Père Labat
Père Labat is a renowned rhum agricole brand crafted by Distillerie Poisson on the island of Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe. The distillery is celebrated for its commitment to artisanal production, multi-generational expertise, and a deep respect for local terroir and traditional cane farming. Each bottle of Père Labat captures the essence of Marie-Galante’s unique landscape and rum heritage.
Production & Raw Materials
Sugar cane is meticulously hand-cut, with four local varieties—red, white, blue, and gray—cultivated both on the estate and by neighboring growers. This diversity of cane imparts distinctive aromatic and mineral nuances to the final distillate.
Cane is pressed within hours of harvest to preserve its freshness and aromatic intensity. Fermentation lasts approximately 72 hours, a relatively lengthy period that encourages the development of complex, layered flavors and a vibrant agricole character.
Distillation is carried out on two Creole column stills, each featuring a distinctive setup of 11 stripping plates and 4 rectifying plates. The resulting spirit is collected at a robust 69–71% ABV, preserving the bold aromas and flavors intrinsic to Marie-Galante agricole rums.
Variants & Styles
White / Blanc Agricole: Signature bottlings such as Père Labat 59° (unaged) and the 40° blanc deliver a bright, energetic profile with pronounced minerality, grassy and vegetal notes, and an intense cane-forward character. These vibrant whites are highly regarded for their clarity and mixability in classic Ti' Punch and other cocktails.
Aged / Amber / Gold / “L’Or 45°”: Matured for approximately three years or more in oak barrels, these expressions balance rounded woodiness, subtle spice, and layers of dried and fresh fruit. They maintain the hallmark freshness and vibrancy of agricole rum while gaining depth and smoothness from barrel aging.
Vieux / Hors d’Âge / Réserve Familiale: These exceptional rums undergo extended aging, developing remarkable complexity, deeper oak integration, and rich notes of dark fruit, spice, and toasted wood. The result is a refined, contemplative spirit for sipping and special occasions.
Terroir & Character
The distillery’s location on Marie-Galante—a small island with limestone soils, abundant rainfall, and entirely natural growing conditions (no artificial irrigation)—contributes to Père Labat’s renowned minerality, crystalline clarity, and exceptional cane intensity.
Distillerie Poisson operates on a small, artisanal scale, favoring authenticity and craftsmanship over industrial volume. This limited production approach ensures that every batch of Père Labat rum retains its genuine character and sense of place.
Tasting Profile
White rums: Expect vibrant notes of fresh sugar cane, grassy and vegetal aromas, zesty citrus, white pepper, and a pronounced mineral clarity. The overall profile is lively, pure, and intensely expressive of Marie-Galante terroir.
Aged/Gold rums: These rums reveal inviting flavors of vanilla, toasted oak, gentle spices, and both dried and fresh fruit. While barrel aging brings smoothness and complexity, the underlying agricole soul—characterized by freshness and vibrancy—remains ever present.
