Located in the small northern village of Macouba, Martinique, at the base of iconic volcano Mt. Pelée, Rhum J.M produces the finest AOC Rhum Agricole from estate-grown sugarcane.
Credited to be the first recorded distillery to produce Rhum Agricole, there is no fresher sugarcane crush in the world, taking less than an hour for sugarcane to go from field to fermentation tank.
1790
Antoine Leroux-Préville purchased the 400 acre estate and sugar refinery from the famous Jesuit priest, Father Pére Lebat. Located at the foot of Mt. Pelée, he gave it his name: 'Fonds-Préville’.
1845
The brand J.M is born, created by Jean-Marie Martin. He bought the sugar factory at Fonds-Préville to convert it to a distillery and make rum under his initials, Rhum J.M.
1914
After some financial difficulties, the distillery is bought by the Crassous de Médeuil family. The two neighboring estates (Fonds-Préville and Bellevue) are united to compose one 400 hectare (nearly 1000 acres) plantation.
2002
Group Bernard Hayot acquires the Rhum J.M distillery and trademark to re-invest in the brand and the property to preserve its status as one of the finest rum brands in the world.
2016
Extensive lengths were taken to convert to a no-waste distillery including a no-exhaust boiler, conversion to 100% reuse of bagasse, and massive lily ponds to neutralize all water waste.
