Rumpundit

In the face of the tragedy that afflicted Haiti, it might seem frivolous to worry about a distillery, but Haiti’s iconic Rhum Barbancourt is one of the few indigenous export industries that has survived over the years and it is crucial to redevelopment.

I spoke to Mike Yarema of Crillon Importers in New Jersey, and although information is skimpy, he reports that that the damage to the distillery is not as severe as first thought, and most of the workers seem to be OK.

I have visited the distillery and it is a fair distance to the North of Port Au Prince, past the airport so it was away from the epicentre and it is also on flat terrain.

With the damage to the port and logistics it will of course be some time before the rhummery starts exporting again, but Mike has offered me some bottles which I will be auctioning at a forthcoming fundraiser. Details will be posted here.

Rumpundit.

In fact, since I missed it, here is the announcement of renewal of the contract between Barbancourt and Crillon

Jim Nikola
Sr. VP Marketing
jnikola@crillonimporters.com
201.268.8878 (x12)

Crillon Importers and Societe du Rhum Barbancourt Renew Contract
New long term deal maintains distribution of the Rhum Barbancourt brands in North America

New York – Dec 18th, 2009- Crillon Importers and Societe du Rhum Barbancourt are proud to announce a new long-term agreement that will keep the Rhum Barbancourt family of brands within Crillon’s portfolio. Under the new contract, Crillon Importers will continue its role as the sole North American importer and marketer of the one-of-a-kind rum imported from Haiti, made directly from the juice of pure sugar cane.

Crillon Importers Chairman and CEO Michel Roux, the man behind the marketing success of top brands such as Absolut, Grand Marnier, Bombay Sapphire and Stolichnaya, praised Rhum Barbancourt as a rising star among Crillon’s collection of spirits. “Rhum Barbancourt is a powerful brand with unbelievable potential,” said Roux. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Rhum Barbancourt because it will undoubtedly result in the continued growth of the brand and ultimately develop into one the premier spirits in the marketplace.”

Societe du Rhum Barbancourt Executive Director and brand owner Thierry Gardere also noted both the established success and long term potential of Rhum Barbancourt. “We’re happy with the success we’ve seen so far, our business has virtually doubled in size” said Gardere. “Witnessing Michel Roux’s dynamic brand-building capabilities first-hand also makes us extremely optimistic about the future of Rhum Barbancourt.”

Founded in 1862 by the Gardere family, The Rhum Barbancourt distillery in Haiti employs cognac making methods to rum production. So what makes Rhum Barbancourt so superior? Rather than using molasses, Rhum Barbancourt is made directly from locally grown sugar cane. The 100% pure sugar cane juice, pressed from hand cut cane, is distilled twice in copper pot stills. It is then barrel aged in white Limousin oak barrels imported from France. The unparalleled quality of Rhum Barbancourt is truly indicative of the superior ingredients and production process. One taste and you’ll understand why Rhum Barbancourt has been honored with awards and accolades for over a century and has emerged as the “rum of connoisseurs.” Rhum Barbancourt dark rums are available aged 15 years (Estate Reserve), 8 Years (Reserve Speciale), 4 years (3-star) and the newest flavor Pango Rhum (aged dark rhum blended with pineapple, mango and a secret Haitian spice). Rhum Barbancourt is also available in white.

To learn more about Rhum Barbancourt visit www.barbancourt.net

About Crillon Importers
Rhum Barbancourt is imported and marketed in the U.S. by Crillon Importers, founded by legendary spirits marketer Michel Roux and located in Paramus, New Jersey. In addition to Rhum Barbancourt, the company imports a variety of high end spirit brands including Agavero, Magellan Gin, Absente, Absinthe Refined, Grande Absente, Absinthe Originale, and Absinthe Ordinaire.
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