Habitation St. Etienne Martinique Trés Vieux VSOP Rum 70 cl 45%

On an old sugarcane plantation in Gros-Morne, this rum matures for years while the protected brick buildings around the casks are a reminder that distilling here goes back to the 1800s.

Expert description

Habitation St. Etienne Martinique Très Vieux VSOP is an AOC Martinique Rhum Agricole, matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45%.

The rum is distilled at the Simon distillery in Le François and then aged in the historic cellars at Habitation Saint-Étienne itself in Gros-Morne, where the Hayot family has restored the old sugarcane plantation since 1994. Because it is a Rhum Agricole, it is pressed exclusively from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses, giving it a greener, creole starting point that the long ageing in American oak then layers with caramel and spice.

Tasting notes

Nose

Candied fruit such as apricot, peach and cantaloupe, followed by roasted almonds, caramel, milky coffee and a touch of clove, with a hint of grape must.

Palate

Broad and warm on the attack, settling softly on the palate without heaviness, smooth and round with an aromatic finish mirroring the nose.

Finish

Creole and spiced with a fine, lingering warmth from the long cask ageing.

Specifications

Distillery: Habitation Saint-Étienne (HSE)
Region/Country: Martinique
Type: Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American Oak
Edition: Très Vieux VSOP
EAN no.: 3328731101801
Serving suggestion: At room temperature in a snifter glass

Flavour profile

Candied Fruit · Caramel · Spiced · Round · Creole

Did you know?

The aqueduct and old buildings at Habitation Saint-Étienne were listed as a French historic monument in 2010, making the plantation itself just as worthy of preservation as the rum it produces.

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Frequently asked questions about Habitation St. Etienne Très Vieux VSOP

What is a Rhum Agricole?

It is a rum pressed directly from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses, a method especially associated with the French Caribbean islands like Martinique, giving a greener, creole character than molasses-based rum.

How old is the rum?

The VSOP designation requires a minimum of four years ageing, though the exact age varies as the release is a blend of several vintages.

What does Très Vieux VSOP taste like?

Candied fruit, roasted almonds and caramel on the nose, a broad, round palate and a spiced, creole finish.

How should it be served?

Best at room temperature in a snifter glass, letting the candied fruit notes fully unfold.

What makes Habitation Saint-Étienne special?

The estate is a historic sugarcane plantation in Gros-Morne, where the old buildings and aqueduct are listed as a historic monument, while the rum itself is distilled at the Simon distillery.

Does it pair well with food?

The candied fruit and caramel notes make it a good match for a fruit tart or a dark chocolate dessert.