What are the different styles of Rhum Agricole?
Under the Martinique AOC, rhum agricole comes in three main styles: blanc (white, colorless, rested at least three months), elevé sous bois (aged at least 12 months in oak) and vieux (aged at least three years in oak casks of up to 650 litres). All must be at least 40% ABV and made from fresh sugar cane juice, not molasses.
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In this article
What is rhum agricole?
Rhum agricole is rum made from fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses. The Martinique AOC rules, as summarized by the rhum-agricole.net site, say the wort must be made only from fresh cane juice obtained by grinding and pressing, with no syrup or molasses added. The juice must be above 14 degrees Brix and above pH 4.7.
What are the three styles?
| Style | Ageing rule (Martinique AOC) |
|---|---|
| Blanc (white) | Colorless; rested at least three months; if stored in oak, no more than three months |
| Elevé sous bois (cask aged) | At least 12 uninterrupted months in oak barrels in the production area |
| Vieux (extra aged) | At least three uninterrupted years in oak casks of 650 litres or less, in the production area |
Elevé sous bois must contain at least 250 g of volatile elements other than ethanol and methanol per 100 liters of pure alcohol; vieux at least 325 g. These figures are the AOC minimums for aroma compounds.
How strong is it?
Any rum sold under the Martinique designation must be at least 40% ABV. Distillation output must fall between 65 and 75 degrees.
How do the styles taste?
- Blanc: typically fresh, grassy and cane-like; the usual choice for ti punch and daiquiris.
- Elevé sous bois: amber with oak, vanilla and spice; suits sipping or mixing.
- Vieux: deeper and more complex; usually sipped neat.
Those flavor notes are general descriptions, and individual producers vary.
What about VSOP and XO?
The AOC summary we opened did not mention VSOP or XO, so we cannot give their rules here. Check the producer’s label.
Is rhum agricole only from Martinique?
No. The rules above apply to Martinique AOC rum. Other places, such as Guadeloupe, also make cane juice rum, with their own rules. Check the label for the origin.
How should you drink it?
Try blanc in a ti punch (lime, cane syrup and rum), and sip older styles neat. Drink responsibly.
People also ask
What is the difference between rhum agricole and regular rum?
Rhum agricole is made from fresh sugar cane juice. Most other rum is made from molasses.
How long is vieux rhum aged?
Under the Martinique AOC, at least three years in oak casks of up to 650 litres.
What is the minimum strength of Martinique rhum?
40% ABV.
Sources
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