The La Favorite distillery, built in 1842, originally employed a water wheel to power the cane-crushing mills, the first step in sugar production. At that time the estate included two sugar refineries and a small rum distillery with five fermentation vats, a small boiler and copper pot still. Bankruptcy in 1875, followed by the hurricane of 1891 closed the estate until 1909 when Henri Dormoy purchased the property. Dormoy built a railway through the plantation to transport fresh cane from the surrounding countryside to the distillery where he installed a new distillation column and steam engine.
During World War I the new distillery produced alcohol used in explosives manufacture. In 1920, Henri Dormoy built the Chateau de La Favorite, and launched La Favorite rhum in France. Following his death in 1938, André Dormoy steered the growing company as head of the family business. Today, Paul Dormoy is the third generation to continue the tradition of quality on which his grandfather rebuilt this historic estate. In 2004, an additional copper distillation column was installed to increase quality production. Aging capacity has also been increased to meet the growing demand for artisan rhum agricole from small family distilleries where quality is the key to success in a competitive market place.
La Favorite Rhum Agricole Blanc Coeur de Canne, the heart of the spirit, 50% abv, - smooth aroma accented by tropical florals, the body is rich in citrus and pear notes followed by a citrus and sugar cane finish.
La Favorite Rhum Agricole Ambré, 50% abv, - golden color gained from more than a year in large oak vats, or foudres de chêne. The aroma is tinted by fresh wood which carries to the woody body followed by rich tannins in the finish.
La Favorite Rhum Agricole Vieux, 40%, blended from stocks of rhum aged in American and French oak barrels more than three years. Dark brown color reflects a reddish hue. The aroma carries hints of prune, and smoky wood leading to a balanced prune, fig, cinnamon and nutmeg body accented with licorice in the finish.
From only 40 hectares of sugar cane fields located on what is known as the Habitation Thieubert, near the coastal town of Carbet, only about 400,000 liters of Rhum Neisson are produced annually.
In keeping with his grandfather’s secrets for making superior rhum, Grégory continues to use only sugar cane harvested manually from the fields surrounding the distillery. Chemicals pesticides are not used and the fiels are never burnt before the cane is harvested. The slow, three-day fermentation is an integral part of making Neisson rhum as is the specially-designed, copper, Savalle-type distillation column.
Neisson Rhum Agricole Blanc, bottled at 50°, is rich in freshly-cut sugar cane aroma. The taste of this white rhum agricole is dominated by sugar cane with liberal citrus fruit and tropical floral notes. Although unaged, this clear rhum is allowed to rest for three months before it is bottled at the distillery.
Neisson Rhum Agricole Élevé Sous Bois, also bottled at 50°, has a golden color acquired during the 18 months spent in 20,000 liter new French oak vats. Like the Neisson Rhum Blanc, the aroma of Élevé Sous Bois conveys the richness of the sugar cane with a subtle vanilla and cinnamon spice note.
Neisson Rhum Agricole Vieux Réserve Specialé , 42 abv, is a blend of rhums aged up to ten years in French and American oak barrels at the distillery warehouse. The premium rhum imported from Neisson; the taste of Réserve Specialé is characterized by a rare combination of rich dark fruit and roasted nuts, followed by a balanced smoky oak and vanilla body and hints of spice in the lingering aftertaste.
