since 1996. The brand is famous for its unique pyramid-shaped bottle designed in the 1930s. As one of the island’s oldest brands, they pioneered vintage rum, and J. Bally 1929 and J. Bally Vintage 1966 are rare examples of this. As part of La Martiniquaise since 2003, it doesn’t have a separate visitor experience but you’ll find some info in the Saint James Museum.
Rhum Hardy
Rhum Hardy was launched in 2018, by the Hardy Family based on the La Caravelle peninsula, a Natural Reserve. In 1830, the Habitation “La Grâce” became the Habitation Tartane. Later sold to Gaston Hardy des Sources, it passed from generation to generation for almost 2 centuries. In the 1930s, it’s said they created the famous Rhum Paille (straw rum). Sugarcane is grown locally, and the rum is produced at their partner Saint-James. They have a nice spot near the beach with a small boutique, where the old distillery was last used in 1994, and is a renovation project. The range includes Rhum Hardy Blanc, Vieux, VO, VSOP, and XO.
Find out more on Rhum Hardy
Cocoa Beach Café is also near Rhum Hardy for a rum cocktail.
Le Galion
Le Galion distillery named after Spanish galleons stationed off the coast nearby, is the only molasses rum distillery, making Grand Arôme (high ester). It doesn’t accept visitors, it has a small shop at the gate that sells gifts, no rum, only a small amount of alcohol for cooking. It’s on the turn-off for the scenic drive to Baie Des Trésors through the banana plantation and sugarcane fields.
Baie Des Trésors
The Bay of Treasures site was founded in 1849. Baie des Trésors Rhum started in 2017. Their vision is of a pure expression of the Martinique terroir, bottling expressions based on wet cane, and dry cane conditions; dry parcels of Micholo and Fond Basile in Spoutourne. moist parcels of Morne Carrière and Brin Amour in Dufferet.
Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, the boutique overlooks 1600 hectares of cane fields from Trinité to Robert. A detailed tour immerses you in the history of the house, the region, and rum making before trying the rum; Fleurs du Vent, Fruits des Pluies, and Plein Soleil. The textured glass bottle is made using 100% recyclable glass, engraved with the coordinates of Treasure Bay, and the stopper is made of 60% bagasse.
Find out more on Baie Des Trésors
Habitation Saint-Etienne
Renovated on the historical site of the original sugar factory La Maugée in the 1800s. The estate was taken over in 1994, and in 2008 HSE Rhum was born. The sugarcane is grown at Saint Etienne’s 400-hectare plantation and distilled at Habitation du Simon. HSE focuses on ageing and blending on the site, and there’s much development happening just now.
Habitation Saint-Etienne presents an incredible range from Rhum Blanc, Rhum Vieux, and multiple casks; bourbon, cognac, sherry, and whisky. One of their signature rums is HSE Black Sheriff, a blend of 3–4-year-old rum aged in bourbon barrels. New for 2024 is the HSE “Les Forêts” collection aged in oak barrels sourced from a selected French forest.
They have remarkable botanical gardens with 180 plant species, exotic birds, and sculptures. The boutique has a wide range of rum to taste and an art exhibition. Guided tours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Find out more on Habitation Saint-Etienne
Fort de France
Distillerie La Favorite
Habitation La Favorite was founded in 1842 near the capital and airport in Le Lamentin. It was bought and transformed into a distillery in 1905. La Favorite is one of the last two family distilleries on the island, and the only one still using steam for power. The 60-hectare site has a traditional farmyard feel to it as soon as you arrive. From the old farm buildings holding casks, machinery with a 1906 steam engine, and open bottling station as you enter the visitor centre.
There’s a rustic charm about the place. It has been distilling every year for over 180 years. Today, the fourth-generation Franck Dormoy continues this family tradition, and there’s a real passion for the spirit here. The tasting and shop can get busy in the afternoon with groups due to its proximity to cruise visitors. The new bottle design is a major upgrade, and in high demand, as vintage expressions are tasted at their bustling bar. Tours are available all year round, except Sundays. Coeur De Canne is number aged bottlings, and Cuvées and Millésime are vintage years. The latest in 2024 is Tjè Kann 2023 a pure expression of the 60-hectare estate’s terroir.
