Jean-Claude Benoit Joins the Rum Hall of Fame

The following article, based on an interview with Jean-Claude Benoit, director of Saint James distillery and recipient of the Icons of Rum award at the World Drinks Awards, has been extracted from Rumporter and can be viewed in its original version on the magazine’s website.

Jean-Claude Benoit, the director of Saint James distillery, has received the prestigious Icons of Rum award at the World Drinks Awards, recognizing him as the Best Master Distiller of the year! This well-deserved recognition celebrates his remarkable career in the world of rum. Let’s explore his reaction to this honor.

c. He began his journey in the agricultural sector and later worked in various distilleries before joining Saint James, formerly owned by the Rémy Cointreau group (now controlled by the La Martiniquaise group). Serving as the General Manager of the Saint James distillery for over three decades, Jean-Claude Benoit has developed a true passion not only for rum but also for Martinique as a whole.

As the General Manager, Jean-Claude Benoit’s responsibilities include the day-to-day management of teams and the overall well-being of the distillery. This involves ensuring proper maintenance and precise adjustment of the distillation columns to accommodate the distinct qualities of fermented cane juice, which undergo continuous evolution throughout the 4 to 5 months of the harvest. Additionally, he personally oversees the distillation of special batches or cuvées on certain occasions.

Working closely with his assistant, Marc Sassier, in the product/process department, Jean-Claude Benoit supervises the fermentation process, post-distillation monitoring of the rums, and the entire aging process. Marc Sassier, the master of cuvées and blends, complements Jean-Claude Benoit’s expertise exceptionally well.

To create a good rhum agricole, they use high-quality cane and meticulously monitor the crushing and fermentation process. Jean-Claude Benoit emphasizes the role of their years of experience, allowing them to explore innovative approaches.

The responsibility of selecting rums for aging, composition in an arrangé, or producing premium white rums lies with the cellar master, Marc Sassier. This selection process is one of the brand’s trade secrets. Each day, throughout the 100 to 120-day harvest period, the distillery produces rums with their own unique characteristics, which the team then carefully assigns to different cuvées.

Among the various cuvées produced by Saint James, Jean-Claude Benoit takes particular pride in the Quintessence cuvée. He believes it successfully combines quality and elegance, living up to its name and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with renowned Cognacs and Whiskeys.

Receiving a nomination as an “Icon of Rum” undeniably flatters Jean-Claude Benoit and serves as a recognition of his accomplishments. However, he emphasizes that this achievement is a testament to the hard work of the entire team and the company as a whole. This prestigious accolade serves as motivation for them to further elevate the global profile of Saint James.

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