Rhum JM vs Depaz Blue Cane

[JMac]

Hello All,

I'm a new member to this forum but long time rum lover living in BC, Canada. I've reviewed the Ministry of Rum before when seeking answers or reviews about rum however this is the first time I've joined the forum. So once again I'm turning to the forum because I need some advice/opinion re the above rhums.

I'm going to the US (Arkansas) in a couple of months and would like to purchase rhum agricole but only have two choices: Rhum JM Eleve Sous Bois or Depaz Blue cane rhum. The choices are limited due to the fact that the majority of online liquor stores will not ship to Arkansas. One liquor store will according to their site but only have Rhum JM and Depaz Blue Cane.

Any thoughts or suggestions???

[Hank Koestner]

I would buy them both if you like rhum agricole. The Depaz Blue Cane is very unique in flavor and nose, you may find it actually has a hint of a Tequila in the fragrance. The JM is nutty and floral, not as grassy as a white rhum agricole. Both make great Ti Punches.

[JMac]

Hi Hank, thanks for the advice. Obviously you have tried them both.

I like rhum agricole as I have purchased some before, namely La Mauny and Trois Riviere from www.rhumdemartinque.com but the cost of getting it to Canada is prohibitive.

As for Depaz Blue Cane....that carries the AOC label and is distilled and bottled in Martinique??

[angelsword]

Of those 2, I prefer the Rhum JM Eleve Sous Bois. Maybe that's because its nutty taste is closer to my personality, being a mad scientist. ;)

[Tiare]

As for Depaz Blue Cane....that carries the AOC label and is distilled and bottled in Martinique??

Its made at the Depaz rhum estate on Martinique and as far as i know..(correct me here someone if i`m wrong) all the rums marked with the AOC are distilled and bottled in Martinique.

I would get both of them if possible.

[JMac]

Thanks for all the input...I'll get a couple of each to last a bit.

I was wondering about the AOC on Depaz as I noticed the bottles sold in the US do not have it clearly displayed whereas the bottles sold in Martinique have it prominently displayed.

Tiare, I've read some of your other posts and I noticed that you live in Europe. I've found Europe, especially Germany, to be a great source for rum. Its just so expensive to get it to Canada. Here are some sites that might interest you:

http://www.spirituosen-grosshandel.de/Home_English.html.
http://www.jahreis.de/rum/_rumshops.htm.

[Tiare]

Thanks for the links!
Yes there are a great source of rums in Germany as well as in Italy, the only problem is the high shipping cost.........
From Germany its usually 20 euro for 1-6 bottles and from Italy about 12 euro per bottle.I donґt buy much in my own country though due to the extremely poor selection and high prices.

[Hank Koestner]

I can only assume that they change the Depaz label for the U.S. market.
I does say distilled and bottled at Depaz.

[Tiare]

Ed`s thread in this same section "What you should know about RHUM AGRICOLE" explains about the AOC label.

[Dood]

*reads that Germany is a great place to buy rum*

*orders a new suitcase for his Oktoberfest trip*

[RumBarPhilly]

I spoke with Ben Jones of Clement, and if I remember correctly (although I am probably mistaken, as I was 15 rums in), he told us that to be AOC designated, you have to use a certain breed of cane. Depaz uses blue cane which is very marketable but lies beyong the boundaries of AOC designation.

[Tiare]

*reads that Germany is a great place to buy rum*

*orders a new suitcase for his Oktoberfest trip*

Dood, get two..just in case..and let one of them take a circle route passing through by me so i can resposibly examine the contents to make sure its worthy.

[JMac]

hmmmm....interesting about blue cane and AOC.

My concern stems from when I bought a bottle of Clements Vieux in 2004 while visiting family in the US. It was good but not as full flavored as I expected. Flash forward to 2006 when I was in Castries, St Lucia. I found this great little rum shop by the cruise ship terminal. They had the same Clement Vieux but the bottle labeling was different. I bought it anyway and that Clement was much more to my liking and expectations.

[Tiare]

hmmmm....interesting about blue cane and AOC.

I really agree,here is a link to read about Depaz blue cane:
http://www.depazrhum.com/rhum_redefined.html

[RumBarPhilly]

I really agree,here is a link to read about Depaz blue cane:
http://www.depazrhum.com/rhum_redefined.html

i stand humbled and mistaken. :o

[RobertBurr]

Depaz uses blue cane which is very marketable but lies beyond the boundaries of AOC designation.

I understand that blue cane is one of twelve legitimate types of cane for AOC in Martinique. The Depaz web site (http://www.depazrhum.com/rhum_redefined.html) has more information.

Depaz Blue Cane Amber Rhum is estate produced in limited quantities and proudly holds the enviable French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrфlйe) designation, confirming its strict adherence to precise standards of excellence. The Depaz Estate history can be traced back to 1651 when it was established by the premier governor Jacques Duparquet.

[JMac]

I checked and blue cane is acceptable under AOC as well as red cane, go figure.

While we're on the topic of AOC designations; I've noticed that rhum agricole from Guadeloupe, Marie Gallant, and Reunion do not have the AOC label on their rhums. I was under the impression that that was mandatory if they were going to sell their rhum as 'rhum agricole'.

I take it that isn't the case???

[RobertBurr]

It's still rhum agricole if it's made from fresh cane juice in Guadeloupe and the other French territory islands, but only Martinique has a certification as to all the parameters of production which earns the official AOC designation.

The other islands could go through the process of getting their own certification, but it takes a critical mass of distillers a very long time and all operators to agree on all the specifications and finally -- agree to adhere to them. At that point the strict standards have meaning and add value.

[JMac]

Well if distillers area as temperamental as some chefs I know; a common agreement would be a huge challenge.

Although having a designation similar to AOC would make a good marketing tactic for their rhums to gain recognition and attract a larger audience.

Is there a big difference between rhum agricole from Martinique as opposed to Guadeloupe or Marie Gallante?