Rhum Barbancourt Réserve du Domaine from Haiti
Robert A. & Robert V. Burr, Rum Examiner

Among the finest aged rhums from Haiti, the 15 year old Barbancourt Réserve du Domaine is the signature spirit of a prominent Caribbean family.

In 1862, Dupré Barbancourt, a native of Charente in France, developed a recipe for rhum that still bears his name today. Using the French double distillation method usually reserved for the very finest cognacs, he created a unique product that faithfully reflects the terroir of his region.

Mr. Barbancourt married Nathalie Gardère and the company continues to be run by the Gardère family to this day. Entrepreneur and visionary, Jean Gardère was the instigator of Rhum Barbancourt's modernization. In 1949, he decided to relocate the distillery to the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac on l'Habitation Mouline, near Damien, where it is located to this day.

In addition to the legendary Réserve du Domain 15 year old rhum at 86 proof, the company also produces Estate Réserve 15 year old for the U.S. market, Special Réserve (five star) eight year old, Rhum Barbancourt (three star) four year old, plus a white rhum.

Rhum Barbancourt Reserve du Domain is considered by some experts to be the gold standard for rich, long-aged, cognac-like rhums. Distilled from cane juice, it is produced only during the cane harvest season, then aged in limousin oak vats.

This exquisite rhum is at home in a snifter as well as neat or on the rocks, with a rich viscosity and deep amber color. Like its Rhum Agricole cousins from Martinique, this full-bodied and full-flavored rhum contains more cane flavor that many molasses-based spirits.

The lablel contains a small figure of a woman dressed in a light blue dress holding a signum before a blue star, said by some to be a voodoo princess