Rum vs. Rhum: which do you prefer?
It’s common knowledge that Martinique is a great place to provision. There are many things that can be purchased here cheaper, and in better variety, than they can on most of the English-speaking islands. That said, there are some things that are best stocked up on before coming to Martinique, as they are simply not available. I plan to touch on that subject in a future post, but I’ll focus today on one item that is dear to all sailor’s hearts: Rum!
Unless you’re a rum aficionado (while we are not, some of our friends are), you may not be aware that there are two distinct types of rum, each made in a slightly different way. There is the rum that we are used to, Traditional Rum, or Rhum Industriel as it is known here, made from fermented molasses. The second variety, known as Rhum Agricole, is made from fresh sugarcane juice. If you haven’t tried both varieties, let me just say this, there is a huge difference between the two!
The bottle of Kirk & Sweeney that you see featured in this post’s cover pic was a gift from our friend Dave Russell, a man who most definitely is a rum aficionado! It’s a traditional rum made in the Dominican Republic, and we’ve for some time wanted to get our hands on a bottle. Can you guess why? 😉
During Dave’s last trip through Grenada he brought us this bottle, and even though we didn’t get a chance to meet up in person, he left it there with a friend for us to pick up. It’s such an awesome gift, and we have been waiting for just the right moment to open the bottle, and enjoy it. Thanks so much, Dave!
When shopping for rum on the English-speaking islands, traditional rum is largely what you will find in the stores. If you visit the Soggy Dollar Bar in the BVI and order a painkiller, traditional rum is what it will be made with.
In the French-speaking islands, Rhum Agricole is all that you will find on the shelves. And you’ll find a hundred different varieties — the French apparently take their Rhum very seriously!
Have you ever heard of a Ti’ Punch? That is the shorter, more common name for a Petit Ponch, a favored cocktail here. It is only ever made with Rhum Agricole, French Rhum.
A make-your-own Ti’ Punch buffet. Photo from Wikipedia.
Incidentally, in Grenada there are three rum distilleries: Clarks Court, Westerhall, and River Antoine. While the first two make or blend rums out of molasses, the latter produces it’s own blend of Rhum Agricole out of sugar cane, using an old, traditional water wheel. Pretty cool, eh?! If you’re just visiting Grenada, you should definitely pay River Antoine Estates a visit!
As for Rebecca and I, we are NOT fans of the French Rhum, at all! While many love it, we would prefer to just go without. If you’re planning an extended trip to Martinique, and you have similar tastes, you might want to stock up on the Traditional Rum before you get here. Otherwise, you’ll be rum-less.
Clarkes Court Special Dark
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjf_pictures/3202074668/in/album-72157612653952424/
That’s our go-to in Grenada. You may have noticed that it is the rum we were using in the Painkiller link I shared.
A friend introduced me to Kirk and Sweeney rum a couple of years ago. I loved it and I’ve bought several bottle of it since. A bit pricey but worth it. Nice hint of vanilla and smooth taste. Maybe too good to put in a painkiller.
Yes, I think too good for a painkiller. Just right for a special occasion.
Did you ever try the Chairman Reserve from St Lucia? It is my favorite sipping rum. I cannot stand the rum Agricole but Denis loves it
We actually just finished off the remainder of a bottle of Chairman’s Reserve last week.
I’ve got to disagree with you. When we were in Martinique it was near impossible to find a bad Rhum Agricole, and I like them a lot.
Huge fan of Ti’Punch, and it does work just fine with many other quality rums when you can’t get the Agricole. We made more than a few with Clarke’s Court and Westerhall, though it probably wouldn’t technically pass the French “sniff test” for a proper Ti’Punch its a nice way to enjoy those fine rums as well. But you can’t buy cane syrup in Grenada for love or money, so you better bring it with you.
But there is a difference. We were very excited to find Martinique Rhum Agricole when we were shopping in New Caledonia, literally on the other side of the world. And it wasn’t that expensive, especially when compared to things like American branded spirits.
We found at least one nice rum on pretty much every Caribbean island we visited. I like both styles.
I know many people like the French rhum. We are simply not among them. For those who do though, I have heard the distilleries here are quite good.