Rhum Agricole and Vintages?

[Mr Fjeld]

I was just wondering; do the distilleries at Martinique release "vintage rhum" every year or just "good years" - and if only in good years then of course the next question is what constitutes a good year?

I currently have an unopened J.M Rhum 1997 but I'm wondering if I should buy the 1992 as well. It's a bit expensive but I've read it's even better than the 1997. Sometime ago I finished the best rum I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying - the Trois Rivieres 1997

[Edward Hamilton]

Vintage rhums from Martinique aren't generally labeled as such every year. There were a lot of these labeled 1979, which as you might recall was a very bad year for the economy, but it was a good year for rhum production on Martinique. So there was an overabundance of rhum and a shortage of buyers. By labeling the rhum a vintage year, and raising the price, distillers were able to recoup some of their losses down the road.

I have a several old vintages of Martinique rhum but the important thing to remember is that most aren't aged more than 4 or 6 years unless they are labeled as such. On some of these bottles there is a date code on the closure.

I've seen old Martinique rhums priced at more than $3000, not that they were selling, but priced so because they can't be replaced. As distillers make changes to their still, or the companies are bought out, there are inevitable changes in the product, but older isn't always better. I'm holding on to my unopened bottles of old rhum for a day when I need the money and the price is right to sell.

[The Rum Ambassador]

Originally Posted by Edward Hamilton

I'm holding on to my unopened bottles of old rhum for a day when I need the money and the price is right to sell.

I'll buy a couple off of you if you're selling ?

[Mr Fjeld]

Originally Posted by Edward Hamilton

Vintage rhums from Martinique aren't generally labeled as such every year. There were a lot of these labeled 1979, which as you might recall was a very bad year for the economy, but it was a good year for rhum production on Martinique. So there was an overabundance of rhum and a shortage of buyers. By labeling the rhum a vintage year, and raising the price, distillers were able to recoup some of their losses down the road.

I have a several old vintages of Martinique rhum but the important thing to remember is that most aren't aged more than 4 or 6 years unless they are labeled as such. On some of these bottles there is a date code on the closure.

I've seen old Martinique rhums priced at more than $3000, not that they were selling, but priced so because they can't be replaced. As distillers make changes to their still, or the companies are bought out, there are inevitable changes in the product, but older isn't always better. I'm holding on to my unopened bottles of old rhum for a day when I need the money and the price is right to sell.

Great, thanks for the information! So those old vintages can be quite pricey then - but it doesn't necessarily correspond with quality? So, vintages could be a good investment then - maybe buy to sell and finance later purchases - or keep one sell one. I'm all for drinking though. Thanks for the reply, this is a great forum and I hope I'll spend more time here in the future

Cheers!
Christian

[Hank Koestner]

Ed, once again has put it all in perspective. I have purchased some vintage agricoles while down in the Islands, because I tasted them and the price was good. It is the actual age of the rum that is important. The TR 1996 was much less expensive than some of the offerings that were aged 10 years, according to the labels.

[Mr Fjeld]

Originally Posted by Hank Koestner

Ed, once again has put it all in perspective. I have purchased some vintage agricoles while down in the Islands, because I tasted them and the price was good. It is the actual age of the rum that is important. The TR 1996 was much less expensive than some of the offerings that were aged 10 years, according to the labels.

What you and Ed says makes sense. I just checked the prices of Trois Rivieres 1997 and the 8 year old variety on sale in Norway - and the vintage is the cheaper one. Still, I love it. Have you tried the 8yo?

[Hank Koestner]

No, I did not try the 8. As I remember I dont think an 8 was available.