Masterclasses – Monday 15 April 2025

11h00 – TROIS RIVIÈRES

By Daniel Baudin and Jean-Philippe Lardy. Daniel Baudin is the guardian of Trois Rivières’ savoir-faire. Since 1991, Daniel Baudin has been the creative force behind each of the house’s rums. His virtuosity in barrel selection and ageing techniques make him one of the world’s greatest cellar masters. Jean Philippe Lardy is the rum expert on the Trois Rivières brand.

Trois Rivières is a pioneering brand in the creation of the Triple Millésime series. Under the expertise of Cellar Master Daniel Baudin, it perfectly illustrates the expression of the Trois Rivières terroir and the art of ageing through a varied selection of oak casks with different toast. This historic, award-winning series bears witness to the House’s unique expertise.

For the first time, the entire collection, from the first to the sixth and final edition, will be on show, and some of them will be available for tasting. Through this collection covering more than twenty years of vintages, Trois Rivières is unveiling an exceptional ensemble, highlighting Daniel Baudin’s hand-crafted approach and meticulous work.

To taste: Triple Millésime V1, Triple Millésime V3, Triple Millésime V6

11h30 -Saint James

CULT(UR)E RHUM FOR 260 YEARS

By Marc Sassier,Oenologist, Production Director of Rhums Martiniquais Saint James. President of the Syndicat des Rhums AOC Martinique et des Rhums français.

The world leader in pure cane agricultural rums, Saint James is celebrating its 260th anniversary this year. A marvellous example of longevity while preserving its know-how and exploring new facets of expression. Come and immerse yourself in the world of this iconic rum brand!

To taste: Double Cask, Single Cask 2003, Nectar du Maître de Chai

12h00 – BOLOGNE

By François-Xavier Sobczak, Bologne’s cellar master has a rich and varied experience in the world of spirits. Having travelled the world of calvados, whisky and other rums, he joins the Bologne team, bringing his creative and daring vision.

The richness of Bologna products is based not only on the natural elements of our farmland, but also on technical and human choices designed to extract excellence. This year, we invite you once again to plunge into the heart of our fermentation workshops, where diversification comes to life. Through the creation of new identities and the enrichment of sensory profiles, you will discover how science and an ounce of audacity attempt to control natural hazards to guarantee our quality standards.

Tasting: Black Cane destructured, Experimental, original…

12h30 – RIVIÈRE DU MÂT

CREATOR OF THE GREAT RUMS OF REUNION

By Teddy Boyer, Director of the Distillerie Rivière du Mât and Christian Vergier, Oenologist and Consultant.

Rivière du Mât is the leading producer of Old Reunion Island rums on the island and in France, and boasts the largest cellar with 9,000 barrels, enabling it to offer a wide range of expressions. Awarded for its quality in the most prestigious competitions, the Distillery is the perfect embodiment of the expertise of the Grands Rhums de la Réunion. A creator at heart, it invites all lovers of generous island rums to explore the many flavours of its unique volcanic terroir.

To taste: Finish Ex Whisky, 15 years, Single Cask 2004

13h00 – IMMERSION IN POLYNESIA

In the presence of Manutea Parent, Sébastien Thépenier & Emmanuel Huot

Welcome to French Polynesia. Born of a series of underwater volcanic eruptions several million years ago, the Polynesian islands were virgin before being colonised over time by plants and then by man.

Sugar cane, one of the most widely cultivated plants in the world, originated in Papua New Guinea. The Polynesians were one of the first peoples to domesticate it, bringing it with them from West to East as they discovered the islands of the Pacific.

13h30 – WOMEN LEADING RUM

NOTES OF ELEGANCE: WOMEN BEHIND THE SPIRIT

By Larissa Arjona, President of the Women Leading Rum association. She is committed on a daily basis to empowering women in the industry.

Join us for an exclusive tasting experience that celebrates the art and expertise of women in the world of rum. From the meticulous art of blending to the creation of a refined organoleptic profile, discover how female mastery shapes every sip. During a guided tasting, you’ll explore the sophistication, balance and character that define an exceptional rum. Don’t miss this unique journey into the elegance behind the spirit.

14h00 – MANA’O

By Manutea Parent and Sébastien Thépenier. Manutea Parent is responsible for the Mana’o rum sector. He manages relations with sugarcane growers, as well as the production, quality and blending of rums. Manutea also runs the Avatea distillery in Paea, Tahiti. Sébastien Thépenier is in charge of wine and rum production on Rangiroa atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago in French Polynesia. He cultivates 5 hectares of free-standing vines at Domaine Dominique Auroy for the Vins de Tahiti brand and 3.5 hectares of sugar cane for the Mana’o brand.