Find out more on La Favorite
Near La Favorite is Kinky Mango Bar for a local rum cocktail.
Rhum Dillon
Dillon Since 1779 is based in Fort de France, and named after the sugar estate family. Maison Dillon sugar cane is grown in the north around the town of Basse Pointe. Dillon was one of the first Martinique rum brands promoted in France
Dillon 40 or 55° Rhum Blanc is a Ti Punch staple, and the range extends to several ages Dillon Très Vieux VSOP, and Dillon Rhum Vieux XO.
Find out more on Rhum Dillon
In Fort de France, Boa Rosa serves good cocktails, and Le Cloud Bar for sunset cocktails. Le Wahoo Café at Plage du Carbet for sunset rum cocktails. Numa Beach Bar in Schœlcher is a new place to check out for rum drinks.
Saint Pierre
Distillerie Depaz
Distillerie Depaz is forever entwined in the story of the 1902 Mont Pelée volcano eruption, on the Plantation la Montagne. The tour gives tangible insights displaying artifacts that survived; like the old bell and agricultural machinery scattered on the lawn. Walk over to the big house and wander around the timeless office and quarters of Victor Depaz. After the devasting volcano eruption, he returned in 1917 to rebuild the estate and distillery. Château Depaz was built in 1922, and the brand has commemorated the 100th anniversary with a special release of the Château Depaz selection by the cellar master marrying 10 unique barrels for this limited edition. New in 2024 is Depaz XO Cuvée Volutes aged in 3 casks; bourbon barrels, first-fill American oak barrels, and peaty Islay casks.
The Depaz range has Rhum Blanc, VSOP, Vieue, and yearly vintages like 2010-11. The single cask expression spends around 10 years in American oak barrels, then 18-24 months in red French oak barrels. Today, the distillery is a large site on the slopes of Mont Pelée and holds a special place for rum fans as a testament to the human spirit. The self-guided tour lets you wander at will and ends at the tasting room and shop where you can try expressions like VO, VSOP, and XO.
Find out more on Distillerie Depaz
Close to Depaz is Kaï Raymont Creole Restaurant, and Bela Beach Restaurant is good for rum cocktails in Saint Pierre.
Distillerie Neisson
Established in 1931 on the northwest before Saint Pierre on the N2 coastal road. Off the main road, down a track and alongside a cane field, this is the other family-owned distillery, run by Mother and son of the Neisson family. Metal sculptures from recycled machinery parts, art on the walls, and a fish tank add to the quirks of this small distillery. It’s a free, self-guided tour where you weave between the equipment. While some areas are cordoned off for safety, informative displays tell the story of rum production and the local area, making it an interesting experience.
Every distillery has its specialty, and for Neisson, it’s pioneering organic farming. Le Rhum Bio Par Neisson Agricole Blanc is a signature bottling. However, the shop has an array of bottles not seen in the US or Europe. It can be difficult to decide what to go for, some bottles are hand-painted and utterly unique.
Find out more on Distillerie Neisson
Le Petibonum Restaurant is a good spot to enjoy rum near Neisson
Le Marin
Habitation Clément
Founded in 1887, Clément is one of Martinique’s iconic brands, preserving ancestral traditions inherited from its founder Homère, and his son Charles Clément. Located in François, on the Atlantic coast, the entire property is 160 hectares. Clément produces certified AOC Martinique white, amber, and aged Rhum Agricole, as well as a range of liqueurs.
Habitation Clément has six ageing cellars with over 12,000 barrels of various types, origins, and sizes. Visitors can walk up to view the different cask sizes where the cellar master Julien Thimon and his team expertly age rum to create a distinctive aromatic profile.
