Barge 166, a selection in the heart of summer

13 October 2024 | Discover
Barge 166, a selection in the heart of summer

Florent, manager of the Excellence Rhum boutique and Matthieu, advisor at Excellence Rhum, have an appointment on the banks of the Seine, in Issy-les-Moulineaux, on this July morning. The setting is idyllic, a beautiful sun, the reflection of the trees in the Seine, beautiful barges moored to the docks, bright colors.

A transformed barge

We are welcomed by Margaux, the project manager of Barge 166, on a Freycinet-type barge, from 1948. It has been partially rebuilt, fitted out and renamed, by Plantation for a unique experience. Upstairs, the Barge 166 houses a showroom. Plantation displays its references on illuminated shelves. The reception area extends the entire length of the boat. At the bow, a garden room, in which you are received, is installed. Margaux presents the philosophy of this unique project to us.

La Barge 166, on the banks of the Seine
La Barge 166, on the banks of the Seine

An innovative project

The barge has been transformed into a real floating cellar. This unusual experience gives the possibility of acquiring a 30 liter barrel of rum (or cognac), the aging of which can be followed for a maximum of two years. All rums have previously benefited from a first maturation. The temperature of the cellar varies between 2 and more than 40 degrees depending on the seasons. The humidity oscillates between 70% and 85%, because yes, let's not forget that we are on the Seine.

We are invited to go down one floor and visit this cellar. The barge is slightly tilted, which is obvious to us now. The co-cellar master receives us. The cellar is isolated by a thick glass door. We discover hundreds of barrels aligned on several levels and distributed in two rows. Temperature and humidity are higher. The smell is pleasant. The dominant colors are beige, light brown. Wood reflects a yellow light. The barrels work peacefully.

The upper floor of the barge
The upper floor of the barge
bar 166

You can get your own keg on Barge 166.

Experience a unique adventure with Excellence Rhum. At the heart of a floating oasis on the Seine, not far from the vibrant city of Paris, lies Barge 166 - a barge transformed into a barrel-aging sanctuary by the legendary Maison Plantation. Among these many barrels, one is patiently waiting for your name!

The Excellence Rum selection

We go back to the reception area. Margaux prepares two rows of glasses and brings samples. Florent and I have the task of selecting a barrel. We taste, take notes. There are rums from Barbados, Fiji, Jamaica. The degrees differ, as do the aromas. The three of us discuss profiles, production methods, column, pot still, with or without dosage, flavors, power. The tasting is fascinating. Which profile do we want to select? Many are good. We establish our own classification and select a magnificent Jamaican rum, fruity, tangy, from Long Pond, distilled in 2017.

The adventure begins like this. We will follow the aging of this rum for several months. We will decide to bottle it when it has the desired maturity so you may come and share it with us.

Florent and Margaux, in the middle of the selection
barge 166 the floting cellar

We offer you the chance to have your own barrel on Barge 166

Embark on a unique adventure with Excellence Rhum. At the heart of a floating oasis on the Seine, not far from the bustling city of Paris, lies the Barge 166 - a barge transformed into a barrel maturation sanctuary by the legendary Maison Plantation. Among these many barrels, one of them patiently awaits your name!

Written by

Matthieu Lange
Matthieu Lange
Spirits Advisor