RHUM LONGUETEAU - Very Old Rum - Prelude - 50.2%
The Longueteau family settled in Guadeloupe as early as 1766, thus embedding their heritage in the sugar and rum history of the archipelago. It was towards the end of the 19th century that Louis-Philippe Henry Longueteau made a major step by acquiring part of the prestigious Marquisat de Sainte-Marie, put up for auction following a severe crisis in the sugar industry. A few years later, in 1895, he expanded his estate by acquiring the Espérance plantation, initiating the crucial transition from the traditional sugar mill status to that of a renowned artisanal distillery.
Today, François Longueteau passionately continues this family tradition. He runs the house with authentic expertise, making this distillery the only one in Guadeloupe owned by a proprietor who is both a farmer and a master distiller. This dual expertise guarantees exceptional quality since all the rums are made from sugarcane grown on their own lands. The juices are carefully harvested and crushed on the same day of their full maturity, then naturally fermented for 48 hours—without any artifices or additives such as antifoam agents, acidifiers, or other substances—before being distilled in a 28-plate Savalle column, a benchmark of excellence in traditional distillation.
The new range of Longueteau Harmonie Rums comes in three refined expressions: "Prelude" (amber rum), "Symphonie" (aged rum), and "Concerto" (very old rum). Each new release has been rigorously approved by the entire Longueteau family, including François and his sons Nicolas and François, thus ensuring an authentic transmission of family know-how. This Harmonie range is the result of two years of in-depth research, and it is embodied notably by this Prelude rum, a unique Full Proof, limited to 1400 numbered copies.
Like its siblings within the Harmonie range, this rum takes its name from a musical form, highlighting the harmony between tradition and innovation. The "Prelude" embodies the idea of a delicate and promising introduction to the range, evoking a musical opening full of subtlety and character. To achieve this exceptional edition, several 50° Longueteau white rums from different vintages were carefully blended, then patiently aged in new oak barrels for several years, thus revealing a rare aromatic depth and remarkable complexity.
