Montebello
Montebello is a distinguished rhum agricole brand crafted by Distillerie Carrère in Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe. With a lineage tracing back to 1930, Montebello has built its reputation on traditional craftsmanship, artisanal attention to detail, and a passionate expression of Guadeloupean terroir. Today, it stands as one of the island’s most respected and sought-after agricole producers.
Key production features and philosophy:
Sugar cane is hand-harvested from volcanic-rich soils across Petit-Bourg, Goyave, Basse-Terre, Lamentin, and Sainte-Rose. These microclimates lend distinctive mineral and aromatic qualities to the cane, underpinning Montebello’s unique flavor profile.
Montebello remains one of the few Caribbean distilleries to utilize a steam-engine-powered cane-crushing system. This heritage machinery preserves traditional extraction methods, resulting in cane juice that retains remarkable freshness and complexity.
Fermentation is notably long—about 48–52 hours—significantly exceeding the norm for many agricoles. This slow fermentation encourages the development of layered, aromatic profiles that set Montebello apart from its peers.
Aging occurs under tropical conditions in carefully selected oak barrels, predominantly ex-bourbon American oak, for many of our aged releases. Special finishes, such as brut de fût (cask strength), single casks, and unique barrel types, contribute further depth and diversity to the lineup.
Expressions / Key Products:
White / Unaged Agricole: Montebello offers a variety of white agricoles, ranging from 50% to an impressive 76% ABV. These high-proof expressions are celebrated for their intensity, purity, and ability to showcase the raw character of fresh cane.
Aged / Vieux Agricole: The aged range includes 3-year, 6-year, 8-year, and older vintage bottlings, some of which are released as single casks or limited editions. These rums are matured in oak to develop rich, complex profiles while retaining the vibrancy of agricole.
.Special / Vintage Bottlings: Montebello’s special releases, such as the 23-year-old 1998 edition, cask-finished variants, and rare brut de fût bottlings, appeal to collectors and connoisseurs seeking exceptional depth and individuality.
Flavor / Tasting Profile:
Younger and white agricoles: Expect vibrant notes of fresh sugar cane, grassy and vegetal undertones, bright citrus zest, and lime, with occasional creamy or buttery textures. These expressions are renowned for their freshness and mixability.
Aged expressions: Display richer layers of oak, dried and candied fruits, toasted wood, vanilla, citrus, and subtle floral notes. The 8-year Montebello, in particular, stands out for its harmonious balance of spice, wood, fruit, and a refined, lingering finish.
Heritage & Branding:
Montebello has been family-owned and operated by the Marsolle family since 1966, when Jean Marsolle acquired the distillery. Now in its fourth generation, with Grégory and Dominique Marsolle at the helm, the distillery remains deeply committed to preserving tradition while embracing thoughtful innovation.
The distillery places strong emphasis on quality, authentic terroir expression, and the preservation of traditional methods—such as steam-engine crushing and hand-harvesting—while integrating modern quality control and expanding its international reputation. Montebello is recognized as a standard-bearer for Guadeloupe’s finest agricole rums.