The self-guided tour lets you walk around the gardens, sculptures, and machinery, and visit a historical Creole building before stepping into the former distillery with its remarkably detailed information boards. As one of the island’s top attractions, Clément launched its new spirit tourism project in 2023. Tripling the size of its reception space to showcase a state-of-the-art boutique, tasting room, and brand new “Atelier des Sens” (sensory workshop room).
Each year since 2001, Clément releases a new vintage of its iconic Clément Canne Bleue, the first monovarietal un-aged Rhum Agricole AOC. Canne Bleue bottle design changes every year, but in 2023 the vintage was presented as a trilogy of labels representing local elements: Earth, Sea, Air. In June 2024, Clément Créole Shrubb and the Mahina Coco were added with a new expression; Bana Canne banana liqueur made with bananas from the Clément estate.
Find out more on Habitation Clément
Distillerie Du Simon
Founded in 1846 as a sugar factory, the distillery was built in 1917. Near the southwestern coast at Le François, Distillerie Du Simon is a large distillery that produces bulk Rhum Agricole for island producers and independent bottlers. Unfortunately, the distillery is not open to the public for tours.
Distillerie Rhum A1710
Distillerie A1710 is opposite Distillerie Du Simon. They organically cultivate sugarcane on a plot and send the juice to be distilled at Simon, before ageing and fully-restored 18th-century building. It’s a Pure Single Agricole Rum but is not AOC Martinique. Distillerie A1710 was the first distillery to open after more than a century of successive closures. In February 2024, they opened their cellar for you to visit, and have interesting stills to see.
You can enjoy a tasting on the lawn overlooking the area. Distillerie A1710 has distinctive pear-shaped carafe decanter bottles with vintages of white rum ‘La Perle Rare’ A1710 Rhum Vieux, Tricentenaire, A1710 Renaissance has a long fermentation of 5-6 days. You’ll get to try and buy these. Diamond Rock is the 2024 release of the first pressed cane juice.
Find out more on Distillerie Rhum A1710
Distillerie Maison La Mauny
Maison La Mauny distillery in Rivière-Pilote is one of the big producers and makes the rum for Trois Rivières, both part of the Campari Group. Founded as a sugar plantation in 1749, it started making agricultural rum in 1820. You can take a guided tour on the Ti Train during harvest season from February to June at timed slots. You’ll visit the cane fields, gardens with old machinery, sculptures, citrus orchards, the main distillery, barrel cellar, and tasting room.
La Mauny often has special events, masterclasses, cocktail workshops, food pairing, family activities, and the Kai Mimi creole restaurant. So, it’s well-catered for visiting foodies, check out their socials before your visit to see what’s on. At their ‘Cabane à Rhum’, you taste and buy their single varietal sugarcane expressions, limited edition Cuvée Wouj’, spiced rum, and liqueurs.
Find out more on Maison La Mauny
Trois Rivières Rhum
Trois Rivières is a village on the road to the southern beaches in Sainte Luce. A plantation with origins back to 1660, its famous windmill, and turquoise branding, this the largest and oldest plantation in Martinique. Distilling moved to La Mauny Distillery in 2004. The site now is focussed on guided tours, and tastings open 7 days a week, from 9am to 5:30pm. You’ll be shown around the old factory, the cane fields, a 3D light show inside the cellar room, and finish on at the tasting bar and shop.
There’s a wide range of expressions to try from Trois Rivières Blanc, Ambre, Cuvee de l’Ocean where the canes grew in salty water, and Rhum vieux de l’ocean reduced by filtered seawater.
Find out more on Trois Rivières Rhum
Nearby is La Mauvaise Réputation for a rum drink in Trois-Rivières.
Braud & Quennesson
Created in 2022 at Habitation Grand Fonds in Le Marin south Martinique is the first AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole in this area. Harking back to 1866, the brand pays tribute to the creators of the former Marin sugar factory of Charles-Jean Braud and Joseph Quennesson.
