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Habitation25 Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueAs soon as I entered the house, I was in awe:the driveways, the garden, the house, the distillery… It’s so beautiful! Déborah gives me a warm welcome. We meet in the magnificent salons of the Habitation du Simon, where period furniture, meticulous decoration, subtle lighting and harmonious colors lend each space a remarkable elegance.
A small group of holidaymakers and islanders have signed up for this morning’s guided tour, and I’m going to follow the group to discover the site and the various stages in the manufacture of A1710 rums.
A little history …
Our guide begins by describing the particular history of the distillery. The site was used to produce cane sugar between the 18th and mid-19th centuries. In 2006, the owner embarked on a bold and exciting project: the creation of a new rum distillery, something that had not been done for decades. The takeover of Habitation du Simon, his passion for Martinique and the expertise of an entire team enabled him to bring this project to fruition.
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Habitation7 Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueRenovations brought the historic buildings back to life, and the rum distillery was installed in the former 18th century sugar mill. Ten years later, the distillery was inaugurated. The main house, restored and redecorated with great taste and elegance, is now open to the public.
Habitation20 Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueAs we cross the garden, our guide talks about the special features of the A1710 distillery: artisanal agricultural rum, hand-cutting, distillation in alembics all year round… We pass the “Maison des Amis” (Friends’ House) – which hosts the “Séjour Rhumier”, which Déborah will tell me about later – before entering the distillery.
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Distillationaalambic Rhum Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueThis is where the cane juice ferments for 4-5 days, before being poured into and heated in the two Charentais copper stills “Belle Aline” – whose 1000 L will yield 150 L of the precious nectar – and ” Douce Alice “. The distillers show us the whole process in a very educational way, answering all our questions.
I find it fascinating to see the first brut de distillat rum being born and poured!
We continue our visit to the new winery, inaugurated in February 2024. Its location between the sea and the mountains ensures a thermal amplitude conducive to ageing and barrel work. Cellar master Cédric Paviot welcomes us. He tells us all about the different barrels, the reduction process, the settling time, the moment when he senses that the rum is ready to be bottled… His explanations are clear and fascinating… It’s captivating!
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Cannes8 Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueWe then pass by the sugar cane fields, in particular the one next to the house: the organic cane plot for Perle Rare white rum, planted with blue and red cane of extraordinary flavor. The estate’s other plots feature a dozen varieties of sugar cane. The cane is cut by hand, the old-fashioned way. The cane cutter explains that with only 2 cutting points, the cane oxidizes less quickly, giving a “clean” cane, ready to be ground by the mill.
Distilleriea17104 Lefrancois MartiniqueWe now head for the workshop, where Nadine shows us how A1710 rums are dressed. When the filled and corked bottle arrives in her hands, she takes the flask, dips the neck in colored wax (today it’s gold!), and dexterously turns it. Next comes the label, the lace onto which she threads the little booklet before making 2 turns and 2 knots, and off she goes! The bottle is ready to be placed in its box. What skill!
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Habitation26 Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueWhite rums
Rhums Reposés Sous Bois
Très Vieux Rhums
An immersive 4-day stay with the A1710 rums team, where your group (max 6 people) stays at the house or villa ” La Coulée d’or “ and takes part in one of the distillery’s activities each morning: cutting the cane, discovering the estate and working in the cellar, distilling and dressing the bottles, tasting with the cellar master. The afternoon is free to relax in the house, stroll in the park, visit the surrounding area… As a gift, you’ll leave with your own personalized bottles of white rum, unforgettable souvenirs of a unique experience.
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Habitation3 Distilleriea1710 Lefrancois MartiniqueA visit to the A1710 distillery is a not-to-be-missed step on the itinerary of spirit tourism in Martinique! A domain sublime in its beauty, a team passionate and proud of its rums, from the manager to the cane cutter. The tours are very interesting. Thank you Déborah, and above all, thank you to all the men and women who make this young company such a success.
* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, and should be consumed in moderation.
