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Book for punchs & rhums arrangés All the recipes for sparkling, fruity, and surprising punches and arranged rums, not forgetting the great classics. |
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Caroni 10th Anniversary We are pleased to present one of the centerpieces of our 10th years anniversary collection... |
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Flat Peach Brandy (Pesche Saturno) made by one of the best distillers in the world: Capovilla |
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We offer 4 rum workshops from €50, discover our many dates. Possibility of privatizing a workshop. Our workshops are mainly in French. |
Come to the store to discover the terroirs of rum, new references - Our tastings are 100% free |
Compose your sample box (60ml sample) with our box of 2, 3 and 5 samples. Your personalized gift! |
The Rhumfest lived up to all its promises in terms of attendance: a large number of brands, exhibitors and a crowd of enthusiastic visitors. This year marked a first for Excellence Rhum, which was entrusted with the management of the official Rhumfest store. Alexandre tells you about this unforgettable experience for our team. Now let's get to the heart of the matter with our opinions and our favorites!
This edition of Rhum Fest Paris has a very special flavor for us. For the first time, Excellence Rhum had the privilege of managing the official Pop-Up Shop of the show, a logistical and human challenge that we met with pride, passion… and intensity! Although the fast pace of the weekend didn't allow me to taste as many rums as I would have liked, I had the chance to experience this event at the heart of the action, surrounded by a fantastic team, made up of both rum enthusiasts and loyal friends of Excellence Rhum, who have been there since the beginning. Their commitment, energy and professionalism were the keys to the success of this shop. We were also able to count on the trust and reactivity of the partner brands, who responded with exclusive promotions, facilitating visitors' purchases and contributing to the generous and friendly atmosphere of this pop-up shop.
Finally, I would like to highlight an initiative that has generated a lot of enthusiasm: the exclusive presence of two emblematic houses – Longueteau and Savanna – which were nevertheless absent from the show's stands, but well represented at the Comptoir des Innovations. Thanks to two vintages bottled exclusively for Excellence Rhum, we were able to bring these houses to life in a different way. The success was evident, both in the number of tastings and in the bottles sold. A great recognition of the work of selection and promotion that we carry out with exacting standards. This Rhum Fest was intense, human, vibrant... and this is just the beginning!
The Rhum Fest once again lived up to its promises, oscillating between discoveries and confirmation of a desire to raise standards. Moreover, the event is always an opportunity for friendly and passionate encounters between enthusiasts and professionals from all over the globe. Let's start with a visit to Bally to discover the latest 2009 vintage produced by the famous Marc Sassier! A tasting that reaffirms the excellence of this Martinique house, where distillation and aging take place in Sainte-Marie. This Cask Strength, mild in alcohol (49.2%), reveals a powerful woody aromatic attack, a persistence in the mouth and a remarkable texture, all crowned by a generous and fruity finish.
The discovery continues at the Baie des Trésors distillery, where my gaze lingered on their already renowned Brut d'amphore. This agricultural rum, cask strength, stands out due to its original aging in a sandstone amphora, a container that promotes constant micro-oxygenation. This meticulous choice aims to bring the spirit an extraordinary suppleness and roundness. Despite its 71.2% alcohol content, the strength fades with surprising ease, revealing a pronounced sweetness, enhanced by seductive saline and mineral notes. My little finger tells me that a future edition will be just as impressive.
On a stroll through the booths, my adventurer friend, Mitch Wilson, introduced me to the revival of the traditional Black Tot. The blend, paying homage to the style of the Royal Navy, in addition to its elements from Guyana, Barbados, and Jamaica, is enriched with a rum from Trinidad and Tobago, making the profile more indulgent. A great success, perfect for introducing the most unknown style to young enthusiasts while satisfying the most experienced! Compagnie des Indes strikes hard and joins forces with the organizers of the Rhum Fest for an explosive selection! Expect the unexpected: a pure juice from the Dominican Republic, the result of a long fermentation. This rum is a true gustatory UFO. Its singularity lies in a bold balance: salty, tangy, intense, and surprisingly oily. A unique profile, far from the usual standards of the island, often sweet and caramelized. It shakes up conventions and helps redefine the landscape of Dominican rum!
Head to the VIF for an exploration of exceptional rums, from timeless classics to unique profiles. Among many references, a Saint-James 1982 with deep aromas of undergrowth; the Zetwal Sirius from Neisson, a model of balance between elegant woody notes and notes of dried fruit; and an exclusive blend Co Bottling series #18 of old Demerara, from Gardel and high-hydrocarbon Caroni signed Swell de Spirit, limited to only 7 copies! My favorite this time is Bologne. The Guadeloupe distillery pushes the limits of agricultural rum creativity with "Les Expérientiels No1, ADN 2016". This exceptional rum is made from 100% black cane, grown in 2016 on the property's volcanic soil. After a year of rest in stainless steel vats, it was aged in old French oak Cognac casks, followed by a unique finish: a cask "re-fermented" by the addition of acetobacter aceti. The result? A rum with a profile that is both sweet, smooth and intensely balsamic, which captivates from the first sip. A unique nectar with terribly addictive flavors! This year again, the Rhum Fest demonstrates that the artisans and producers of cane spirits cultivate a universe in perpetual effervescence, driven by a vision turned towards the future, ready to amaze and seduce both novice palates and the most discerning connoisseurs.
From the moment I arrived, I headed straight for the gems announced by the unmissable La Martiniquaise group: Père Labat Dame Jeanne and Depaz Cuvée des hôtes du Château. Père Labat Dame Jeanne stands out with its elegant notes of sugar cane and fruit. On the palate, you can savor hints of citrus, followed by a peppery finish. The Depaz Cuvée des hôtes du Château, on the other hand, is a true jewel of balance. This rum will appeal to both fruit lovers, thanks to its aromas of prunes and stewed exotic fruits, and those who prefer drier rums with its notes of cigar and wood. At Carnival, I discovered the 2022 organic white rum cuvée. This rum offers an authentic taste of slightly peppery cane, enhanced by iodized notes. I then stopped at the Swell de Spirit stand. In a short time, the rums bottled by founder Michael Barbaria have gained in complexity and richness. Among their remarkable selections, two particularly impressed me: Easy Peasy Series High Ester Blended Rum, Jamaica, Barbados, Venezuela, Belize, and the Jamaican rum, aged in ex-TDL cask, selected by Premium Craft Spirits, remarkable on the fruit.
The Bielle 2015, Goélette Limited Edition, is a rum from Marie-Galante with a spicy attack and a development on fruity notes like quince. A must-stop at the La Favorite booth for a promising update. My recommendations: The Cœur de Canne 50% white rum, extremely fruity with a beautiful length on the palate. The brand new La Favorite 8 years (2015), cask strength at 51.9%, aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Its aromas of ripe fruit balanced by sweet spices are a real success. Special mention for the cask strength 2 colonne 2022, bottled at 71.8%, an expression of remarkable intensity. At the indefatigable Ricci Family, two rums caught my attention: The TDL 2008, Rhumfest edition with deep notes of black fruits. The Ten Cane 2008, drier, with aromas of resinous wood and spicy flavors. Finally, I finish with three exceptional agricultural rums: The Marsolle rum, finished in ex-chestnut barrels, which offers a unique and singular woody character. Batch 2 of Braud et Quennesson - Fond Poterie, with incredible sweetness, and the Trois Rivières 2006 rum, Missouri cask, remarkable for its woody notes subtly caressed by a balsamic cognac.
