Distillerie Dillon
 The Distillerie Dillon | |
| Industry | Rum |
|---|---|
| Products | Rhum Dillon |
| Website | Official website |
The Distillerie Dillon, located in Fort de France, Martinique, crafts a selection of rums derived from locally cultivated sugar cane. Its production is driven by a historic Corliss steam engine, which has been in operation since 1922.
History
Founded on terrain that has been farmed for sugar since 1690, this distillery carries the name of Arthur Dillon (1750–1794), a distinguished military figure and founder who fought alongside Lafayette during the American War of Independence. Following the conflict, Dillon expanded the estate’s sugar cane cultivation. His descendants played a pivotal role in the estate’s legacy, maintaining ties with Napoleon’s inner circle and promoting early anti-slavery initiatives on the plantation.
Process
Dillon grows ten distinct sugar cane varieties, harvested every two years. The cane is processed swiftly within a 2 to 3-day window to optimize sugar extraction. A mill powered by a steam engine crushes the stalks three times to obtain juice, which is then diluted and fermented. The leftover cane residue serves as fuel for the boilers that drive the distillery. Distillation is performed gradually in columns heated to 65°C, yielding a spirit at 65% alcohol content. This is then aged for five months before water is added to reduce the strength, with final bottling at 50–55% ABV.
==References==
==External links==*Official website