Bellevue Estate
The history of Domaine de Bellevue rums
Domaine de Bellevue and its mill were founded in 1821 in Capesterre-De-Marie-Galante. Only sugar was produced, until 1910, the first year of distillation of rhum agricole.
The distillery underwent several successive owners, until it was bought by the Godefroy family in 1924. Gabriel Godefroy was in charge at first, before handing over to his son Albert.
The first modernization took place between the wars. The old iron still was abandoned in favor of the Creole column. This continuous distillation greatly increased yields, so much so that Bellevue became Marie-Galante' s leading producer with 39,000 liters of rum in 1940.
Still owned by the Godefroy family, the distillery was the only one to bottle its rum after the Second World War. It was then known as Magalda. In 2001, the Bardinet / La Martiniquaise group acquired the distillery, entrusting its management to Mr Hubert Damoiseau, Albert Godefroy's great nephew.
An innovative, pioneering project followed: to make the distillery eco-responsible. In 2003, it was completely modernized, and solar panels were installed. The old steam engine that powered the entire system was not abandoned, but now runs entirely on bagasse. Particular attention is also paid to effluents. The vinasse is stored in basins to be depolluted and used as a natural fertilizer in the cane fields.
All these efforts make it one of the only distilleries in the world to boast a positive carbon footprint.
Rum production at Domaine de Bellevue
Domaine de Bellevue is the largest sugarcane farm on Marie-Galante, with over 140 hectares under cultivation. Sugar cane is traditionally cut by hand and transported by oxen, but it can also be cut mechanically.
The distillery has 3 mills that press the fresh cane. The juice to be fermented is then sent to one of 12 stainless steel fermentation tanks. The vesou, fermented for 40 hours with baker's yeast, has an alcohol content of 5-6%.
Distillation takes place in 2 Creole columns, from which 77% of the rum is distilled.
Domaine de Bellevue is Guadeloupe's biggest exporter, producing 1,500,000 liters a year.
Domaine de Bellevue rums
The vast majority of Domaine de Bellevue rums are bottled without aging. The distillery supplies its rum to various customers, but also bottles its own white rums. The traditional proof on the island of Marie-Galante is 59°, but a 50° white rum is also available.
Only 5% of production is aged. This takes place in American and French oak barrels (ex-bourbon and ex-cognac).
The range of aged rums includes the famous "1821", the Réserve spéciale, a 10-year-old and an XO. Read less
