The Habitation La Maugée, renamed Saint-Etienne in 1863, evolved from a sugar factory to a distillery after its purchase by Amédée Aubery in 1882. This young industrial captain revolutionized the estate by modernizing the buildings and taking advantage of the Lézarde river, which runs through the property. This river still supplies the still today and is also used to precisely dilute the cane juices. In 1994, the Hayot family (Yves and José) acquired the property following the judicial recovery of the former owners. A large renovation campaign was then launched in this Martinican estate classified as a Historic Monument, notably including the transfer of the distillation column to Simon. The Saint-Etienne brand then became HSE, an acronym for Habitation Saint-Etienne, an iconic reference in the world of Martinique agricultural rums.
This HSE Sauternes Finish - Château La Tour Blanche vintage 2005 rum is a centerpiece of the extra old rum range from the prestigious "Finishes of the World" series. A true invitation to escape, HSE has committed to a rigorous selection of international wine and spirit casks to enhance the maturation of its exceptional rums. Each finish gives these rums a strong, unique, and recognizable identity, thus appealing to the most demanding connoisseurs. This innovative approach sparked a true revolution in the spirits world, combining boldness and traditional know-how with outstanding success.
After a traditional aging of 8 years in oak barrels, this vintage old rum is then refined for 1 year in ex-Sauternes barrels from the prestigious Château La Tour Blanche, classified Premier Cru of Sauternes. This process gives the rum a rare aromatic complexity, where the sweet and indulgent notes of Sauternes beautifully enhance the deep and woody flavors of the agricultural rum. A true gem for lovers of exceptional rums seeking an unforgettable tasting experience.