Saint James

Saint James

Saint James – A Landmark of Martinican Agricole Rum

Founded in 1765, the Saint James distillery traces its roots to the Habitation “Trou Vaillant” in Martinique, where the Brothers of Charity, led by Père Edmond Lefébure, began distilling guildive made from molasses and cane juice residues. It was here that one of the most prestigious agricole rums of the French Antilles was born under the name Saint James — a name derived from “Saint Jacques” (“James” in English) used when exporting to North America.

As the years passed, Saint James innovated. In 1882, merchant Paulin Lambert acquired the estate, officially registered the Saint James brand, introduced a square-based bottle for more efficient packing in ship holds, and released the first vintage in 1885.

The eruption of Montagne Pelée in 1902 destroyed much of Saint-Pierre, yet Saint James survived — partially damaged — and resumed operations thereafter at new sites.

Today, the distillery is based in Sainte-Marie, on the Saint James Plantations, across several hundred hectares. This scale allows for near-total control of the production chain: cane cultivation, harvesting, distillation via Creole-style columns, ageing, and bottling. The house is renowned for its agricole rums under the A.O.C. Martinique, its white, amber, old, and vintage rums, and its very broad range. 

Saint James is open to visitors: the site offers tours (Rum Museum, Museum of the Still, vintage cellar), plantation rides on the Petit Train des Plantations, the restored Habitation La Salle, and a Rhum Workshop for tastings and special releases.

Today, tradition meets environmental awareness: reuse of by-products (bagasse), energy management, and respect for the Martinican terroir are central to their approach.