Guyana's first rum fair is being held this weekend in Cayenne

At the Hôtel des Palmistes, in the center of Cayenne, the rooms have been converted into tasting rooms. This Saturday, November 16, the first rum fair in Guyana opened its doors. It aims to promote regional know-how.

Once arrived, visitors have two hours to test the different vintages. “This is my first time at a trade show”, admits Edmond Chopard, a glass of Barbancourt from Haiti in hand.

I'm not a consumer, but I came to know a little, so as not to end up stupid and to at least have a taste.

Like him, other visitors are not necessarily big drinkers. This first show also attracts the curious. The event is a first in Guyana. It was co-organized on the initiative of Louise Bansard and Emma Dawe-Coz, two enthusiasts who grew up in Guyana, one working in project management, the other as a spirits salesperson. Nearly 700 people are expected for this first edition.

At the show, two spirits wholesalers are present. More than a tasting, the exhibitors want to discover their vintages.

Many rum producers made the trip. “We have the Saint-Maurice rum distillery”, presents Marion Pouget, co-organizer of the event.

We also have the territories of Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe. There are 13 exhibitors in total.

Martion Pouget, co-organizer of the show

The owners of the Saint-Maurice rum factory, bought in 2024 by the Bernard Hayot group, were also welcomed like real stars. The director, Ludovic Jacob, takes the opportunity to discuss the future of the only Guyanese rum factory which produces the famous Belle Cabresse.

“To date, it meets 50% of local production with a crushing production of 14,000 tonnes of cane per year”says Ludovic Jacob.

For the moment, we are mainly focusing on the cane sector to have sufficient volume and respond to the local market. Secondly, we will finish making the industrial tool more reliable to increase volumes.

Ludovic Jacob, director of the Saint-Maurice rum factory

The association “Les Toques Guyanaises” is also present at the Show. She has prepared a food menu combined with rum-based cocktails. The idea is to show that rum is not only consumed as an aperitif or digestive.

“We are testing this first rum fair with the population and we want to create a qualitative rather than quantitative event.explains Marion Pouget, co-organizer of the event. We hope that this first edition will give rise to a second which will be more substantial.”

During these two days of the show, concerts and conferences are also on the program. An exhibition on the history of Guyanese distilleries is open. The show will continue on Monday with a visit to the Saint-Maurice distillery in Saint-Laurent du Maroni for professionals in the sector.