In Barbados, the situation seems to be under control. ‘We have seen a very good harvest this year, with high-quality molasses, which is an encouraging sign for the future. Coming from a sugar cane harvest that was both abundant and rich, this year’s molasses is distinguished by its remarkable concentration of sugar and aromas,’ says Antoine Couvreur, who runs Mount Gay.
A few years ago, the world’s oldest rum brand even launched a range of 100% estate-grown rums, the Single Estate Series, which has been a real success in terms of taste. “This project embodies the culmination of our terroir approach: it allows you to taste what we consider to be one of the oldest terroirs in the world for rum. It’s a real rarity and a tribute to the agricultural and historical richness of Barbados,” says Antoine Couvreur.
However, despite this encouraging news, Barbados, like Jamaica, is struggling to be self-sufficient in molasses. Both islands therefore have to import it from elsewhere in the Caribbean. In Jamaica, as in Barbados, trials are being carried out to produce pure cane juice rums, just in case…