Trois Rivières Distillery: A Rhum with an Exceptional Heritage
The Trois Rivières distillery is one of the oldest rum distilleries in Martinique, a wonderful island rich in history, culture, and rum. The company was founded in 1660 by Pierre Mathieu and Jean-Baptiste Moïse, who started the distillery in the Trois Rivières Valley and first produced rhum in 1685. Over the years, the distillery developed and modernized to become one of the island’s largest and most important distilleries.
The Trois Rivières distillery creates a varied range of spirits, including white, amber, and old rhums. They are made with tradition in mind. They are all produced from freshly ground sugarcane juice fermented using artisanal methods and then distilled in copper column stills. In the last stage, they are matured in French oak barrels.
This is the only rum in the world protected by France’s Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), “Rhum de la Martinique.” This gives their rhums their unique flavor, which is a reflection of the whole aromatic history of southern Martinique’s terroir. As an important note, rhum agricole is unique not only because it is produced from pure, pressed sugarcane juice but also due to the many regulations the distillers on the island must follow to maintain their AOC status.
From February to June, the company carefully harvests its own sugarcane so that it still smells like fresh sugarcane. Thus, pure sugarcane juice is collected, containing Martinique’s highest sugar concentration, thanks to their land’s exceptional sun exposure. After that, it makes its way to the steel tanks to start the fermentation process and the creole column distillation.
After fermentation, they move the cane wine to their steam-heated vapor still column. Once cooled, the extracted white rum has an alcohol content between 65 and 75% ABV. Their Creole Column is living proof of their ancestral savoir-faire.
Daniel Baudin is the guardian of Trois Rivières’ savoir-faire. He joined the company in 1991 and has been the creative force behind every bottle. His virtuosity in barrel selection and aging techniques make him one of the world’s greatest cellar masters. In 2019, Baudin was awarded the “Best Rum Master Distiller” at the International Rum Conference.
White Rhums
The Trois Rivières white rhums are prepared with fresh sugarcane juice. Their meticulous composition, which sparkles with verdant, marine, and mineral accents, sets them apart. Whether it is Cuvée de l’Océan, Cuvée Spéciale, or Blanc 50%, one of these Agricole rhums will be the perfect match for your mixed drinks.
Ambré Rhums
The Trois Rivières ambré rhums are aged for 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels, with the know-how of our Cellar Master and in line with AOC requirements.
Tasting Rhums
The Trois Rivières tasting rhums are aged in oak barrels in a tropical climate while their cellar master keeps a close eye on them. This elegant, balanced collection of bold, complex rhums unveils all their flavors to connoisseurs.
For those who wish to learn more about the history and production of Martinique rum, the Trois Rivières distillery offers guided tours. Visitors can find out about the distillery’s buildings, the stages of making rum, and the artisanal techniques used to make their spirits. Also, you can find their products on online platforms and in shops specializing in agricultural products and spirits.
Featured image source: Rumming.co.uk
