How is Rhum Agricole made?
Rhum agricole is made by pressing fresh sugarcane, fermenting the juice, distilling it in a column still and then resting or aging it. Under AOC Martinique, the juice must be fresh, the distillate comes off at 65 to 75 percent ABV, and the rum is sold at 40 percent or more.
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In this article
How is rhum agricole made?
The steps below follow the AOC Martinique rules, which are the strictest published version. Other producers may differ.
- Harvest: sugarcane is cut during a set window, from January 1 to August 31 under these rules. Yields are capped, irrigation is limited to four months a year.
- Pressing: the cane is ground and pressed. The juice must be fresh, with a sugar level of at least 14 degrees Brix and a pH of at least 4.7. Hot extraction is not allowed, and no syrup or molasses may be added.
- Fermentation: yeast turns the cane juice into a low-alcohol wash.
- Distillation: continuous column stills with 5 to 9 rectifying copper plates and at least 15 stripping plates. A second distillation (rectification) is forbidden, and the distillate must be between 65 and 75 percent ABV.
- Resting or aging: blanc is rested at least 3 months. Eleve sous bois is aged at least 12 months in oak. Vieux is aged at least 3 years in oak casks of 650 liters or less.
- Bottling: it must be sold at 40 percent ABV or more, so the high-strength distillate is diluted.
Why is it seasonal?
Because the juice must be fresh from the cane, production follows the harvest window set in the rules, January 1 to August 31.
What shapes the flavor?
- The cane variety and where it grew.
- The yeast and the fermentation.
- Time in oak, if any.
What to check on the label
The AOC Martinique mark means the rules above apply. Without it, the producer may follow looser rules. Learn the basics in what rhum agricole is.
General information; please drink responsibly.
People also ask
Can rhum agricole be made from molasses?
Not under AOC Martinique rules, which allow only fresh cane juice.
At what strength does rhum agricole come off the still?
Between 65 and 75 percent ABV under AOC Martinique, then it is diluted for bottling.
How long is vieux rhum aged?
At least 3 years in oak casks of 650 liters or less under AOC Martinique.
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