Rum Guide to France 2024

Published by
Ewan Henderson

Rum Guide to France 2024

Champagne, Cognac, and grand chateaux – France’s reputation for exquisite wines and spirits is undeniable. This legacy has a long-standing relationship with rum produced in its overseas territories. But there’s a new chapter unfolding. France has a growing scene of rum distilling in the hexagon (nicknamed for its geometric shape).

The story begins in the 1600s when the French West Indies laid the foundations for famous French rum brands today. Pioneering the creole column still on Martinique, adopting French distilling know-how. The colonial era of the French Caribbean prospered on slavery like other European nations. The 1789 French Revolution protests on rising sugar costs had a ripple effect that led to Napoleon prioritise his domestic market and sanctioning sugar beet cultivation in France. In turn, it decimated the Caribbean sugar trade and impacted rum production which would evolve into cane juice rum.

Ewan Henderson

Recent Posts

  • News

The Rum & Cachaça Masters Results 2025: A Celebration of Excellence

As rum brands compete for consumer attention amid a cost-of-living crisis, this year’s The Rum…

March 12, 2025
  • infographics

English Harbour Reserve 10 Years: a decade of excellence

Aged to perfection, English Harbour 10-Year Reserve is a deep mahogany rum, distilled from molasses and matured…

March 11, 2025
  • News

US Alcohol Market Trends Show Shift Away from Premiumization

The latest data from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) highlights major shifts…

March 10, 2025
  • Noticias

Cinco tendencias que transformarán el mercado de bebidas alcohólicas en 2025

El mercado global de bebidas alcohólicas enfrentará un panorama mixto en 2025, caracterizado por desafíos…

March 9, 2025
  • Interviews

Breaking Barriers: Women Leading the Rum Industry—Yasmín Chapetón and Jassil Villanueva

The role of women in the rum industry is multifaceted, ranging from working in the…

March 8, 2025
  • News

Santa Teresa Unveils New Look for Its Flagship Rum

Santa Teresa has introduced a bold new look for its flagship rum, Santa Teresa 1796.…

March 7, 2025