LES FRERES DE LA COTE Montebello Vieux Rhum 52.7° 50cl Guadeloupe

This new bottling is the result of the first aging experiment at the Montebello distillery. After 13 months in ex-Bourbon barrels , the rum set sail aboard the sailing ship Ide Min, under the command of Captain François, for a voyage of nearly four months. It then continued its maturation for a year in the cellars in Saint-Étienne, before being slowly reduced to 52.7% ABV for bottling.

Tasting notes: The wine is a light golden color with luminous highlights. The nose is expressive, fresh, and woody, blending ripe sugarcane, sweet spices, vanilla, and a hint of caramel. The palate is lively and elegant, revealing a beautiful structure. Notes of American oak harmonize beautifully with the tropical and vegetal aromas typical of Montebello. The finish is subtly saline, a signature of maritime aging.

What is dynamic aging? It's accelerated aging thanks to the boat's movement: unlike in a static cellar, rum aboard a sailboat is in constant motion. This continuous rolling circulates the liquid inside the cask, promoting much more intense exchanges between the wood and the spirits. The result: the rum extracts aromatic compounds, tannins, and alcohol residues from the wood more quickly.

The interaction with the oak is amplified, and according to observations from the cellar masters we work with, this aging method allows for a process two to three times faster than in a static cellar. This saves time, but above all, it results in greater complexity and aromatic depth. A natural and beneficial over-oxygenation.

The second effect of aging at sea is increased oxygenation. The constant stirring leads to over-oxygenation of the rum, which softens the most volatile compounds (aldehydes, esters) and allows the aromas to blend more harmoniously. The rum becomes smoother, more mellow, and its aromas are more readily revealed on the palate.

This natural oxygenation also improves the rum's stability at high proofs, allowing it to maintain alcohol levels above 50% ABV while remaining highly drinkable and boasting very long finishes. In short, the sea becomes an integral part of the production process, just like the distillery or the cellar. Our rums thus carry the memory of their journey: a living imprint, at once ecological, artisanal, and sensory.

The Montebello Distillery: Auguste Clément Dolomie, a merchant originally from La Désirade, decided to establish a distillery on the land of the eponymous plantation. Nestled in the first hills of the Petit-Bourg plain , he decided to name it “Carrère”, the name of the district where the distillery is located.

Today, the Marsolle brothers have decided to restore the brand to its former glory by focusing on young, local management. The family distillery aims to improve quality and efficiency, and increase its visibility both locally and internationally, through the implementation of a new, dynamic team. They are working together to showcase the expertise, the terroir, and the quality of Guadeloupean spirits.