TROIS RIVIERES - Vintage 1986 - 45%
The prestigious Plantation of Trois Rivières represents a jewel of the historical and cultural heritage of Martinique. Since 1660, Nicolas Fouquet, superintendent of King Louis XIV, granted himself a vast estate of 2,000 hectares located in the south of the island, thus laying the foundations of a rich history. In 1785, Etienne Isaïe Marraud Des Grottes, a prominent landowner from the north of the island, acquired these symbolic lands and diversified activities by integrating rum production into the traditional sugar production. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the plantation mainly focused on sugarcane cultivation, while at the beginning of the 20th century, it started exclusive production of agricultural rum, which has become emblematic since 1940. The Trois Rivières Distillery was then bought in 1994 by the B.B.S. company, already owner of the famous La Mauny rums. Two years later, Trois Rivières obtained the prestigious Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), making it the only rum in the world to benefit from this protected Martinican origin label. The name "Trois Rivières" refers to the proximity of three essential rivers that irrigate the sugarcane fields: Oman, Bois d’Inde, and Saint Pierre.
The artisanal and rigorous manufacturing process begins with the careful harvesting of sugarcane in February, a period during which the sugar content is optimal. The canes, cut and crushed within less than 24 hours, release a juice called vesou, immediately transferred into open fermentation tanks. For 24 to 30 hours, thanks to the natural action of yeasts, this juice transforms into cane wine. This wine is then distilled in a traditional Creole column still, ensuring precise extraction of aromas. The resulting rum ages gently in carefully selected oak barrels, of moderate capacity never exceeding 650 liters, to develop a unique aromatic complexity. The aging lasts at least 3 years, representing a perfect balance between elegance and gustatory intensity.
