OFFERING BARBANCOURT RHUM FEATURES MEANS SUPPORT FOR HAITIAN ECONOMY

HAITI HAS RICH RUM HISTORY

One of Haiti’s abundant resources is the quality sugarcane that grows in the fields of the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, and indirectly that sugarcane creates 20,000 jobs in the region. Since 1862, the rhums distilled by the company Societe du Rhum Barbancourt have been a source of great pride and revenue to many families. While the “damage to the distillery was very light,” Jim Nikola senior VP of Crillon Importers, says almost every one of the 250 distillery employees lost their homes in the quake. “They’ve lost everything, and they are doing all they can to support each other”, added Nikola. Everyone knows the sale of Haitian Rhums will help bring awareness and revenue back to the island but Barbancourt must assess its operations and deal with the issue of how to transport their products in light of the massive damage to Haiti’s largest working port. “I am optimistic that Rhum Barbancourt will resume shipment as soon as Haiti’s major port, Port-au-Prince, is more fully operational,” said Nikola.

Originated by French settler Dupre Barbancourt, all their Rhums are still made directly from sugar cane juice, pressed from hand-cut, locally grown cane. Barbancourt passed the business to his wife Natalie Gardere, and it is still operated by members of the Gardere family outside of Port au Prince.