Martinique AOC — Rhum Agricole
Martinique is the only rum-producing territory with a French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) — granted in 1996 for Rhum Agricole. The AOC mandates that rum be distilled exclusively from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice (not molasses), at specific still types, and from approved cane varieties grown in designated parcels of the island. The result is a radically different product from molasses-based rum: grassy, vegetal, funky in a green-cane sense rather than fruity-funk, with a freshness and terroir expression that changes by plantation, cane variety, and harvest timing. Blanc (unaged) is consumed locally with food; Elevé sous Bois (3 months wood) bridges raw to aged; Vieux (aged minimum 3 years) develops vanilla, spice, and dried fruit. Single vintage 'Millésime' expressions — comparable to vintage Cognac — are the pinnacle.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 91 | The 2022 Martinique production benefited from a clean, dry harvest window. Neisson's 2022 Blanc achieved 93 points from specialist rum critics. The fresh cane juice quality was outstanding — among the best unaged agricole expressions produced in recent years. |
| 2019 | 90 | The 2019 harvest was a strong standard year for Martinique: consistent rainfall and the structured AOC regulations maintained quality across all producers. Blanc expressions from 2019 showcase the region's fresh, grassy cane character at its most expressive. |
| 2015 | 93 | Exceptional Martinique cane harvest: ideal rainfall and temperature created unusually rich sugarcane juice with high Brix levels. The 2015 AOC agricole production — Neisson's Parcellaire single-parcel releases from this year — achieved critical consensus of 95+. Aged expressions from this year are at peak drinking (8-10 year tropical aging). |