Braud & Quennesson use three canes that appreciate wet soil: reed cane, red cane, and blue cane. The rum is currently made at Distillerie du Simon. July 2022 was their first harvest, and when the first year they started ageing rum. As they build their own distillery, Braud & Quennesson is one to watch for the future.
Visitors are greeted by an avenue of towering royal palm trees and a lush garden overflowing with mango trees and other tropical flora. When you book the tour, you’ll visit the property, watch a film on the production process, wander the gardens, cellar, and taste the rum, and pick up their latest at the shop. In 2024, Braud & Quennesson launched their Élevé Sous Bois in the Signature du Chai collection.
Find out more on Braud & Quennesson
LePunch restaurant in Le Marin is a good spot for Accras and a Planteur Punch.
Reading Labels
A note on French Martinique rum naming terms. The word ‘Rhum’ only means rum and doesn’t define a style. If you’re familiar with Cognac terms you’ll recognise some names; Blanc, Vieux, VSOP, XO, etc. Here’s what to expect:
Grand Arôme is made from high-ester fermented molasses. AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole is aged for at least 3 months without additives. Rhum Blanc is clear, rested in large vats (foudre de chêne imparts less colour) for minimum 6 weeks.
Rhum Elevé Sous Bois has aged a minimum of 1 year, usually 12-18 months in French oak. Rhum Paille (pale) is straw-coloured rum aged less than three years. Rhum Vieux (old) is aged a minimum of 3 years in less than 650-litre barrels.
VO (Very Old) is aged a minimum of 3 years. VSOP, Reserve Speciale, Cuvee Speciale, and Tres Vieux all must be aged a minimum of 4 years. Extra Vieux, Grande Reserve, Hors d’Age, and XO all must be aged a minimum of 6 years. Réserve Spéciale, Vieille Réserve & Cuvée Spéciale sometimes appear instead of XO. Millésime [Year] is the stated vintage year it was bottled. This should help when presented with all the bottles at the tasting!
Pro Tip:
The shoulder season from August to January is the silent season for the cane juice rum. But, there’s still lots to see and taste during this time, the history and storytelling are incredible. Plan your trip from February to June to see full operations from field to bottle. Rhum Clement and Saint James have the highest footfall, so we recommend going early to avoid the crowds.
Final Thoughts
Martinique rum distilleries have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Extensive upgrades, fueled by EU investment, have transformed these sites into world-class visitor experiences. Prepare to be impressed! Beautiful Martinican botanical gardens, art exhibitions, sculpture parks, family activities, and foodie experiences make these must-visit destinations even if you do not drink. Hiring a car is a must if you plan to get around the distilleries, and can be quite an adventure in the rural parts.
You might want to pack an extra suitcase for all the distillery bottlings not available elsewhere. Martinique is in the EU, many French people visit on shopping trips, so don’t be surprised to see shop owners stocking up. It can get busy at the distillery shop as specials sell out. Also, bear in mind that sites observe long lunchtimes, you might find 2-3 visits will take up the whole day with driving in between. Consider distillery and beach hopping as a fun way to explore the island.
In May 2024 Martinique was placed in a drought crisis for the first time in its history. Le Mauny and Trois-Rivières Rhum announced water recycling for their operations as harvest is still in full flow.
Each May ‘Mai de Saint-Pierre’ in the town of Saint-Pierre has events on the eruption of Mount Pelée and the abolition of slavery. National Days of Agriculture is 18-19 Jun 2024. Fête de la Musique is in June. International Creole Day is on 28th October, and Saint-James Distillery has a rum festival in December. The Martinique Jazz Festival is also in December, and New Year like everywhere is a big celebration.
A visit to La Savane Des Esclaves in Trois-Ilets helps rum enthusiasts understand the island’s slavery past, and early days of rum making here.
One visit to Martinique will send you on a lifetime of adventures, it’s the ultimate rum destination but offers so much for the memories.
For more general advice on Martinique Tourism
For travel planning use our Martinique Rum Map
We also have Martinique prints and Lesser Antilles Map in our Rum Geography Shop
A special thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.
