With Rhum Rhum Libération 2024, the Rhum Rhum project makes its return after a four-year hiatus with a new expression born from the work of Gianni Capovilla and Luca Gargano . Based on the island of Marie-Galante , this project, which began in 2005, is founded on an artisanal approach to rhum agricole, using pure sugarcane juice, long fermentations, and distillation in a Müller pot still heated by a water bath . This new edition continues this philosophy while showcasing an ancient variety of sugarcane that has almost disappeared from the Antilles.
Rhum Rhum Libération 2024 is made from the Rouge B47.259 sugarcane variety. At full maturity, the cane is harvested by hand using the traditional machete and then transported to the distillery in ox-drawn carts. The freshly extracted juice is used undiluted before undergoing fermentation in open, temperature-controlled vats for up to 6 to 8 days .
Distillation is carried out in a pot still using the process specific to the Rhum Rhum project. After distillation, the rum benefits from a long resting period in stainless steel tanks, which can last up to a year, during which its alcohol content is gradually reduced. It then continues its maturation in a tropical climate in French oak barrels that previously held some of the finest wines from the most renowned vineyards in France.
The key feature of the Libération collection lies in the meaning of the vintage displayed on the label. “2024” does not refer to the year of distillation, but to the year of “liberation” from the cask, that is, the moment the rum is removed from its cask after maturation and prepared for bottling. This distinction has been a historical characteristic of the range since its first editions.
This expression refers to the reduced version of the 2024 edition, distinct from the full-size version offered at a higher concentration. Production is limited to just 1,500 bottles , making it a rather exclusive edition.
This vintage marks the return of Rhum Rhum with an expression that combines a rare raw material, a traditional harvesting method, extended fermentation, artisanal distillation in a pot still, and tropical maturation in French oak barrels that previously held fine wines. Rhum Rhum Libération 2024 thus continues the approach initiated by Gianni Capovilla and Luca Gargano in Marie-Galante, while highlighting a historic sugarcane variety and a particularly unique production expertise.
