🥃 Barbancourt

Barbancourt is a Haitian rum brand that has been made since 1862 from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses. Its founder, Dupré Barbancourt, came from the Charente region of France and used the double distillation familiar from cognac. The Gardère family still runs the brand, and most versions are bottled at 43% ABV.

History. Dupré Barbancourt, a native of the French Charente, completed the recipe in 1862, and the labels still carry the words 'Maison Fondée en 1862'. At first the house bought its juice from suppliers; it began using its own cane in 1952. In 1949 production moved to the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac near Damien, where it remains. After the founder's death the business passed to the Gardère family, although sources differ on the details.

How it's made. According to Difford's Guide, the raw material is freshly pressed cane juice. The spirit first runs through one column, then twice more in copper pot stills to about 90% ABV. It is diluted with filtered rainwater to 50% and aged in French oak from the Limousin. The method resembles cognac production.

Range. The line includes a white rum, the 3 Star (four years), the 5 Star Réserve Spéciale (eight years) and the Réserve du Domaine (fifteen years). Most labels state 43% ABV.

Why it matters to you. Check the age and strength on the label, not just the number of stars. In style, cane-juice rum is close to rhum agricole, but the law reserves the word 'agricole' for products from French overseas departments and Madeira. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.