Rum Connoisseur

Interview Of the Week

DOROTHEE HERIARD DUBREUIL

Director of Brand Marketing Mount Gay Rum

 

 

1. Who is Dorothee Heriard?

Before coming into the spirits industry, I was working in a completely different world. I have a background in aeronautics and engineering and had a career in that industry before quitting everything to join the world of rum.

I’ve now been working in the spirits industry for 8 years, acquiring most of my experience in the US and France. I became the Mount Gay Rum Brand Director 3 years ago because I saw the potential for Mount Gay to become the leader of the fast growing, ultra-premium rum vertical.

 

2. Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplished for the rum industry.

Though I’ve only been in the rum industry for three years, I feel my team and I have made a great impact on the industry especially through education and consumer awareness.

Prior to joining the Mount Gay team, I worked in cognac for Remy Martin for over 5 years. During this time, I learned all about the very strict AOC regulations that relate to the processes leading to an exclusive and refined brown spirit. When I made my way into rum, I was shocked at the lack of guidelines regarding production method for rum and how the consumer perception of the spirit was associated with vacation, the beach, Caribbean, sweet taste, and low quality. After spending some time with Master Blender understanding the craft behind making of these rums, I made it my mission to educate the consumer and introduce them to our premium rums that can be enjoyed just as other refined brown spirits are.

 

3. What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?

I fell in love with a brand, not the category. Similar to others, one of my first experiences with rum was when I was a student drinking rum and coke, and I don’t have a great memories of enjoying the taste. But then, three years ago, I was introduced to Mount Gay Rum through a blind tasting. I could not believe it was a rum. It was so complex and flavorful. All my perceptions of rum were shattered.

 

4. What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?

The opportunity to lead the premiumization of the category and fact that we have a long way to go! What better role for the most authentic rum brand to lead this premiumization – I am excited every day to be a part of it.

 

5. Favourite Drink + Recipe

The Traditional Daiquiri for its refreshing taste of sweet and sour.

• 2 OZ Mount Gay Black Barrel
• 1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE
• 1 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP

Shake and strain into a martini cocktail glass. Just lime as garnish

 

6. Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?

Today, I see it as an undiscovered category. In 5 years, I see it becoming an essential part of your ultra-premium brown spirit repertoire with more and more consumers discovering its intrinsic sipping quality, versatility and enjoying it in classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned and beyond.

 

7. What do you think needs to happen to grow the premium category of rum?

In order to grow the premium category, I believe there needs to be set AOC standards put in place for aged rum in order to help consumers navigate the category, and more importantly, guarantee a level of quality.

Second is education. We need to further trade and consumer education focusing on the distillation and maturing process. Many people would be surprised to know that Mount Gay’s process is very similar to a whiskey or cognac. It has been made since 1703 in Barbados, the birthplace of rum:

• Using molasses from the Caribbean
• Fermented in controlled and open air
• Distilled using 4 different types of stills
• Static Aging using different types of casks
• Strategically blended by our Master Blender Trudiann Branker to recreate the Mount Gay signature style with notes of banana, vanilla, moka and almonds.

 

8. Which rum would you recommend a person that:

• Sipping a premium rum for the 1st time : Mount Gay XO. This is my favorite rum – it is so complex and rich, yet accessible. Just add a large coconut water ice cube and this is the terroir of Barbados in your glass.
• Likes Scotch Whisky or Bourbon – Mount Gay Black Barrel. Aged in American oak and finished in deeply charred bourbon barrel it reveals unique notes of smokiness, vanilla. I just love it in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
• Likes Gin or Vodka: Mount Gay Eclipse. Light and refreshing. Mixes perfectly with tonic, ginger ale or coke. Perfect option for the summer.
• Likes Cognac: Mount Gay 1703. The ultimate refinement and sophistication. 1703 is a selection of the finest single and double-distilled rums from Mount Gay’s oldest reserves. Harmony of oaky and caramel notes round out this varietal.

 

9. Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have helped you.

• Allen Smith is our previous Master Blender that has just stepped down. When I first met him, his passion for the brand, and his artistry to blend rum to make and recreate this unique signature style of MGR made me fall in love with the brand and strive to know more.  I admire his humble personality and value his connection to the Barbados culture, making him a true authentic ambassador for the brand. He taught me all I know today on rum and continues to inspire me to drive the brand forward.
• Marc Heriard Dubreuil, my father-in-law is another one of my closest mentors.  I have a very different background coming from engineering and he gave me a chance to start a new adventure working in the family business. He taught me so much about the industry and the best advice he gave me was that the best way to learn this fantastic industry is by being in the field and being close to your clients. This is where I learned that the business is driven by people and building relationships.

 

10. What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 month?

• Drive rum reappraisal through trade & consumer education
• Focus on our PR efforts to spread the word to the world about how rum can being an  amazing quality product worth sipping
• Have fun while doing it!

 

11. Any last words?

Dreams don’t work unless you take actions.

 

12. How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doroth%C3%A9e-h%C3%A9riard-dubreuil-17244010/

Instagram: @dorotheehd