Paris, France — It was one of the highlights of April in Paris and a run-up to Earth Day as the house of Rhum J.M, producer of fine rums from the island of Martinique, launched its sustainable development program through its EDDEN project at La Créole, a Montparnasse institution and one of the best Caribbean restaurants in Paris. EDDEN is the French acronym for committed to the sustainable development of our eco-systems and our natural world. The house produces some of the world’s finest rum distilled from sugar cane grown in volcanic soil and surrounded by the luxuriant vegetation of the French island of Martinique. It has been done like that for over 200 years and the house and its employees cherish the unique biodiversity of their very own Garden of Eden.

In this corner of paradise, surrounded by a jungle, hidden at the base of the Pelée mountain, emerges a distillery committed to sustainable development and the circular economy because sustainable and sustainable alone is the only thing that will enable them to perpetuate their traditions. Perhaps the best sugar cane in the world grows in this good earth drenched by tropical rains and kissed by the Trade Winds. The house of Rhum J. M maintains the fertility of its soils through crop rotations of bananas and sugar cane and placing fields in fallow.

Meanwhile at the distillery, the circular economy is hard at work as the organic waste from the sugar cane is used to fire the eco-efficient furnace as well as producing electricity for the island. The house produces an organic compost from the sugar cane as well known as la bagasse, to limit the use of chemical fertilizers. The idea is simple to maintain the excellent growing and distilling methods in a sustainable way to continue making one of the finest old rums on the market.

Fine rums from the house of Rhum J.M. Photos courtesy Rhum J.M, handout via The Gourmet Gazette. Photo Right ©Dan Beal

« At Rhum J.M, we produce a rum for which we strive for excellence. And our idea of excellence goes beyond taste. The fans of our rums must be assured that behind every one of our bottles the men and the women passionate about the product have given a meaning to this excellence, » said Emmanuel Becheau, the director of Rhum J.M, « by preserving the eco-system, by enhancing the raw material, by transmitting the ancestral gestures and secrets of our know-how, and in sharing the love and savor of a unique product. »

The house partners with a local initiative, PeYivert that plants, massively, trees to boost the local biodiversity and is a member of the Global Compact of the United Nations whose members are committed to respecting human rights, worker’s rights, the environment and the fight against corruption. The distillery has been welcoming visitors for guided tours since 2016.
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
Additional reporting by Sylvain Loire
http://www.rhum-jm-la-distillerie.com/
https://la-creole.fr/