🥃 Rhum agricole

Rhum agricole is rum distilled exclusively from fermented sugar-cane juice rather than molasses. In EU law it corresponds to the term “agricultural” added to the name of a rum: it is allowed only for geographical indications of the French overseas departments and the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The best-known example is the AOC Rhum de la Martinique.

Regulation (EU) 2019/787 sets the same conditions for this term as for “traditionnel”: raw materials only from the place of production, distillation below 90% vol., at least 225 g of volatile substances per hectolitre of pure alcohol, and no sweetening at all. On top of that, only cane juice may be used. The general rum rules also apply: at least 37.5% vol., no flavourings and no added alcohol.

According to INAO, Rhum de la Martinique is exclusively agricole. The name has held AOC status since 1996, and the production area is the whole of Martinique except small islets and rocks, about thirty communes. The fermented juice is distilled at a low strength of 65 to 75%.

The AOC has three categories. Rhum blanc simply rests after distillation, without contact with wood. Rhum élevé sous bois is aged in wood for at least 12 months. Rhum vieux spends at least three years in wood and is bottled in Martinique itself. In the EU register, “Rhum de la Martinique” is listed as a registered name, alongside the rums of Guadeloupe, Réunion and French Guiana.

Why it matters to you. The word “agricole” on a label tells you the raw material — cane juice — not the quality or age. Age is shown by the categories blanc, élevé sous bois and vieux. Molasses rum may not use this term, and sweetened agricole is not allowed in the EU. And remember: according to the WHO, there is no safe amount of alcohol.