The Habitation J.M is a distillery located in the municipality of Macouba. Open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, the tasting and the visit are free.

  

In terms of time, starting from Fort-de-France, the road of Balata is the fastest to reach the North Atlantic of the island but the road is more sporty (bends, descents, climbs). Take your time, it is useless to run, you have to go to the point and come to term. You will have the comfort after the effort at the end of  the way.

Arriving on the road between Basse-Pointe and Macouba (D10), you will see a sign of the Habitation J.M telling you when to turn

 

Take on your left; the road will take you directly to the JM Habitation 

At the end of the road, the road becomes bumpier with many stones but you will arrive very quickly on the car park where you will not have difficulties to find a place

Go towards the bridge to join the entrance to the Habitation.

Take on your right after the bridge to head to the distillery shop. You will already have pretty pictures to make, between the luxuriant vegetation, the architecture of the buildings and the river skirting the field

Access is easy; ramps for disabled people have been developed at the distillery shop.

Enter the shop; you will be greeted by hostesses who also take care of the tasting at the bar that you can see on your right. First of all, take the opportunity to visit the estate, which will only take about 20 minutes.

A lot of information on the history of the J.M Habitation will be detailed in the first room where you are. You can also refresh yourself before the visit and taste the sourcing used to produce this AOC certified agricultural rum (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée).

A little history…….

In the 19th century, many rum distilleries were mainly sugarhouses. They distilled their rum from molasses resulting from the manufacture of sugar. The rise of the invention of the steam engine and its adoption in sugarhouses will intensify and concentrate sugar production in large factories. The isolated dwellings will then concentrate exclusively on the production of agricultural rum, improved by the adoption of the European imported tray column replacing the still. After 1960, the closure of most sugarhouses put an end to the production of industrial rum. The agricultural rum takes place with these flavors and its soil, making it rum recognized throughout the world. Having left the nine distilleries still steaming, Habitation J.M remained an artisanal distillery.

The name of this rum was given in 1845 by Jean-Marie Martin (photo of his portrait above). In 1914, the quality of this rum was developed by the family Crassous de Medeuil that makes it famous today.

In 1790, the Habitation Fonds Préville in Macouba was bought by Antoine Leroux-Préville who gave him his name. Macouba was renowned since the 17th century for its tobacco.

The Brand JM was born in 1845, created by Jean-Marie Martin (1799-1868) who bought the sugar factory Fonds-Préville, then founded a distillery and sold his rum under the brand J.M.

In 1914, Habitation Bellevue, Fonds Préville and the distillery J.M are united, now owned by Gustave Crassous de Médeuil (1876-1920).

In 1945, installation of the Corliss steam engine that operated until 2012, an industrial heritage that remains in the distillery

In 1980, Construction of a cellar ageing followed by a second in 1995.

1996, rum J.M obtains the appellation agricultural rum of Martinique controlled

2013, electric mills replace the steam mills. A complete renovation of the site is undertaken, both to modernize the production tool and to create a new experience for visitors.

After this history lesson, borrow the door to go out. Walk along the gate and turn right towards the cane.

You are in the middle of the cane garden; many varieties used for the production of rum are exposed. You will also observe that you have access to interactive benches and a detailed diagram of how cane synthesizes sugar.

Continue the visit by retracing your steps and taking the stairs (arrows in red on the wall will show you the way). This staircase takes you near the mills that grind the fresh cane then the path continues to the fermentation tanks. Take the opportunity to smell the cane freshly crushed or fermented. These smells will make you drunk.

After passing the vats, take the stairs on your left to head to the cooperage. You will see the tools used and the effect of rum aging in the barrels. Approach your nose to feel the part of the angels that can possibly be anchored in the wood whose tannin has been caramelized by fire. The burning of barrels is a tradition that only J.M still practices.

Continue the visit by pointing to the cellars. Unfortunately during my visit, it was undergoing renovation. However, you can see that nearby there is a beautiful botanical garden. Take the stairs just after the platform that serves as a scale for trucks.

Here you are in the botanical garden, this path takes you into many plant species that you can easily identify through information panels nearby. The path crosses the garden and runs along an artificial pond.

Keep going straight ahead to arrive at a row of barrels right next to the laboratory.

Take on your left and enter the room. This room serves as an olfactory workshop for any visitor wishing to discover the olfactory notes of rum J.M.

Feel the smells of white rum and old-aged rum. Discover the flavors and try to identify them using the small sheets that will be available in front of each vial. You also have counters on your right to smell tobacco, spice bouquet that you will also have the opportunity to find during your tastings. Inhale and revel in different smells that will put your palate in the mouth for tasting.

Take on your right and here you are at the end point of your visit. The best part for some of you, J.M. rum tasting.

Personally, the old rum of 2004 left me an excellent taste memory and the bottle of white rum “Jungle” (limited edition) is one of the best white I had the opportunity to taste in small punch. Do not hesitate to browse their website to learn about the different rum made by Habitation J.M.

o not hesitate to post you commentaries or to ask for information on contact@domloisirsetculture.fr.

Subscribe on our page on Facebook, where you will discover a new article or video every week.

Dom Loisirs et Culture at your service.

OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide

The Dom Loisirs and Culture team is committed to raising awareness of the protection of the biodiversity of the overseas departments.