Distillery
Damoiseau
Damoiseau is a historic rhum agricole distillery based at Habitation Bellevue, Le Moule (Grande‑Terre, Guadeloupe). The Damoiseau family has produced, across generations, rhum blancs, aged rhums and a range of arrangés and rum-based liqueurs.
- Le Moule · Grande‑Terre (Guadeloupe) · Guadeloupe (French overseas department)
- Since 1942
- 37 products
The story
The Bellevue estate was acquired by the Damoiseau family in 1942 when Roger Damoiseau took over the site. Over generations the business shifted from small-scale farming and jam production to a focused production of rhum agricole. Management passed to subsequent generations (including Roger's children, later Hervé and Jean‑Luc Damoiseau), who modernized the facilities, expanded the cellars and developed an international commercial presence while maintaining the supply chain tied to locally grown cane.
Production philosophy
To showcase the local terroir and the pure cane juice (vesou) through artisanal-industrial practices: controlled processing and fermentation, careful distillation and targeted ageing to highlight distinctive aromatic profiles. Strong family roots and a commitment to the product quality typical of Guadeloupe.
Territory
Habitation Bellevue, Le Moule (Grande‑Terre), Guadeloupe — French overseas department. The distillery is historically linked to the pedoclimatic conditions of Grande‑Terre that favour cultivation of the local sugar cane.
Awards and recognition
Multiple recognitions at national and international competitions; among the awards cited by the house are medals at the Concours Général Agricole in Paris (for example a gold medal for the Rhum Blanc 50°) and mentions at international events such as Global Travel Retail Spirits Masters, Rhum Fest and Barcelona Rum Awards.
Production method
Production of rhum agricole from pur jus de canne (vesou): mechanical cane harvesting, defibration with a shredder, pressing on a battery of roller mills, fermentation (mainly using the 'fond de cuve' method), column distillation (double-effect columns), resting and dilution with osmotized water; some products undergo finishing in foudres or ageing in oak barrels.
Distillation
Column distillation (double-effect columns); distillation of the vesou for rhum agricole, produced at about 80–89° before dilution.
Ageing
Finishing in oak foudres for bonifiés (white rhums) and ageing in oak barrels/casks (including ex-bourbon barrels) for rhum vieux; some vintages are finished in casks for multiple years.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Le Moule
- Categories
- rhum agricole
- high-strength white rums
- aged rums
- arrangés and rum liqueurs
- family-run spirits producer
- Raw materials
- sugar cane (vesou)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- ex-bourbon oak barrels (180–220 L)
- oak foudres (for finishing)
- Representative products
- Blanc 50 (Rhum blanc agricole 50°)
- Vieux V.O (Rhum vieux 3 anni, 42°)
- Shrubb (liqueur a base di rhum)
- Les Arrangés — Victoria Pineapple, Coconut, Mango & Passion, Guava, Orange
- Millésime 1995 Brut de fût
- Punch Passion Fruit (liqueur/punch)
What makes it distinctive
- Historic producer of rhum agricole at Habitation Bellevue in Le Moule (established by the Damoiseau family in 1942).
- Comprehensive range: high-strength white rhums, aged rhums, arrangés and rum-based liqueurs.
- Documented production method: use of vesou, controlled fermentation (mainly 'fond de cuve') and column distillation with double-effect columns.
- Ageing performed in ex-bourbon oak barrels and finishing in foudres; presence of millésime cuvées (e.g. Millésime 1995).
- Family-run company with an international commercial presence and numerous gastronomic awards.
