Come for the beach and stay for the rum–Martinique’s rum is renowned for its quality…
By Karen Kwan
There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to Martinique that you might not be able to put your finger on immediately. Yes, it’s got a striking volcanic landscape and charming fishing villages, but after a few days here, you’ll realize it’s the island’s French flair with a West Indian twist that’s so captivating. Its culture continues to reflect the island’s African, French and West Indian history–from the lovely French with a Creole accent spoken here to the cuisine (you’ll find dishes with French roots but infused with the island’s ingredients, such as banana gratin–a side dish of plantains and béchamelsauce baked with cheese) and, of course, the rum.
While rum has strong ties into many Caribbean islands’ culture and history, Martinique’s rum in particular should rank high on every rum fan’s travel bucket list as it’s the only rum protected with an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). This designation is a sign of its authenticity, quality and origin–in the same way Champagne hails from the Champagne region in France or parmagiano reggiano hails from Parma, Italy.
What sets Martinique rum apart? Martinique’s rhum agricole is distilled from freshly pressed sugarcane rather than molasses. The island’s rich volcanic soil is ideal for growing sugarcane and the terroir creates a signature flavour. Also, the rum is distilled in a process that creates a lighter, fragrant spirit and aged in French oak barrels. To truly appreciate the complexity and aromas of the different types of Martinique rum, and of course, the difference in taste that comes from aging, plan for tours and tastings at a few of the dozen or so rum distilleries on the island–you’ll see that it can always be rum o’clock on this island!
Where to start your rum tastings
Habitation Clément is a sprawling 160-acre landmark in the heart of sugar cane plantations in southeast Martinique that houses the historical headquarters of Rhum Clement. Book an in-depth two-hour tour of the property to explore the lush botanical grounds, learn about Clément’s history and rum distilling process, and, of course, finish with a rum tasting during which your guide will provide their expert insights so you can deepen your learnings about this beloved spirit.
In the city of Saint-Pierre, at the foot of Montagne Pelee lies the distillery Depaz. One of the smaller distilleries on the island, Depaz is still run with an old steam engine and you may even spot the fresh sugarcane being loaded and prepared as you explore the grounds. Tour the property on your own as a self-guided stroll–there are panels with historical information throughout and a museum, green space, distilling facility and castle to explore. Note: To tour the castle, there’s a cost of 5€ (which includes one tasting), but the beautifully maintained castle–offers a peek into the office where Victor Depaz worked from and the smoking room where men would gather and the games room for their wives–and is well worth the entrance fee.
Where to stay
Hotel Bambou in Les Trois-Îlets features charming colourful bungalow-type rooms that have a beach house vibe. There’s a buffet with a wide variety of choices (but you can also easily walk into town to some local restaurants) and the property is right on the beach. You can also easily walk to the town’s shops and marina (making it easy to get to a day tour that’ll get you out onto the water on a catamaran).
How to get there
Air Canada flies direct from Toronto to Martinique seasonally from mid-December to mid-April, and direct from Montreal year-round.
