Neisson is a highly-regarded, award-winning brand of rum produced in Martinique belonging to the rhum agricole category, so made from fresh, raw sugar cane juice rather than the more commonly used molasses. See molasses and sugar cane. Neisson rums are also among the rums of Martinique that are designated as an appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) product, just like champagne and cognac. To earn this AOC designation, Neisson rums must adhere to government regulations surrounding the harvest and pressing of the sugar cane, the fermentation of the sugar-cane juice, and the distillation of the cane. AOC Martinique rhum agricole must be distilled using a single-column still.
Established in 1931, Neisson is the last existing Martinique distillery to have been founded by a person of African descent. The distillery and its brand continue to be independent and family-run, with the founder’s daughter Claudine Neisson Vernant (1942–), formerly a medical doctor and AIDS researcher, and grandson Grégory Vernant in charge. Hand-cut sugar cane is pressed and the juice fermented for three days prior to being distilled in a single-column copper still to create various products, which include: Rhum Agricole Blanc (unaged rum available at 100- and 105-proof bottlings, as well as a 140-proof product called L’Esprit), Rhum Élevé Sous Bois (aged eighteen months in French Oak), Rhum Réserve Spéciale (aged up to ten years in new French oak and used bourbon and whisky barrels), and special releases of longer-aged products such as their 15 Year and 18 Year.
Neisson rum is often called for by the locals of Martinique by the nickname “Zépol Karé,” which is Creole for “square shoulders,” after the unique shape of the bottle, designed by the founders of the brand.
See also rhum agricole.
Hamilton, Ed. “Neisson Rhum Blanc.” http://ministryofrum.com/rumdetails.php?name+Neisson%20Rhum%20Blanc&r=1213 (accessed April 30, 2021).
Payot, Marianne. “Dr Claudine Neisson-Vernant.” L’Express, October 30, 2003. https://www.lexpress.fr/informations/dr-claudine-neisson-vernant_653491.html (accessed March 4, 2021).
By: Martin Cate