WE’RE BRINGIN’ BACK BARBANCOURT! After a lengthy absence from Australian shores, The legendary Haitian Barbancourt is back in Oz, and we’re leading the charge with their 8-year-Old ‘Five Star’ French Oak matured R(h)um masterpiece.

The distillery was born in 1862 and has been a family-run affair for the 160 years since then. At first a small affair selling locally, in the mid-twentieth century the estate was modified – the sugar cane fields moved (and expanded) and the distillery upgraded and expanded. By 1952, Barbancourt was up and running at full strength – and the increased production allowed them to export their rums overseas.

In a country rife with small, artisanal and backyard distilleries, Barbancourt is the largest Haitian rum producer and regularly exports in bulk to places such as Holland and America and so is featured in lots of overseas indy bottlers line-ups.

Barbancourt collaborate with over 3000 farmers for their cane supply. They only use one variety of cane – ‘Madame Mevs’ – due to its “exceptional aromatic potential”. Barbancourt is an Agricole style rum (rhum)  – made from cane juice rather than molasses.

Whilst originally distillation was carried out in copper pot stills, these days Barbancourt run a 3- column continuous still where the first column strips the solid matter from the wash and the second and third columns serve to concentrate the resultant spirit.

As the name suggests – The 8yo is a blend of 8yo casks, distilled aged and bottled in Haiti. Barbancourt traditionally have used French oak casks and the 8yo is no exception with exclusive French oak maturation. A little sugar is added – around 6g/l. Bottled at 43% and available in Australia once again especially for the Rum Tribe.

BARBANCOURT’S BACK BABY!

Our Tasting Notes:

Nose: Lots of ‘Agricole style’ grassy and herbaceous notes but there’s also some fruit notes I’m more used to from a molasses-based rum.  

Palate: Lovely clean mouthfeel with a burst of pepper (ala those French oak casks!) proceeding a delightfully fruity palate of funky tropical fruit salad (surprisingly un-Agricole like), jasmine notes, some boiled lolly hints

Finish: a low-level ginger pepperiness underlines the finish (especially the first nip) with juicy stewed fruits, vanilla notes and even a touch of salted caramel there. Not a super long finish but one that’s easy to sit on while you’re contemplating the next!

This is a very interesting rum (not to mention very, very drinkable). Whilst it’s made in he Agricole style, it’s a bit Jekyll and Hyde as it certainly has some big fruity aspects that are more familiar in molasses-based rums. Very easy to drink and will impress at any table!

ABOUT BARBANCOURT

Part of the original collection developed by Dupré Barbancourt, the Rhum Barbancourt 8YO, is elaborated from pure sugar cane juice, and aged in oak barrels for 8 years. This rum was originally called “La Goutte d’Or”, which translates to English as the “The Golden Drop”.

Finish: Complex, roasted notes, stewed fruits (prunes), orange marmalade

Appearance: Pale gold with green hues

Nose: Rich bouquet of vanilla and pepper

Palate: Powerful, mellow, well-balanced