It was on the atoll of Rangiroa, in the Tuamotu archipelago, that the first organic pure sugarcane juice rum was born in 2017. It is also in the semi-darkness of the Vins de Tahiti cellar that Mana’o pure juice rums are aged in ex-Cognac and Armagnac casks, as well as in new casks and 320-litre amphoras.

To taste: Mana’o Rhum ESB Bio, Mana’o Rhum vieux Bio, Mana’o Rangiroa, Mana’o Amphore Bio

14h30 – COMPAGNIE DES INDES

A NEW RANGE FOR COMPAGNIE DES INDES

By Florent Beuchet, founder and master blender of the Compagnie des Indes. Passionate about the world of rum, he combines creativity and innovation to create rums of remarkable quality and character.

To mark its tenth anniversary, Compagnie des Indes, the pioneer of independent French bottling, is reinventing itself. New permanent blends, bold limited editions, redesigned packaging… Take a sneak preview of the brand new Compagnie des Indes range and immerse yourself in its unique universe with its founder and Master Blender, Florent Beuchet!

To taste: Sirène, Jamaica, Ecume , Boulet de Canon N°15

15h00 – Baie des Trésors

By Stéphane Gouyer, cellar master at Baie des Trésors. He took over the management of Exploitation Agricole du Galion in 2013. An agricultural engineer by training, he trained to become a cellar master and created the first Baie des Trésors rums in 2019. His approach, unique in Martinique, gives Baie des Trésors rums a very special identity; each rum is the pure expression of a terroir and a year of production.

Baie des Trésors is a brand renowned for its parcel-based, vintage approach to Martinique’s agricultural rums. This philosophy is reflected in its vintages, which highlight the contrasts between the wet and dry plots of land on the Caravelle peninsula.

This masterclass will be an opportunity to discover the two emblematic old rums in the range: Karakoli and the brand new Brin d’Amour. Aged in French and American oak casks, these aged rums develop exceptional aromatic richness and a unique character.

To taste: Baie des Trésors Karakoli, Baie des Trésors Brin d’amour

15h30 – PLANTERAY

THE SECRETS OF THE ROYAL NAVY RUM

By Alexandre Gabriel, owner and world-renowned Master Blender of Maison Ferrand in Cognac and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados. He has been shaping the art of rum since 1989 with passion and innovation.

Alexandre Gabriel invites you to an in-depth exploration of the 300-year tradition of Royal Navy Rum. This masterclass will immerse you in the techniques that have shaped these iconic rums, from blending methods to the subtleties of maturation.
You’ll have the chance to taste Plantation Mister Fogg Navy Rum Sail N°1, a 2024 edition that’s already sold out, as well as an exclusive preview of the 2025 blend. Alexandre will deconstruct this new blend, detailing the characteristics of each component and their influence on the final balance.

This privileged moment will give you a better understanding of the work behind the selection of the rums and a foretaste of Sail N°2 before its launch in July. A unique immersion in the world of rum and its expertise.

Tasting: Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum Sail N°1 , Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum Sail N°2 + blending component

16h00 – CHATEL

By Fabrice Joanny, Fabrice is Sales Director for France at Terroirs Distillers Artisanal Brands, the exclusive distributor of the Chatel brand in metropolitan France. Fabrice has been working with spirits industry professionals for almost twenty years.

A veritable institution on Reunion Island, Maison Chatel specialises in the production of creative, gourmet rum-based spirits of the highest quality. Renowned for its arrangés and punches, it is now launching a new range designed especially for professionals in the on-trade. Intensely flavoured, this range makes it possible to create both classic and original cocktails, adding a unique and original touch. Join our masterclass and discover these new products and their drink strategy!

Tasting: Coco spirit, Barman Collection Lime , Barman Collection Spiced

16h30 – DISTILLERIE BONNE-MÈRE

THE TREASURE OF GUADELOUPE

By Julien Picot, Director of the Distillerie Bonne-Mère and Marc Sassier, Consultant for the Distillery.

A distillery since 1863, Bonne-Mère has kept an extraordinary reserve of very old traditional rums under wraps. The launch in 2024 of its new range of old rums in its native land has revealed the art of distilling and ageing exceptional rums.

To taste: VO, VSOP, XO