Damoiseau Rhum Blanc 50°

I got my one-litre bottle in France for just under €20. The favourable price was due to the reduced excise tax rate on rum from the overseas departments.

It covers an annual quota of 153,000 hectoliters of pure alcohol, provided that the compensation does not exceed 50% of the standard excise tax on alcohol in France. Two side remarks on this: (a) any reduction in excise duties requires EU approval, as the EU regulates competition within the internal market, and (b) excise revenue contributes to the member state's national budget, so the discount does not affect the EU budget.

The Council's arguments are as follows: “Production costs of the cane-sugar-rum value chain [...] are higher than in other regions of the world. In particular, the remoteness, difficult topography and climate [...] significantly impact the cost of ingredients and production. Furthermore the labour costs are higher than those in neighbouring countries as the French social legislation is applicable in Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion. These outermost regions are also subject to Union environment and safety standards, which entail important investments and costs which are not directly related to productivity, [...]. Furthermore, distilleries [...] are smaller than distilleries of international groups. This generates higher production costs per unit of output.”

Sugar cane is mainly cultivated in (sub)tropical climates, and as a result, the distance from profitable markets and topographical challenges affect nearly all producers. I am more persuaded by arguments related to social and environmental standards or sustainable development efforts, as they offer a positive and desirable point of reference. Applause to France for its effectiveness and job protection.

The brand Damoiseau traces its origins not to the historical establishment of the estate in the 19th century, but to its actual acquisition by the family in 1942. This is noteworthy, as there is a common tendency to stretch timelines, often based on the assumption that longevity implies prestige.

The Damoiseau distillery produces 55% of all rum from Guadeloupe, yet it remains a family-run business. Jean-Luc Damoiseau is the master distiller, his sister Sandrine promotes the brand through events and the company is led by Hervé, who is also active in CIRT DOM, an association that advocates for the interests of the rum production sector in the overseas territories. In general, the activists support each other, even though they sometimes clash over the distribution of the aforementioned quotas.

Hervé firmly believes that the finest rum originates from overseas departments, so he isn't afraid of competition. However, he recognizes that the vast array of products and marketing messages confuses consumers, making it difficult for them to identify and appreciate quality. It's worth noting that while Martinique obtained Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée status (1996), other regions in the overseas departments are subject to the less stringent Geographical Indication (GI) designation, such as Rhum de la Guadeloupe (introduced in 2015).

Damoiseau is the largest as well as the youngest distillery in Guadeloupe, and the only active distillery in Grande-Terre. This region is characterised by a dry climate and clayey soils that are both fertile and moisture-retentive. Agricole is produced from fresh sugarcane juice, which means that harvesting occurs seasonally, from March to July. Fermentation lasts between 24 and 36 hours. The rhum distilled with column stills is 80-89% ABV strong and then gradually diluted with reverse osmosis water. Finally, it rests for about 90 days in stainless steel tanks.